World's Strangest Vehicles, Part 3

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11787852.post-74232337101769993182007-10-16T23:35:00.008-07:002009-01-20T09:26:59.626-08:00World's Strangest Vehicles, Part 3<img style="margin: 0px 20px 0px 0px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 41px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/RbhhjvQRmvI/AAAAAAAAADw/zQN-L8I5IBo/s400/b_quantumshot_cup.jpg" alt="" border="0" />"QUANTUM SHOT" #297 <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/10/worlds-strangest-vehicles-part-3.html">Link</a> Cars that are... different Read previous <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/07/worlds-strangest-vehicles-part-2.html">Part 2</a> and <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/04/worlds-strangest-vehicles.html">Part 1</a> Some are ugly, some are more than ugly, crossing into hideous, some are better looking and possibly better designed than most modern cars - you get all ends of the spectrum here. Since our last article in this series, we've received many tips about the cars we would not know (or recognize) otherwise. There is no end to people's creativity when it comes to one of most treasured perks of civilization - the automobile. Limos (and custom stretches) with identity disorders <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYBMlEn-LI/AAAAAAAA3s0/fuoOiqcUdfg/s512/01.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYBMlEn-LI/AAAAAAAA3s0/fuoOiqcUdfg/s512/01.jpg" /></a> - <a href="http://www.spikedhumor.com">via Spiked Humor</a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYACi2cnvI/AAAAAAAA3r8/-butPEN65V4/s512/02.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYACi2cnvI/AAAAAAAA3r8/-butPEN65V4/s512/02.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYAC41uq5I/AAAAAAAA3sE/hFKlVbp9734/s512/03.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYAC41uq5I/AAAAAAAA3sE/hFKlVbp9734/s512/03.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYAC0uwgaI/AAAAAAAA3sM/InevMshPD_8/s512/04.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYAC0uwgaI/AAAAAAAA3sM/InevMshPD_8/s512/04.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYADNRpH_I/AAAAAAAA3sU/QFnvkemon5s/s512/05.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYADNRpH_I/AAAAAAAA3sU/QFnvkemon5s/s512/05.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYFmm4IWJI/AAAAAAAA3tU/6pQaundkkxA/s512/06.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYFmm4IWJI/AAAAAAAA3tU/6pQaundkkxA/s512/06.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYFm469HdI/AAAAAAAA3tc/KHPmg7d1FYA/s512/07.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYFm469HdI/AAAAAAAA3tc/KHPmg7d1FYA/s512/07.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYFnGZvQqI/AAAAAAAA3tk/fjjXFtJF6UU/s512/08.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYFnGZvQqI/AAAAAAAA3tk/fjjXFtJF6UU/s512/08.jpg" /></a> This super-limo from Japan (electric-powered KAZ) is all about efficiency and performance, but looks like a mutated caterpillar with a few legs missing. Read more about it <a href="http://www.electrifyingtimes.com/kaz.html">here</a>. <a href="http://www.electrifyingtimes.com/kaz.html"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYFndqSALI/AAAAAAAA3ts/rCKnF4_lG44/s512/09.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.electrifyingtimes.com/kaz.html"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/SXYFnSteqUI/AAAAAAAA3t0/ajmb9X_om44/s800/10.jpg" ></a> Speaking of extra wheels, this configuration seems to perform very well on a racetrack: <a href="http://keskustelu.plaza.fi"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1198/779141997_cd4d9a00fa.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://keskustelu.plaza.fi"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1299/780031962_c4b3730d06.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://keskustelu.plaza.fi"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1100/779155863_5678191bed.jpg" ></a> (image credit: <a href="http://keskustelu.plaza.fi">keskustelu.plaza.fi</a>) Off-Roading Beasties "This abomination was seen at the Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo" (sent in by <a href="http://hewgill.com">Greg Hewgill</a>) <a href="http://hewgill.com"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1046/1131319912_7fe33b824b.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://hewgill.com"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1171/1190540259_e8a8806750.jpg" ></a> 4-axle SUV (looks like it's a confident rock-climber) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1067481578&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1262/1067481578_fbf7d3f3ea.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1066618221&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1158/1066618221_e59b9c3fa0.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=606788560&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1102/606788560_4e3fa0b106.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=606788306&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1385/606788306_affd35ba01.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1606071775&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2288/1606071775_f88ddec1a3.jpg" ></a> "Big Foot" in Orlando, Florida: 1996 Ford F250 pickup body with a 460 cu inch V8 for power. Bigfoot weighs 28,000 lbs (12700 kg) and stands 15 feet 6 inches tall. The enormous tires are from an Alaskan Land Train, a vehicle used by the US army in the 1950's. