Posted on 10/10/2006 10:25:29 PM PDT by george76
Driver Stephen Ellison keeps bringing traffic grinding to a halt - by going to town in a 7.5 tonne tank.
The father of one has left other motorists stunned after shelling out £14,000 on a 1974 Sabre light reconnaissance tank.
Now 42-year old Stephen uses the military vehicle instead of a car for shopping trips - zooming round at up to 40mph near his home in Winsford, Cheshire, drawing astonished looks from fellow motorists and passers-by.
"Young and old alike are fascinated with it," said Stephen, a former Territorial Army soldier. "It really unites people.
"The tank's 30mm gun is deactivated and...the rubber tracks it has fitted to protect the road.
"But the tank's covered through a classic military vehicle insurance policy, it's taxed at £165 a year, it's MOT exempt and runs on unleaded fuel. But costs about £300 to fill the tank.
"...nothing quite like my tank which has a 4.2litre engine."
"The tank, which cost £500,000 brand new, was used in Kosovo which is quite different from its use nowadays," said Stephen, who is a road breakdown mechanic for a private firm.
"But I love it and it really brings people out in smiles. I get lots of thumbs up and people beeping at me.
"I take the tank to military shows to show it off, but I am more than happy when I'm in the street if people come over for a look or a sit inside.
"Kids love it. People never get a chance to touch a fast car like a Ferrari and the tank brings out the same thrill for people.
"One lad asked me the other day if I would take him and his girlfriend to the school prom in it...
if it gets kids interested in the military, that's great.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
I recall from many years ago, a fellow in SoCal who drove a WWII German Panzerwagon to and from work on the freeway. He owned a company that rented military props to movie companies. He did get looks on the freeway.
LOL.
That would be too funny.
I would love to shoot the Kerry stickers off the Hondas.
Awesome! This guy has the right idea.
I want one today, today!! No more getting run off the road by some ditz on a cellphone. No more blaring horns because I don't rabbit jump the red light before it goes green.
Yeah, come on. Somebody swerve over into my lane, I've got insurance, do you? And if the mechanics on the decommissioned gun worked so that it rotated... ;-)
Caution - Tank Drivers under Instruction
Precisely what other road users (I was on a bicycle!) were expected to do when confronted by an incompetently driven tank occupying the entire width of the road was unclear...
Check out the Brit who's got better toys than even you!
My brother went to Michigan Tech. He told me one of the 4X4 guys who was a roommate liked to park on top of a snowbank. In the spring, they found a crushed car under the snowbank.
On HWY 67, around Ft. Stewart, GA, there are signs that say 'Deer Crossing', then there are signs that say 'Tank Crossing'.
LOLOL! Thanks for the ping!
Sneak preview of the NASCAR car of the future.
One way to eliminate the competition.
My late BiL drove around with a toy cork gun in a gun rack in the back window of his 53 Ford PU. The cork was hanging on a string from the barrel of the gun.
ok fess up this is you isnt it? :-)
"Dude, I'm totally at the sorority car wash with that thing."
Tooooooooooooo funny!
Regards, Ivan
And there was me about to buy one for Christmas. Oh well, I' ll just have to think of something else.
It's the thought that counts, dear. :)
Love, Ivan
“Do you feel lucky?”
Betcha I could find a 30-mm gun activation kit on ebay, or maybe at the county gun show. "Whatchoo be usin' this here thang fer, son?" "Moles."
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