The Jet-Powered VW Camper Van | RIDICULOUS RIDES
EVER wondered what happens when you mix a classic VW van with a single engine fighter jet? Look no further than Oklahoma Willy. Weighing in at 6600lbs and boasting a horsepower speed of 5,000, the vehicle was built by Perry Watkins from Buckinghamshire. After a night at the pub with friends, the idea of Oklahoma Willy was born. Perry told Truly: “We sit at the pub and come up with stupid ideas, I’ll then lock myself in the garage for five years and build it.” The owner of Perrywinkle Customs, Perry is no stranger to wild automotive creations. “It’s a bit like riding on top of a firework,” Perry explained. Taking around six years to build, Perry first bought a Rolls Royce Viper 535 jet engine, originally made in 1978. He stripped it down, polishing everything in aluminum, taking about two years to complete. Next, he added the after burner which took another six months work. Finally, he bought the VW pickup which had spent most of its life on a farm in Oklahoma, taking a further three years to finish. This rare and iconic vehicle is a prized possession of Perry, who doesn’t like to do something that has been done before.The top speed for the vehicle is 300mph, although the fastest Perry has gone is 157mph, an experience he describes as “exhilarating” but a “bit hairy”. The original engine sits in place making the vehicle street legal, providing you don’t fire up the jet. Perry describes the power as “one of the most incredible things you can ever experience.”
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Drag Combine Harvester V Shelby GT-350 | RIDICULOUS RIDES
HAVE you ever wondered what happens when you take a traditional Combine Harvester and put an epic spin on this old classic? In a remote part of Finland, farmer Harold Boyer has done just that. Complete with a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado 8.2 Litre V8 engine, this 1967 Fahr M44 is now more at home on the track, than on the farm. It weighs in at 40,000Ibs, packs 500 horsepower and has a top speed of 95mph - making it the fastest combine harvester in the world. Harold was at an exhibition in Finland when he saw the vehicle and met builder Petri who helped collaborate on the build. It took Harold and Petri about one and a half years to build it and was not difficult to design. Harold told Truly: “This combine dragster is made for fun. I like it because of the way it looks, also a very fast thing to drive." Harold does not race in a professional way, just at home and when he is with Petri. Petri said: “It's the world's fastest and we had fun when we made it. In Finland, it is boring and we have nothing to do and we made this.” When Harold and Petri are not turning vehicles into dragsters, they enjoy racing each other in their ultimate rides. Petri continued: “This is the ultimate ride, it’s fast and funny and dangerous. It’s the only one in the world. There is no dragster combine”. And the future looks bright for the dragster combine harvester, with Harold adding: "I will have this combine harvester in the future on the farm. I love it!”
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Vicious - The $1 Million Mustang| RIDICULOUS RIDES
SAY hello to the epic Mustang that has a $1 million price tag. If you’re planning to make a big impression at one of the largest car shows on the planet, you’re going to need an impressive machine. Shawn Davis, owner of Autotopia, an exclusive high end car storage and concierge facility in California, spent 10,000 hours with his team to create the 'Vicious Mustang'. Shawn said: "Everything about this car is aggressive, vicious, exceptional. It's like a completely different world - it's like an epic event every time you take this car out. It started with not a great ’65 Mustang, it needed a ton of work - metal work - it needed everything. And that was the idea, was to start with a low-dollar donor car.” This quest for perfection led to a final price tag of $1 million. And you can forget material comforts, this vehicle is a no-expense-spared performance-focused beast. Shawn continued: “This car has no air-conditioning in it, it has no heating in it, it has no stereo in it. We haven’t tested 0-60 speed, but we’re guessing it should be in the high 2’s - 2.8, 2.9 somewhere around there. It’s detuned 30% for what the max would be on this car. It’s making 1,003 horsepower at the rear wheels. If we completely uncorked the detune we could probably get somewhere in the neighbourhood of about 1,250 at the rear wheel. Top speed we don’t know yet because we haven’t actually had enough open road for it. It should be able to do somewhere around 230MPH. It really is a radically extreme race car. That was the intent, and that was what was accomplished with this."