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=606787688&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1217/606787688_0788fb464f.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=143066905&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://static.flickr.com/52/143066905_caa481b255.jpg" ></a> photo by Avi Abrams Here is that Land Train (a most beautifully weird vehicle in itself) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1603035675&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2415/1603035675_5f6ba153d9.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1603035935&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2226/1603035935_c850a147f1.jpg" ></a> Here is another cool-looking vintage off-road vehicle: "Mobile Geological Laboratory" GEOLAB from 1970. From "A Source Book of Unusual Vehicles" by Gordon and Marjorie Davies <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/13052111@N00/520790675/in/pool-intheyear2000/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2411/1597947264_d2fc613846.jpg" ></a> (image credit: <a href="http://flickr.com/people/13052111@N00/">cdfarnsworth</a>) An all-electric off-road <a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/06/14/huh-a-jacked-up-off-road-all-electric-gem-atv/">GEM</a> is spaced-out ATV version, jacked up and ready to frolic in the dunes: <a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/06/14/huh-a-jacked-up-off-road-all-electric-gem-atv/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2142/1602571881_9ebd165dc6.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/06/14/huh-a-jacked-up-off-road-all-electric-gem-atv/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2091/1602607377_425dd0447e.jpg" ></a> (images credit: <a href="http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/06/14/huh-a-jacked-up-off-road-all-electric-gem-atv/">autobloggreen</a>) Can't make a "strange vehicle" article without mentioning some little-known variations on SUV theme from Russia: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=532489130&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1379/532489130_ce5505be3a.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=995373078&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1169/995373078_88f8069ea8.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=532591719&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1141/532591719_8075fd1944.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=703719794&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1307/703719794_8d4c1061ec.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=702840367&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1004/702840367_0f3ba189b9.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1408256637&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1257/1408256637_5d9a2be2da.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1409136666&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1262/1409136666_bfb41d9bce.jpg" ></a> Rare Soviet van concept, 1966: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1044192869&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1294/1044192869_f90d211768.jpg" ></a> Another rare Russian concept (they did not seem to take better pictures at that time in Russia) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1367574634&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1022/1367574634_f0f97bf046.jpg" ></a> On <a href="http://englishrussia.com/?p=1112">English Russia</a> site there is a nice page about Leonid Brezhnev's exclusive all-wheel drive "Volga" modification. Only 5 copies of Gaz-24-95 have been made for the communist leader, who liked to use it for his hunt outings in the country. <a href="http://englishrussia.com/?p=1112"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2145/1597497504_fcfd679f94.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://englishrussia.com/?p=1112"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2194/1597498578_f00d266a82.jpg" ></a> In our own archives we found this mysterious Russian concept: (it seems to be amphibious, too) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1044177851&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1168/1044177851_2be24a0e70.jpg" ></a> Trust the Russians to mix a tractor with a sports car: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1580594200&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2045/1580594200_687b88ba5d.jpg" ></a> Holland produced some weirdest looking cars, too - this is the first Dutch post-war car "Gatso": <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1606444426&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2027/1606444426_02342ee542.jpg" ></a> (image credit: <a href="http://blog.modernmechanix.com">Modern Mechanix</a>) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1605551483&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2335/1605551483_612b5baca6.jpg" ></a> Coming back to modern times, there seems to be a new rage about canopied car/bike performance vehicles, at least in Europe: Monotracer, the epitome of cool? <a href="http://www.peraves.ch/">"MonoTracer"</a> from the Swiss company Peraves (who also for many years built the iconic "Ecomobile") is a fun sporty vehicle. "Ferry Porsche once remarked that the last car to be built on earth would surely be a sports car. Monotracer is the perfect combination of a sporty touring motorcycle and a real "lean machine" sports car." It's a cabin motorcycle performance vehicle, with the only obvious drawback - the price. For 52,000 Euros you can also buy yourself an SLK. But they also promise the performance of Porsche 911. <a href="http://www.peraves.ch/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2190/1596733404_472a5251d7.