Although it was built in 1990s, it isn’t exactly fast.
There were once roller skates. People would go to indoor roller rinks and lace up their wheeled skates. They’d then spend an hour trying to look cool while they fell. It was the 1970s. There were worse ways of injuring yourself.
It was not uncommon for waitstaff to be seen in roller skates at a drive-in restaurant, serving customers while maintaining a remarkable balance. This crazy car-sized skate is an inspiration. The driver can sit at the top, looking out over the world from a 14-foot height while the Chevrolet engine rattles below. Say hello to the Roller Skate Car.
This wild ride is clearly completely unique, down to the frame which was made from a mix of parts. The power comes from the 5.7-liter Chevy Volt, which is connected to an automatic transmission and a solid axle that drives the rear wheels. The engine and transmission are quite high above the axle so you won’t see a driveshaft. A chain runs down to the differential. If that sounds a little sketchy, it is because this is a huge freaking fiberglass roller skate. The whole thing is sketchy.
This is no joke. It stands 14 feet tall, but is only 13 feet long. The vehicle has a very short wheelbase and is not the most stable in the world. The top speed is around 20 mph. However, it’s not known if this is a mechanically limited speed or if the speed is the speed at which the driver runs the risk of certain death. This is especially true when the car doesn’t have suspension. The undercarriage is only supported by four dragster tires. They are not designed for grip, but rather because they look like large roller skate wheels.
It is not fast. It is a little difficult to drive. It is not practical. It’s not practical, but we can’t deny it’s quite cool. It’s hard to imagine anything like it in today’s ever-expanding universe of bizarre automotive projects.