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Bigfoot #5 - The World's Biggest Monster Truck | RIDICULOUS RIDES
THE WORLD’S HEAVIEST monster truck, Bigfoot #5, stands 15ft 6" tall and weighs a colossal 38,000lbs. The truck debuted in 1986 and was officially recognised by the Guinness World Records as “the world’s tallest, widest and heaviest monster truck” in 2002 - holding the record until today. Bigfoot was built by Bob Chandler in 1975 after he modified a Ford F-250 pickup truck. Since then, Bob has introduced over 20 Bigfoot trucks and has helped to invent the entire monster truck sport as we know it today. Bob said: “Bigfoot was the first. I’ve got the best. Nobody else can top it. Still amazes me when it drives down the street. People just stare, awe at this thing. It’s just one of a kind.” The truck resides at the company headquarters in Missouri and is now mostly used as a display vehicle.
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Amphicar - The Car That's Also A Boat | RIDICULOUS RIDES
WOULD you drive your car into the ocean? Say hello to the 'Amphicar' - an amphibious vehicle that can be driven into the body of any water. In the 1960s, West German designer Hans Trippel presented the 'Amphicar' in New York. Only 3,878 units were ever built by manufacturer Quandt Group between 1960 and 1965. But Kerry Cheese, who restores military vehicles for a living, bought one of these rare cars from Canada and spent around £35,000 to bring it back to its original state. Kerry said: “It didn’t really need too much work; it needed more mechanical work than body work." With a modest 38 horsepower from a 1,147 Triumph engine, its speed is certainly not its strong point: “You’ve got to remember to take everything just a bit slower,” explained Kerry. But Kerry was never aiming for speed - it's the freedom of being able to cruise on both roads and water that always stood out to the proud owner. He added: "The fun part comes when you come to the water, drive in, and then off you go down the river. It's one of the best feelings you can ever have."
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I Built The Ultimate Adventure Truck | RIDICULOUS RIDES
THE ULTIMATE overland camper has brought the world’s most comfortable off-road experience to life. Mike Hallmark oversaw the creation of the ‘Hellwig Rule Breaker’ - a 2016 Nissan Titan fitted with a 2017 Lance 650 camper, resulting in what Mike calls a “ridiculously limitless and over-the-top adventure-mobile”. Mike and his team at Hellwig Suspension Products came up with their unique design for the 2016 SEMA car show. The company’s Big Wig airbags in the vehicle’s wheel wells allow this one of a kind souped-up pickup to ride level with maximum comfort while navigating any terrain. Mike said: ”When you think of a camper you think of a white truck and a white camper, with a white-haired dude driving it at 45 miles-per-hour. We wanted to go the complete opposite, so we did a yellow truck, black camper with some graphics on it to really catch your eye and make a splash in the market.” The addition of the Hellwig rear sway bar provides enhanced control while carrying the camper, which features a full audio system, TV, fridge, bed, full-size wet bath, and living area. To accommodate all the added weight, Mike and his team also added Falken Wildpeak AT3W LT 325/65R18 tyres, which beefed-up the truck’s on and off-road handling capabilities. Mounted on the front bumper are Baja design lights, fog lights, projection lights, and a full light bar that allows the driver visibility while traveling at night or off-roading. The whole thing is powered by a Cummins 5.0L V8 turbo diesel engine.
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Meet Overkill - The Ultimate Peterbilt RatRod | RIDICULOUS RIDES
A self-confessed ‘gear head’ has taken his love for modification to a whole new level, by transforming his 1984 Peterbilt 359 semi-truck into a monstrous hot rod. Owner Jim Muncy, from Ohio, modified the vehicle so much that he named it ‘Overkill’, and in the space of just five months every component except for its original engine had been customised. When asked how he would describe Overkill, Jim said: “Raw, massive and unique. There’s just nothing else out there like it.”