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.peraves.ch/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2181/1595846225_bb63e0239f.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.peraves.ch/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2172/1595843767_2949089499.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.peraves.ch/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2099/1595844339_26cb099af3.jpg" ></a> (images credit: <a href="http://www.peraves.ch/">Peraves</a>) Acceleration 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) = 5.7 sec. Top speed in excess of 250 kph. (155 mph) Here is the older EcoMobile, quite popular in Switzerland (they have been around for 15 years). Eric Mortelmans tipped us of its existence and said that it was a fantastic experience to drive in one. The company covered 12 million miles on "Ecomobile" tours around the globe, crisscrossing USA without a single technical problem, if you believe the site. <a href="http://www.peraves.ch/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2082/1596022551_638b180998.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.my-mc.com"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/1596023471_a57e4212ee.jpg" ></a> (images credit: <a href="http://www.my-mc.com">Micheal Moore (MaxPower)</a>) Vehicles from the same school of thought as "Monotracer" - The Carver, which we mentioned in <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/09/future-tech-review-part-2.html">Future Tech 2</a>. The Carver has been covered by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6vx98DjcVc">Top Gear</a> (who were absolutely ecstatic about it!) and has a pretty neat <a href="http://www.carver-worldwide.com/Home/Index.asp?nc=1">website</a>. <a href="http://www.carver-worldwide.com/Home/Index.asp?nc=1"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2244/1597020286_8690bbe8af.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.carver-worldwide.com/Home/Index.asp?nc=1"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2297/1596132365_4acb39286e.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.carver-worldwide.com/Home/Index.asp?nc=1"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2053/1596133775_9e2aa41864.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.carver-worldwide.com/Home/Index.asp?nc=1"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1008/532489378_e1c744d8c0.jpg" ></a> (images credit: <a href="http://www.carver-worldwide.com">Carver</a>) The Dynamic Vehicle Control (DVC) automatically tilts the cabin, depending on the steering input, speed and acceleration of the vehicle, much like a motorcycle. See how it negotiates corners <a href="http://www.carver-worldwide.com/Photo_Album/photo.asp?S_ID=28&A_ID=43&nc=1">here</a>. Another iteration: "Acabion GTO" (see lots of pics <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/acabian-gto/">here</a>) Neat little airplane...er, bike. It's no joke - "Acabion" is technically the world's fastest production car at 342 mph! <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/acabian-gto/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2116/1603394392_5092bcf420.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/acabian-gto/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2174/1602519821_fb57b79137.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/acabian-gto/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2066/1603391432_069b22df8f.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/acabian-gto/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2211/1602500647_3220b0c729.jpg" ></a> (images credit: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a>) "Mercedes" also weighs in on the concept: they unveiled F-300 LifeJet way back in 1997 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1596076245&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2398/1596076245_fe3a779a33.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1596964140&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2006/1596964140_52724a5f27.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1596964550&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2296/1596964550_25d7b62112.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1596077291&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2172/1596077291_15c31e4927.jpg" ></a> Consider it a joke, but all these vehicles seem to stem from this futuristic golf cart: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/89539164@N00/1294568217/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/1597768078_c5e8b57033.jpg" ></a> (image credit: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/89539164@N00/">toy4bbws</a>) More strange roadster concepts: Corbis "Merlin", 2001 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kielbryant/108360598/in/set-72057594137096110/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2067/1596679899_b139ae765a.jpg" ></a> (image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kielbryant/108360598/in/set-72057594137096110/">Kiel Bryant</a>) Here is an older one, but still futuristic looking: "Modulo" from Pininfarina, 1970 <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1597625008&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2175/1597625008_1672c6c40f.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kielbryant/70661593/in/set-72057594137096110/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2028/1596703793_ef77e60f8c.jpg" ></a> (image credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kielbryant/108360598/in/set-72057594137096110/">Kiel Bryant</a>) <a href="http://www.rqriley.com/tri-mag.html">Tri-Magnum</a> was offered as DIY kit "car" since 1983: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1134369662&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1366/1134369662_509d3c527c.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1605662461&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2340/1605662461_356dfe91d1.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1606556170&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2309/1606556170_158ad9177b.jpg" ></a> (images credit: <a href="http://www.rqriley.com/tri-mag.html">Tri-Magnum</a>) ---------- BIKES Solar "Under"-Powered? This one is powered by the solar batteries, and looks pretty good. Made by Spanish company <a href="http://www.sun-red.com/">SunRed</a>, it uses a clamshell panel structure, which extends when the bike is parked and stores energy for the coming rides. The ride is pretty "exhilarating": 13 miles at (under-whelming) 30 mph. <a href="http://www.sun-red.com/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2032/1602998234_4c65fead9f.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.sun-red.com/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2309/1602999164_5a3c243f0f.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.sun-red.com/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2116/1602998836_05cb397ee6.jpg" ></a> This one is solar-powered AND fast: (created by Marcel da Luz from Toronto) <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1272/1057787914_190a7dcc34.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2187/1596865843_444610c937.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2225/1596866153_7c2d16335c.jpg" ></a> (images credit: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/radionoonnl/information.html">cbc.ca</a>) Bike / ATV hybrids STi-ATV is admittedly the best improvement on Subaru Impreza that we've ever seen. Made in New Zealand by Ken Brough, it has a <a href="http://www.stiatv.co.nz/">website</a>, showing off that wonderful "kiwi" ingenuity. <a href="http://www.stiatv.co.nz/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2355/1603765918_e6d9ec820b.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.stiatv.co.nz/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2084/1603766732_f8e774ee73.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.stiatv.co.nz/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2176/1603767692_e69cdea424.jpg" ></a> (image credit: <a href="http://www.stiatv.co.nz/">Ken Brough</a>) This also seems to be good tricycle concoction - a new scooter from Piaggio, <a href="http://www.piaggio.com/">Fuoco 500</a>. <a href="http://www.piaggio.com/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1291/702834693_aac9944d12.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=466743073&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/232/466743073_7034308dbd.jpg"></a> (Source: <a href="http://www.italscooter.net/1news/1news000082.html">www.italscooter.net</a>) The Rapom V8 is the most powerful motorcycle in Britain and it runs on pure alcohol. What a great selling line for an uber-macho-cool machine (with 1000 horse powers)! We're sold. <a href="http://www.dailymotos.co.uk"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2023/1604097768_cbf4e55b93.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.dailymotos.co.uk"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2036/1603207101_7026acd876.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.dailymotos.co.uk"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2075/1603208103_e722a17db4.jpg" ></a> (images credit: <a href="http://www.dailymotos.co.uk">dailymotos</a>) Another empowering bike: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=995333696&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1326/995333696_06446b61a4.jpg" ></a> Rough draft: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=532491160&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1251/532491160_7d1dc23107.jpg" ></a> Comfortable? <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1486046439&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1437/1486046439_0a68d515f6.jpg" ></a> Take your BBQ with you: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1455770081&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1385/1455770081_8a8d646f9d.jpg" ></a> Normal bike, unusual biker: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=406257482&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/132/406257482_d5528eed85.jpg" ></a> This one is only a toy, we hope: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=709206851&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1222/709206851_bdbfe56f49.jpg" ></a> Weirdness Potpourri There is something about this idea: combine an 18-wheeler with a convertible. Certainly makes a statement: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1579673193&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px; width:500px" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2169/1579673193_63ba22f77d.jpg" ></a> This is one hot tractor: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1096723879&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1284/1096723879_acd1b62d4a.jpg" ></a> School buses are frequent victims of malicious customization: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1156942826&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1301/1156942826_7db00a311e.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=388777366&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/388777366_77e05f5619.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=606788898&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1141/606788898_c40fb4a202.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.tomkennedyart.com/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1212/552361126_8c3e35301f.jpg" ></a> Read more about this topsy-turvy bus <a href="http://laughingsquid.com/topsy-turvy-bus-tours-us-questioning-budget-priorities/">here</a >. Created by ever-amazing <a href="http://www.tomkennedyart.com/">Tom Kennedy</a> (see more auto-monsters on his site). Wooden Wonder, Hentai-style: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=606797374&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1118/606797374_a8af4edc27.jpg" ></a> The device to dirty up your legs: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1058113129&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px; width:500px" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1361/1058113129_ba48e9590f.jpg" ></a> Awww... cuteness: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=1119039614&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1037/1119039614_5e6ead2014.jpg" ></a> Vehicles as Art The beauty, as always, is in the eye of a beholder: (real-life versions of the classic Hanna-Barbera "Wacky Races: cartoon) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=830846291&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1111/830846291_0842b6236e.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=830845739&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1016/830845739_52449a1327.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=830845159&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1084/830845159_9195deceaa.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=831711604&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1205/831711604_7c62bcd061.jpg" ></a> (sent in by Laura Adler) ring...ring... <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=710085038&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1380/710085038_9e9531e136.jpg" ></a> Mercedes covered in pens? Yes, you heard right. The more pens, the merrier. (see owner's <a href="http://pen-guy-photos.blogspot.com/">website</a>) <a href="http://pen-guy-photos.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1309/836253798_5d2cba1eed.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://pen-guy-photos.blogspot.com/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1081/836254370_6f9a383de2.jpg" ></a> (image credit: <a href="http://pen-guy-photos.blogspot.com/">Costas Schuler</a>) Car covered in computer keyboard buttons: <a href="http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R3WB4EKUenI/AAAAAAAACFg/UM7bQWug6Wg/s1600-h/1696775889_6ad9883502_o.jpg"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px; width:500px" src="http://lh6.google.ca/abramsv/R3WB4EKUenI/AAAAAAAACFg/UM7bQWug6Wg/1696775889_6ad9883502_o.jpg?imgmax=512"></a> Bamboo-camouflaged WWII Willys Jeep: <a href="http://www.pia.gov.ph/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2281/1603526752_6918aa630c.jpg" ></a> (image credit: <a href="http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=30&af=impakabsat&ap=3&fi=051020limo.jpg&txt=yes">pia.gov.ph</a>) This modern Rinspeed eXasis looks like it can be made out of bamboo, too. It's marketed as "glass" car, however, with clear plastic body over insectoid aluminum frame. <a href="http://salon-auto.ch"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2206/1603558952_dfd01f1f9e.jpg" ></a> Photo courtesy salon-auto.ch What, another shoe car? <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=495711345&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/197/495711345_436a2d6c66.jpg" ></a> Product-branded (Promotional) cars They are weird examples of "kitsch" art, marketing gone wrong. Seriously, would you re-consider your buying habits, looking at these gaudy creatures? There were lots made, most in a very questionable taste, but here are a few that we like (sort of..) "Pep-O-Mint", 1918 driver sits in the middle of the "O": <a href="http://www.ralphmag.org/DL/funny-vehicles.html"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2054/1603226396_e625c44891.jpg" ></a> (image credit: <a