Vehicle File Swap is a method of obtaining vehicles not otherwise intended by the Mafia Series games.
Note: This procedure only applies to PC versions of the games.
Overview
Many players of Mafia III have expressed disappointment in the inability to add vehicles to the Vehicle Delivery menu. This guide will give players on PC versions of the game instructions on how to get around this issue. Keep in mind, you can't actually add cars to the menu, but you can replace ones already there with your own preferences. This same basic process can also be used in Mafia II to add vehicles and store them in your garage, see the Mafia II section below.
Warnings
This method involves altering game files on your computer's hard drive. While the process is relatively simple to do, we at the Mafia Wiki take no responsibility for any issues that may arise as a result.
Instructions
Backup Your Files
Prior to making any changes listed here it is highly recommended that you make a backup copy of the cars folder. On a typical installation you will find that folder here: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Mafia III\sds_retail\cars. If a backup isn't made and issues arise or you want to revert any changed files, your only option will be to redownload the game.
Game Updates
It's worth noting that future updates to Mafia III may overwrite any changes made to the cars folder. This is not usually an issue, but you may need to re-accomplish this process after new updates are downloaded.
Process
Once you have your backup copy made, the process of changing out cars is fairly simple. Lets say you want to add the Potomac GT to your delivery menu. The first step is deciding what vehicle you want to replace with it. In this example we're going to be swapping it with the Samson Drifter. You will need to know the vehicle file names in order to proceed, the Potomac GT's file name is "sports_muscle_a", and the Samson Drifter's file name is "lincoln_car". (For a full list of file names see the chart below.)
The next step is to temporarily copy the "sports_muscle_a" file, just right click on the file and drag it to your desktop, then select "Copy here". Make sure you select copy, not move. Now right click on that file and select "Rename", then type in "lincoln_car". Now left click on that file and move it back into the cars folder. When prompted, chose the "Replace file" option.
That's all there is to it, now when you order the Samson Drifter from the delivery menu, you will get the Potomac GT instead.
Finer Points
It's important to note that renaming a file will replace all vehicles in the game with the new vehicle. For this reason it's worth considering only swapping out vehicles like the Samson Drifter that are unique to the delivery menu. For example, if you were to swap out the Berkley Executive with another vehicle, all Berkley Executive in the game will spawn as that vehicle, which could impact your experience in other aspects of the game.
It's also important to keep the original files for the vehicle you're swapping in the cars folder. In the example listed above, if you were to completely remove the "sports_muscle_a" file, the game may crash, freeze up, or suffer other performance issues when it tries to load that vehicle in-game.
In-Game Usage
Once the files are swapped, they will exhibit the characteristics of the replacement vehicle. While the Vehicle Delivery menu will still list it as the Samson Drifter, the delivered car will be the Potomac GT in every aspect and the game will recognize it as such.
Most vehicles in the game have not been properly modeled with all the options available at Big Rick's Custom Auto. This is especially true of decals, the Potomac GT, Lassiter Mamba, and Potomac Independent are the only non-menu vehicles in the game files that have all the options and decals properly modeled for it.
There are also remnants of the games previous modification system contained in some files, many of them unfinished. For example, some vehicles may automatically add supercharges or spoilers to the car when those favors are unlocked or purchased and you will not be able to change or remove them at Big Rick's. Some of these upgrades are also unfinished and may exhibit an odd appearance.
Reverting changes
If you need to revert any changes made to the vehicle files, just replace them with the backup copies. Remember to copy the files from the backup folder into the cars folder when replacing them so your backup remains intact for future use.
Mafia III Vehicle File Names
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Mafia II
The process listed above can also be used in Mafia II to obtain cars as well. While the game does allow players to save most vehicles in their garage, this method can be helpful in getting cars before they unlock in-game or cars only found in DLCs.
Backup Your Files
Again, it is highly recommended to make a backup copy of the cars folder before attempting this process. On a typical installation you will find that folder here: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Mafia II (or Mafia II Definitive Edition) \pc\sds\cars.
Instructions
Lets say you wanted to get the Delizia Grandeamerica, which only appears in Joe's Adventures, in the main game and add it to your garage. The basic process is similar to what's detailed above, except we will be adding the original files back in afterward.
The first step is to pick another vehicle to replace it with. In this example we're going to replace the Quicksilver Windsor Taxi. The taxi makes a good choice as they spawn everywhere and are easily found. You will need to know the vehicle file names in order to proceed, the Delizia Grandeamerica's file name is "delizia_grandeamerica", and the Quicksilver Windsor Taxi's file name is "quicksilver_windsor_taxi_pha". (For a full list of file names see the chart below.)
The next step is to copy the "delizia_grandeamerica" file to desktop. Now you want to move (not copy) the "quicksilver_windsor_taxi_pha" file there as well. Now go into the cars folder and rename "delizia_grandeamerica" to "quicksilver_windsor_taxi_pha", then move the "delizia_grandeamerica" file back into your cars folder. Once you're done you can load your game and you should see the Delizia Grandeamerica anywhere the taxi would be.
Once you've added one to your garage and reached a save point, you can move the "quicksilver_windsor_taxi_pha" file back into the cars folder and restart your game. You can either delete the renamed file first, or just chose the replace file option when prompted.
Finer Points
Most vehicle files in Mafia II have two versions, one summer and one winter. The winter versions are distinguished with a "z" added to the end of the file name. When swapping files in the 1940s segment of the game you will need to rename the z version of the file or it wont appear in-game.
This method will also replace the vehicle if you have one stored in your garage. In the example listed above, any Quicksilver Windsor Taxi you had stored will be replaced with a Delizia Grandeamerica. This is only temporary, when you replace the original "quicksilver_windsor_taxi_pha" file back in the folder it will switch back in your garage when you reload the game.
Mafia II Vehicle File Names
add _z for winter version
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Cut Vehicles
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