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We Were Offered $9 Million For Elvis Presley's BMW | RIDICULOUS RIDES
AFTER years of neglect, a 1957 feather white BMW 507 that previously belonged to Elvis Presley has been fully restored - and is now the most 'valuable' of its kind in the world. Elvis owned the car when he posted in Germany as a US Army Sergeant, but later sold it when he returned to the US. Nobody knew what had happened to the famous car up until 2014, when automotive journalist Jackie Jouret discovered that it had been sitting in a pumpkin warehouse on the outskirts of San Francisco for over 30 years. Its new owner, named Jack Castor, had no idea about who the car had previously belonged to. Jackie said: “I got the feeling that he wasn’t a fan of Elvis in the slightest. We take the tarp off, and the car is in-tact but rough shape. An ordinary 507 is really a $1.2-1.5 million car, but with the Elvis association it suddenly becomes the most valuable 507 in the world.” After finding out about the car’s history, Castor sent the BMW to be restored, but he sadly passed away before it was completed. The car now features at the BMW Museum in Munich, mere miles away from where it was first manufactured.
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Mercedes Actros 2663 - The 75ft Lowrider Truck | RIDICULOUS RIDES
FEAST your eyes on this award-winning super customised Mercedes Actros 2663 lowrider truck. Dry powder transport vehicles aren't generally known for their good looks - but Helsinki, Finland is home to something a little different. Transformed into a lowrider, this pride-of-the-fleet truck is 75ft long and boasts a 630 horsepower. Arto Simola, one of the truck’s mechanics told Truly: “We tried to create something new and awesome looking. I think we have succeeded on that one.” To do this, the team used custom-made parts, out of stainless steel. Arto explained: “We have tried to modify almost everything, more horns, more sound – so people can notice us.” Unsurprisingly when transforming such a truck to a lowrider, off-the-shelf parts aren't an option. “Everything here is handmade, you cannot buy these from any store.” This lowrider project took one year to complete, because of the intricate details added to the vehicle. This included a handcrafted side skirt and bespoke wheels. The 75ft long truck boasts 630 horsepower from a 12-litre V6 engine, weighing just over 52,900 pounds. The distinctive look is completed by a 2,500-hour airbrush paint job. The truck isn’t just for show, it also serves industrial companies in the area – driving around 250 to 500 miles every day. Arto is proud of how the handcrafted truck has come together. “I think you put passion in creating something like this, it's about challenging yourself and doing something people haven't seen before. It’s really nice to work with the coolest truck in the world.”
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World Record: The Chrysler That Can Wheelie 2,500 Feet | RIDICULOUS RIDES
FUELLED by methanol alcohol, this Chrysler PT Cruiser currently holds a world record for the longest wheelie. Car enthusiast ‘Nitro’ Mike Kunz, of BC, Canada, has a long established passion for drag racing and chose to modify the vehicle into a wheelstander. He said: “I had to be different. PT Cruiser was the new age of the Hot Rod coming out. And in this business, most people have a truck for wheel standers, and I wanted to be a little bit different, out of the box. So PT Cruiser seems to be right up that alley.” With a top speed of 130mph, this car set the record for the longest wheelie at 2,500 feet in August 2012. But Mike is hoping to go even further and plans on breaking that record. He said: “I'm looking for a longer airstrip maybe California or something that has a long airport, where a guy could try and go maybe 5,000, 6,000 feet." Mike is somewhat of a legend on the racing scene and has travelled across the USA to show the car at different race tracks where fans can even sign its front end. Mike said: “The kids love signing the car. I wish I could have been able to do that when I was younger, you know, write on a hot rod car and watch it go down the racetrack.”
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Equus Bass 770 - The 200mph Muscle Car | RIDICULOUS RIDES
A LUXURY hand-built muscle car, Equus Bass 770, can take you from 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds and reach a maximum speed of up to 200mph. The impressive car, built to order, blends styling elements from the classic American muscle with modern-day technology and engineering and comes as one of the most expensive muscle cars currently sold, costing anywhere from $230,000. The Equus Bass 770 combines elements of the iconic Fastback Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger. Michael Shariff, co-owner of Equus Automotive Incorporated, says that the idea of Equus was born over 30 years ago; their company continues the legacy of the American muscle car era and until today Equus Bass 770 remains in great demand. He told Barcroft TV: “I wouldn't compare this car to any other classic cars because it's a car of its own. It has unique looks. It has a unique brand. It's a timeless masterpiece, and cannot be compared to any other cars. When I look at this car, I always have three words come into my mind; timeless, elegant, and classic.”
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Kymera - The Utterly Insane Chevy 4X4 I Ridiculous Rides
TRANSFORMING a standard truck into an offroad monster has been a passion project for one man and his team of genius engineers. Gregg Higgs is owner of Fab Fours, a car accessory manufacturer that has become known as the company behind some truly inventive custom car designs. Gregg and his team have now transformed a 2015 Chevy Colorado truck into a 4x4 beast named Kymera, that might just be the wackiest design from the team yet. Gregg told Barcroft Cars: “The whole point of Kymera is just to be over-the-top absurd. There's mild, wild, and then Kymera. It's just out of control.” The customized truck is powered by a 650 horsepower 5.9 litre Cummins Diesel engine. Front and rear steering and huge Fox shocks mean the Kymera is capable of traversing the most unpredictable terrain. From rock-crawling to desert-bashing, the impressive 9,000-pound machine can take on any challenge. The truck also features a 153-inch wheelbase, stands at around six and a half feet high, and has a top speed of 40 to 50mph. Gregg said: “Being in it, you can't see a whole lot. You can't hear anything. And you're just really holding on and pounding away and trying not to get beat up by the cage.”
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The Modified McLaren 720s That Hits 270mph | RIDICULOUS RIDES
A CAR dealership has taken speed to the next level - by modifying high-performance sports cars like this incredible McLaren 720s. The supercars at Wheels Boutique, Miami have record-breaking speeds, all down to their expert modifications. Owner and car modifier Alejandro Enrique told Barcroft TV: “We had the record for the longest time for the fastest McLaren in the world. Miami has a huge market for super cars. There's a lot of people who own them and there's a lot of people who modify them. So, it just attracts us as our business to do a lot of supercars.” The car enthusiasts at Wheels Boutique have been improving high end sports cars and supercars since 1999. Most of their work focuses on mounting high performance wheels, high speed balancing and suspension upgrades. But with this McLaren 720s they went that little bit further, teaming up with Pure Turbos to make one of the fastest cars in the world - even faster. The $300,000 car has a top speed of 270MPH and can do a quarter mile in 8.9 seconds – almost a whole second faster than the factory model.
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1973 Ford Falcon XA Superbird Restored To Former Glory | RIDICULOUS RIDES
AN OLD Ford Falcon XA Superbird has been given a new life after one man restored the car to surprise his father. Tommy Giankos’ father, Paul, bought the XA Superbird in 1973 - it was his very first car. However after an accident wrote the car off, it sat idle on their family farm. It wasn’t until 2013 when Tommy decided to rebuild it to the surprise of his father. Industry experts estimate that the car has increased significantly in value after its $100,000 revamp, but the family has no plans to let go of it just yet. Tommy said: “It took five and a half years, but it's pretty much a dream come true to think that I can drive this car now, when growing up I thought I’d never drive it again after what happened.”
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Big Pete - The World's First Monster Truck & Trailer | RIDICULOUS RIDES
The UK is home to the Monster Truck Nationals and in 2019 English monster legend, Mike Murty attempted a world first with his truck ‘Big Pete.’ Mike told Barcroft Cars: “We have planned for many years, and for the first time it will be seen this weekend - the world’s first monster truck and trailer, which we designed to be able to crush the cars.” Powered by a Big-Block Chevrolet V8 engine, three-speed automatic gearbox, and sporting Mega X BIB tyres - Big Pete is known to jump 15 feet and always puts on an amazing show. Mike explained why it was so special, “this is one of the only working monster trucks out there, still running leaf-sprung suspension - most drivers can't handle it because it is so hard on the body.” He continued, “it looks totally different from any other monster truck out there.” The first thing that anybody sees when faced with Big Pete is the truck’s most prominent feature - huge tyres, which cost over £3500 each. “The pressure that we run in these tires helps with the suspension”, Mike explained. Big Pete’s unique body is built with genuine steel and aluminum. "These trucks are car killing machines”, Mike said. “It is an awesome and yet awful thing to drive at the same time.” In the film, Mike and Big Pete attempt a world’s first - taking the truck and trailer over a fleet of cars.
