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 ...
He told the reporter that it was deactivated...
Maybe not so much ?
Okay... that's now that is COOL.
Saturday night dirt track special!
PING!
That blows running at Dega I guess. LOL
I must confess, my dream SUV is a fully armed and loaded up M1A2. Cut me off? Do you feel lucky, punk? ;^)
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