This machine is a great way for you to get muddy.
Shawn Cormier, Canada’s rat rod maker, has something much cooler: a rat tank. The bizarre machine, which Cormier calls Tankenstein, is still a work-in-progress after five years of hard work. Cormier is always looking for ways to make his tank-car hybrid more powerful and visually appealing.
Cormier used all the mechanical parts available to create Tankenstein, much like Frankenstein’s monster. The track portion is from a Bren Gun carrier, a British infantry support vehicle that was lightly armored and built around World War II. Cormier adds the cab of a 1947 Mercury truck to the top. The window is made with original jagged glass. The engine is a 305-cubic inch (5.0-liter), 305-pound V8. It can reach speeds of 45 to 50 mph (72 to 80 km/h). Cormier has estimated Tankenstein’s build cost at $2,500. This is a great price for something so cool.
Cormier wears a military uniform when driving Tankenstein and even has a toy Tommy gun. The big Canadian flag that emerges from the pickup bed is a nice patriotic touch. However, it can get quite muddy.
Cormier is busy working on Tankenstein and other projects, such as the Black Widow Monster Trike. This strange rig has three massive wheels and runs gear from both the Chevrolet Chevette pickup and the S10 pickup. It is quite difficult to control. Cormier took the three-wheeler apart and finished the final touches to make it run.