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GMC Sierra Converted Into Insane 'Green Envy' | RIDICULOUS RIDES
STARTING from what was a standard pickup truck, Oklahoma car enthusiast couple Jose and Rocio Lopez have created the car of their dreams. Jose told Ridiculous Rides: "It is really unique and awesome." Originally, they only planned on changing the colour of their GMC Sierra: "I went to the shop for that colour change and two years later, this happened," Jose continued. One thing led to another and Green Envy now boasts a custom-made hand-engraved chrome grill, green neon lights and a fibreglass speaker box. Various coloured crystals and chrome hand engravings decorate the interior of the car, including the steering wheel and pedals. And the conversion project was very much a family affair. Rocio said: "I did help Jose with the design because this is a vision that Jose and I have." However one of the features that was added to the truck was not made as a joint decision... Jose decided to have a mural painted on the hood that depicts his wife. "It makes me feel so good," said Rocio. Jose added: "To me Green Envy is worth a lot just because we've been building memories with our family - it's worth a lot to me."
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'Mad Metal Scientist' Builds $200K Helmet Hot-Rod | RIDICULOUS RIDES
DESCRIBED as the ‘craziest’ car on the planet, a self-proclaimed ‘mad metal scientist’ has built a medieval machine entirely from scratch. AJ Bohata from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, built himself the ‘Medieval One’ after feeling inspired by a car and weapon collector. AJ told Barcroft Studios: “It’s made to look like it's old and made to look like it's evil." Made from a rack of steel, AJ spent $80,000 in materials to ensure it looked the part. “It’s not painted, we don’t want to hide the detail in the car.” What started out as a thousand-gallon propane tank is now a 1000hp hot rod car, complete with an onboard fire extinguisher, tilted steering wheel and a cannon that doubles up as a trunk. The car even has two hand carved snakes at the front to complete the medieval aesthetic. The snakes, totalling 996 scales, took AJ 40 hours per head to finish. Estimated to be worth $200,000, Medieval One is sure to turn heads wherever it goes. “I can be driving the car for five minutes, pull into the store and then people will be following me for ten miles.” Although AJ has to “change the tyres like your changing underwear” due to them being smoked out all the time, he insists this car is a labour of love and says he had a blast building it. When asked what his favourite part about his creation is, AJ said: “Driving it around and making people smile.”
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1979 Harvester Scout Given New High-Tech Life | RIDICULOUS RIDES
A TEAM of SUV enthusiasts have created the perfect combination of the late 70s style and up to date tech by fully transforming a 1979 International Harvester Scout. Harvester Scout was created as a competitor to the Jeep, and it initially featured a fold-down windshield, with later models being produced in Indiana as two-door trucks with a removable hardtop. Mike Austin, Marshall Cantrill and Cody Dabney, from Pensacola, Florida, customise vintage trucks to today’s modern needs. The award-winning team, from Velocity Restorations, purchased a Harvester Scout from Texas and customised the vehicle to an ultimate dream ride. Cody told Barcroft Studios: “The build cost on this truck is very unique, it costs about $275,000. The other parts are hard to find, it's not something you're going to build every day…This is what we call a full turnkey rotisserie restoration.” The team put in a 430HP 6.2 L LS3 engine, with a 4L70E transmission, Dana 44 axles in the front and rear, added larger tyres, added LED light bar, VR custom bumpers, VR custom roll cage, a custom 3-dual exhaust and changed suspension around to get “everything fit and feeling good.” Marshall said: “It's all about the detail and the time invested into making it right.” The team has kept the original look of the truck, as according to Cody, “If you start changing too many features, you don't stay true to the brand. People like these trucks because of the look of it. They like the classic look, but the modern drivetrain feels, and that's what's very important about keeping a look at the truck.” The truck not only looks impressive but has got all modern amenities that makes it a particularly enjoyable ride.