href="http://www.ralphmag.org/DL/funny-vehicles.html">George W. Green</a>) "Zippo" sheer weirdness, based on Chrysler Saratoga New Yorker in 1947: (complete with neon flames) <a href="http://www.hotrodsetc.net"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2211/1602348927_fdae6ad8e2.jpg" ></a> (image credit: <a href="http://www.hotrodsetc.net">hotrodsetc</a>) <a href="http://www.shorey.net"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2197/1602349767_c6ded397c2.jpg" ></a> (image credit: <a href="http://www.shorey.net">Brian Shorey</a>) <a href="http://www.city-data.com"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2308/1602411539_52dff2db09.jpg" ></a> (image credit: <a href="http://www.city-data.com">Jake Petersen</a>) The following car is such a classic, that it transcends the "genre": Planters made out of RV: <a href="http://www.prototypesource.com"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2086/1603221868_79d3e19140.jpg" ></a> (image credit: <a href="http://www.prototypesource.com">prototypesource</a>) <a href="http://www.neatorama.com/2007/05/24/here-comes-the-spammobile/">Neatorama</a> documents more instances of marketing-inspired vehicle madness. Other Creative Means of Transportation Not necessarily cars, these wheeled beauties will bring you to your destination in all kinds of styles, with a good chance to attract a crowd of on-lookers. This one is actually pretty neat. Subtitled "Surf Your Life!", this <a href="http://www.easy-glider.com/">Easy Glider</a> from Switzerland can revolutionize the commuting office crowd into a wild bunch of boarders: <a href="http://www.easy-glider.com/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/1603143791_52b4b35763.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.easy-glider.com/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2396/1604035490_7f31ec7513.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.easy-glider.com/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2374/1604036358_3bded85412.jpg" ></a> And it costs only $1,023 USD! <a href="http://www.easy-glider.com/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1319/847902096_aa5e4e7e3c.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.easy-glider.com/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1025/847903184_5d946010f1.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.easy-glider.com/"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1229/847902644_55599dd9f7.jpg" ></a> (image credit: <a href="http://www.easy-glider.com/">Easy Glilder</a>) What IS this thing?? - Well, turns out it's a "HyperBike". Powered by both arms and legs and capable of speeds of 50 mph. See more <a href="http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/070122_technov_nasa_bike.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.hyperbike.info/">here</a>. (thanks, Maeks) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=401663740&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/401663740_f745cdd27b.jpg" ></a> Car on Legs. Next we'll see some legs, mounted on a car. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=506518597&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/223/506518597_be52df7878.jpg" ></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=506518671&size=o"><img style="margin:10px 10px 0px 0px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/224/506518671_90f81f1259.jpg" ></a> Nice to have your car to come to you, bowing to "its master" and almost wiggling its tail. Send us more ridiculous and cool vehicles you find around you. <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/TheThrillingWonderStory" title="Subscribe to my feed" rel="alternate" type="application/rssXml"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 20px 0px 0px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/ST2cT6PQWkI/AAAAAAAAuc4/7VTPdcSTgXE/s800/dailyDRBgif.gif" /></a><a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/04/worlds-strangest-vehicles-part-4.html">CONTINUE TO PART FOUR! -></a> Read previous <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/07/worlds-strangest-vehicles-part-2.html">Part 2</a> and <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/04/worlds-strangest-vehicles.html">Part 1</a> <a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/10/worlds-strangest-vehicles-part-3.html">+StumbleUpon <img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hVOW2U7K4-M/RkwyjU1gWGI/AAAAAAAAAek/sU4P1vUFRxQ/s400/stumble+copy2.jpg"></a> <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/10/worlds-strangest-vehicles-part-3.html">Permanent Link</a>...<a href="http://del.icio.us/post" onclick="window.open('http://del.icio.us/post?v=4&noui&jump=close&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&title='+encodeURIComponent(document.title), 'delicious','toolbar=no,width=700,height=400'); return false;"><img src="http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif"></a> Category: <a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/01/category-auto-concept-cars.html">Auto</a>,<a href="http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2007/01/category-weird.html">Weird</a> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/11787852-7423233710176999318?l=www.darkroastedblend.com'/></div>Avi Abramshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12550929795356812957noreply@blogger.com21