Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Ultimate SUV - Designed to Carry Big Guns - Not Coming to a Store Near You
ap ^ | 8/8/02

Posted on 08/07/2002 11:58:59 PM PDT by knak

BUTLER, Pa. (AP) - The sport utility vehicle that rolls out of the Ibis Tek shop looks just like those driven by millions of soccer moms.

But with a flip of the switch, out of the sunroof pops weaponry ranging from a .50-caliber M2 machine gun to an MK-19 40 mm grenade launcher.

For now, you don't need to worry about a whole new level of road rage - the western Pennsylvania manufacturer said it is not selling the vehicle in the United States.

But it does ship its one-of-a-kind SUVs elsewhere around the globe, especially to places where "have a safe trip" is more than just a nice thing to say.

Ibis Tek President Tom Buckner opened the company three years ago with his brother, John, and Tom Letter.

The Ibis Tek Viper, Cobra and Python defense systems are installed on factory-issue trucks such as the Chevrolet Suburban, Lincoln Navigator and larger Ford pickups. They are marketed out of Switzerland.

The company's client list is confidential. Buckner will say only that about a dozen of his vehicles are being used in four Middle Eastern countries. The Royal Guard of Saudi Arabia possesses three.

An Ibis ride with all the trimmings - including options like armor plating that will stop a 7.62 mm armor-piercing bullet - costs about $500,000. And that is without the actual firepower; clients must buy their own guns.

Ibis Tek vehicles can weigh as much as 11,000 pounds and gas mileage can dip into the single digits.

"You don't buy them for the gas mileage," Buckner said.

Sales of the vehicles are strictly regulated by the State Department.

"If the item is not deemed to be something that could prove destabilizing to the region, and there is no outstanding foreign policy reason, it would be eligible for approval," State Department spokesman Jay Greer said. "We consider these things from a national security perspective."

Bucker said the cars are designed for protection, not attack.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: autoshop; guns; miltech
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-32 next last

1 posted on 08/07/2002 11:58:59 PM PDT by knak
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: knak
Pictures please! :-D
2 posted on 08/08/2002 12:01:15 AM PDT by Pyro7480
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: *miltech; *Auto Shop
.
3 posted on 08/08/2002 12:05:45 AM PDT by Libertarianize the GOP
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pyro7480
Pictures please! :-D

www.ibistek.com

4 posted on 08/08/2002 1:06:56 AM PDT by Captainpaintball
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Pyro7480

5 posted on 08/08/2002 2:08:28 AM PDT by wasp69
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

Comment #6 Removed by Moderator

Comment #7 Removed by Moderator

To: wasp69; Henrietta
Very nice. Should handle any tailgater problems quite nicely. Are you listening Henrietta?
8 posted on 08/08/2002 3:27:46 AM PDT by gridlock
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: wasp69
Heh! I hope she comes with BIG cupholders to hold my one-litre coffee mug!
9 posted on 08/08/2002 3:35:14 AM PDT by RandallFlagg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: knak
Butler, Pa. gave birth to the Jeep. I guess those Pa boys are still at it.
10 posted on 08/08/2002 4:03:07 AM PDT by cannonball
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Captainpaintball
http://www.ibistek.com/video.html
11 posted on 08/08/2002 4:54:56 AM PDT by UpStateNY
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: knak
I want one!
12 posted on 08/08/2002 5:02:50 AM PDT by 6ppc
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: knak
Oh I want one. I WANT ONE.
13 posted on 08/08/2002 5:05:53 AM PDT by Jonathon Spectre
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jonathon Spectre
Me, too.

*Looks down*

I need to wipe off the keyboard...
14 posted on 08/08/2002 5:54:09 AM PDT by hchutch
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: knak


15 posted on 08/08/2002 6:15:36 AM PDT by Zaxis
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Yehuda; archy
If you buy one don’t forget to equip it with a


Blaster

The BBC's Jeremy Vine witnesses a demonstration of the "blaster" (RealPlayer)

For the man who has everything.

16 posted on 08/08/2002 7:19:18 AM PDT by SJackson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Zaxis
Four dueces beats a pair.


17 posted on 08/08/2002 7:48:16 AM PDT by archy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: SJackson
For the man who has everything.

Not Quite everything....


18 posted on 08/08/2002 7:51:46 AM PDT by archy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Zaxis
The real thing was somewhat better equipped:


19 posted on 08/08/2002 7:56:25 AM PDT by archy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: gridlock
Very nice. Should handle any tailgater problems quite nicely. Are you listening Henrietta?

If that won't this will; twin 23MMs: [Should fit on the back of a flatbed nicely.


20 posted on 08/08/2002 8:04:42 AM PDT by archy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-32 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson