We have a large empty wall in the kitchen and I wanted a large vintage sign for the space. Vintage signs are expensive, the large ones are really expensive, and I really didn't want something impersonal on that wall. With that in mind I started design work on a fake vintage sign that matches our family. It would welcome visitors, display the services offered here at the house, and would include lighting and robotics.
I eventually settled on the Valley Motel in Las Vegas. They once had a classic neon sign that included the famous cowboy known as Vegas Vic and lots of neon. I modified the design and came up with something that fit our house and then scaled it to fit the wall. This was a fun build that involved motorized robotics as well as my first use of electroluminescent wire.
The Valley Motel in Las Vegas used to have a great neon sign. My room has a red wall so my sign colors are blue and there were some modifications to the layout. 
This project features fake neon and an electric motor. We are drilling the hole for the electric switches that will control these functions.
Test fit with the main box and cowboy header. 
Painting the main box. It is hollow inside to make room for the electronics and animatronics that will be added later.
First coat of paint. The cowboy turned out to be way too small and we had to rebuild him.
The old cowboy on top of the new one. The difference in size is obvious.
The mount is a 1x2 strip of pine screwed into three studs with two metal flanges. The main board has a horizontal cross beam that sits on top of this strip and the flanges keep it from slipping off. 
Cutting the four amenity signs on the table saw. The signs will advertise Wi-Fi, Diner, Arcade, and Color TV services offered at the house.
Painting the cowboy.
Partially painted cowboy on the sign with the amenity sign mount on the left.
A disco ball motor makes everything work by turning a wooden cam. The wire push rod is from a coat hanger.
Everything mounted and connected. The motor rotates at 2 RPM and the cam converts the motor's circular movement to the back-and-forth movement required by the hand.
The main board and animatronic hand mounted to the wall.
Test fitting the four amenity signs. They are white with primer and the final color will be black. Wi-Fi, Diner, Arcade, and Color TV will be advertised.
Wiring up the power coupling for the drive motor and neon.
The projector properly aligned and ready to project five lines of hotel fonts onto the main board.
Painting the letters as outlined and traced by the projector.
Test fit with most of the components in place. Half of the Air Conditioned letters are iced but everything else is painted as it will appear when complete. 
84 feet of green, white, orange, yellow, and blue 5mm Electroluminescent Wire. This stuff lights up like neon, just not as bright, and is very flexible. 
Feeding the electroluminescent wire through the cowboy and set up the standoffs, and tightening the zip ties on the back. 
Amenity sign lettering complete.
Applying color to the amenity signs.
Some electroluminescent wire shorted out and we had to replace it.
All lighting complete and operational. The No in No Vacancy is deliberatly unlit because we are always happy to have guests here.
The completed sign.