Southwest Florida · A Community Give-Back Build
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THE JURASSIC PROJECT
A Passion Project By Alex Mendez
A Project 65 Million Years In The Making
A dream come true ten years ago, sold out of necessity — and then Life Found A Way to bring it back. Now it's time for the Jurassic Project to move forward and give Southwest Florida something new and exciting.
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How It Started
Built By Hand. Sold For Family. Brought Back By Fate.
Ten years ago, Alex Mendez built the original SWFL T-Rex Jeep — a custom, Jurassic-inspired Wrangler, welded and wrapped one weekend at a time in his own driveway. It turned heads on every trail and every street it rolled down.
Then life happened. After years of hoping through the hard road of infertility, the Mendez family got their miracle — Ellie was born. To provide for his growing family, Alex made the difficult call to sell the Jeep he'd poured his heart into.
Three years later, that very same Jeep turned up for sale again — and Life Found A Way to bring it home. Alex bought it back on the spot. This time, the build isn't just for Alex. It's for every kid who sees it roll by and can't stop smiling.
10 Yrs
Since The Original Build
3 Yrs
Before It Came Back
1 Jeep
Full Circle
The Build, Step By Step
From First Weld To Full Roar
From the love of dinosaurs and Jeeps, Rexy was born — a decade-long story, told in five chapters.
A Few Years On
Sold, Reluctantly
Life calls for a hard decision, and the Jeep finds a new owner.
Right Now
The Rebuild Begins
New paint, new armor, new roar — this time built for the community.
10 Years Ago
Rexy Is Born
Alex builds the original T-Rex Jeep by hand, one weekend at a time.
What's Next
Sparked Jurassic Racers
The passion behind the Jeep grows into a business for kids' parties.
3 Years Later
Bought Back, Like Magic
The very same Jeep resurfaces for sale. Alex doesn't think twice.
The Mission
A Community Give-Back Project, Not A Trophy
The Jurassic Project isn't being rebuilt to sit under a car cover. Alex's goal is simple: bring the T-Rex Jeep to local events, school pickups, birthday surprises, and community meet-ups across Southwest Florida — and watch kids light up the way he did the first time he fired it up.
Every mile on the rebuilt Jeep is a mile given back to the community that's supported Alex's family business for years.
Local Community Appearances
The Jeep shows up at local parks, festivals, and neighborhood events — just for the smiles.
Kids' Meet & Greets
Photos, roars, and up-close looks at the build for every kid who's ever wanted a real-life dino ride.
Local Fundraisers
The Jeep lends its spotlight to school fundraisers and charity drives across Lee, Collier & Charlotte counties.
The Build In Photos
Follow The Journey So Far
From mud runs to driveway details — every stage of bringing the T-Rex Jeep back to life.