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We Built A Giant VW Beetle | RIDICULOUS RIDES
A CALIFORNIAN father and son have teamed up to supersize the classic Volkswagen Beetle. The VW enthusiasts upscaled the car by 40%, making it bigger than a Hummer. Scott Tupper, the younger generation of the duo, told Truly how the idea developed. “My dad and I thought it would be nice if we had a Volkswagen that was comfortable and not feel like you're going to get run over in traffic.” Once the idea was hatched, they went about making the dream into a reality. “We had a 59 Volkswagen convertible, we digitized it, scanned it everywhere, took it apart, and made each part 40% bigger on the computer.” Unsurprisingly, the vehicle has caused a lot of buzz on the roads. “People chase you to try to get up next to it, they almost run you off the road because they're not looking where they're going."
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My Ferrari Dino Was Found Buried In A Garden| Ridiculous Rides
Whilst this Italian classic might look like it’s been immaculately cared for since it left the showroom, it actually has an interesting story to tell. This 1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS was stolen and buried in the garden of a house in South Central LA. Four years after its burial, it was discovered by some young kids who were playing and digging in their garden. The car was in a terrible state and was returned to the insurance company. Despite its condition, the car’s current owner Brad Howard bought it in the late 1970’s and had it restored to how it looked originally. Brad has no plans on selling his prized car, and said: “For a car that got painted over 40 years ago, it’s still holding up pretty good.”
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I Built A 100mph Jet-Powered Go-Kart - In My Shed | RIDICULOUS RIDES
THIS is no ordinary go-kart - this home-made jet powered vehicle was built by Andy Morris, of Nottingham, UK - in his shed. Andy has always had an interest in jet engines, inspired by his dad and grandad who were both engineers and describes his builds as a hobby. Andy told Barcroft Studios: “I think the first one we were lucky it moved. I was amazed when it did move and I was even more amazed when we did 30mph in it.” Andy’s go-karts have come a long way since then and he and his friend Tom Bagnall took one go-kart to the next level. On 5th September 2015, they set a new Guinness World Record by racing the kart over 100mph. Andy said: “When we got the world record, for me it was wonderful. I mean 10 years of work, proven that we could do it.” With years of experience, Andy’s advice to others looking for the ultimate go-kart is: “Don't buy it. Build it.” But Andy’s not done yet and has built a new jet powered go-kart. Andy said: “This is a faster one, meaner one, and bigger engine. It's probably a third bigger, producing hopefully a third more power. Lighter though because the engine is completely unique.” Can this kart smash his world record? Andy’s going to put it to the test in his own back garden.
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200MPH Modified Ford Maverick Is A Beast | RIDICULOUS RIDES
AN award-winning 1971 Ford Maverick has made a name for itself in Ohio due to its turbo speed and perfect blend of classic and modern style. Owned by racing driver Jimmy Shaw, the Ford Maverick, which was originally produced as an economy car, has become a rule-bending ride – putting the 70s car back on the map. Jimmy told Ridiculous Rides: “I found this little car on eBay; I never would have thought it would turn out this way.” To produce his ‘hot rod’, Jimmy hired father-son duo Greening Auto Company to help revolutionise the old school ride into something much cooler. Having owned over 200 cars, Jimmy wanted to create a ‘maverick’ by taking something old and making it his own. Jimmy said: “I got to thinking, I’ve always wanted to run 200 miles an hour so I wondered if this car could do that.” Jimmy’s dreams were made a reality – the top speed is 202.7 miles per hour with 1200 horsepower. The multi-award-winning car has not only won prizes but also impressed both car enthusiasts and the general public. His favourite part about the car is the flair on the fenders as it retains the classic style whilst adding something new and exciting: “It looks so good and not out of place – a simple change.” For Jimmy, the car's individuality has meant it has quickly become one of his favourites. “This car is at the top of my list of all my cars right now, it’s just so different.”
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Corvette 'Door-Slammer' Smashes 200mph In 3.5 Seconds | RIDICULOUS RIDES
THE high-octane world of dragsters, one monster Corvette stands out for its ability to hit 200mph in three-and-a-half seconds. The 2014 “Screw Blown RVW” Corvette cranks out 3,800 horsepower and is owned by father and son team Mike Decker Jnr. and Mike Decker III, who race the “door-slammer” in drag races around the US. The duo, who have been racing for 15 years, own a salvage yard in Baltimore and have produced some of the meanest and fastest cars known to man – but the 2014 Corvette is the biggest and baddest creation yet. Mike Decker III told Barcroft Studios: “My car is fast, bad to the bone, and always on edge. It’s the ultimate ride because in an eighth of a mile, I’m running over 200mph. We are the ones to beat on race day.” Built in partnership with Gil Mobley Motorsports, the Corvette has broken multiple records and won multiple races since 2014. The Deckers’ incredible drag racer runs on a 526 Brad Anderson motor, sits on 315 Mickey Thompson tyres, and can finish an eighth of a mile race in three-and-a-half seconds. The two Mikes hone their skills by competing against one another in drag races, but say their rivalry is a friendly one. Decker III said: “I’ve been racing against my father for the past two-and-a-half years. It’s very competitive because we both bring out the best in each other. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who wins as long as one of us comes out on top.”
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Splinter - The World's First Wooden Supercar | RIDICULOUS RIDES
THE WORLD’S only wooden supercar, known as the "Splinter”, is a high-performance sports car that is estimated to be 90% wood. Fuelled by a lifelong desire to design and build his own car and inspired by a WWII airplane called the de Havilland Mosquito, designer and builder, Joe Harmon, from Mooresville, North Carolina, spent roughly nine years working on the Splinter with the help of his team. The Splinter began as a graduate school project at North Carolina State University and has continued since. Joe told Ridiculous Rides: “I’ve wanted to design and build my own car for my whole life. And we thought building it out of material like wood would present an interesting challenge that might make us do some out of the box things and it would make it a little bit more of a scholastic endeavour.” Joe said that the goal was to use wood in the construction of the car in every possible application - wood is our only naturally renewable building material, it is biodegradable and takes a small amount of energy to produce. Also, according to Joe, wood has a better strength-to-weight ratio than steel and aluminium. Every wooden part of the Splinter is made from composite construction. Each wheel consists of over 275 individual pieces. The wheel centres are made from rotary-cut oak veneer, covered by a walnut sunburst on the outside face and a cherry sunburst on the inside face. The Splinter's engine is a 7.0L small-block V8. The chassis is built almost entirely of wood composites, the body is made from woven strips of cherry veneer with a balsa core. Even though the car is not comfortable and may be impractical, Joe said that the goal in creating this car was to explore new ideas and perceptions of wood. He said: “The car was built as a design and build exercise to kind of show people what's possible and try to figure out for ourselves what we thought was possible.”
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1950s Aston Martin Restored To £400K Masterpiece | RIDICULOUS RIDES
AN ASTON Martin that was found in ‘barn find’ condition has been renovated - and is now worth £400,000. Nigel Woodward, the Managing Director at Classic Motorcars in Bridgnorth, UK bought the Aston Martin DB Mark III at an auction in 2015. Nigel told Ridiculous Rides: “So the car bought at an auction for way over its estimate at the time, which was £30,000-£40,000, and actually sold for a little over £100,000." The team shortly realised the car was in such bad condition that they had to make a whole new body for it. But after 4,500 hours of hard work, the classic car is back to its original condition. Nigel said: “We are always quite sad to see long term projects leave the business. The reason we do this is so that the owner can have something that they can enjoy. And when we deliver this to the owner, it will be just as though the car has been delivered to him new - back in the late 1950s by Aston Martin.”
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