Unique tank-engined roadster crops up on sale

A completely original roadster built on an International truck chassis and powered with an exposed V12 sourced from a Patton tank is heading to a Mecum auction in late July.

The unlikely street-legal ride uses the underpinnings of a 1988 International 4700 truck. As such, it has leaf-spring suspension at both ends – installed in a transverse fashion at the front and longitudinal at the back. On the upside, the brakes all around are disc-based and powered by hydraulics.

The bodywork is nonexistent, meaning you can look forward to bike levels of comfort. A windshield, a couple of seats with safety belts and a power-assisted steering wheel pretty much sum up the amenities on board.

Of course, the true pièce de resistance of the build is the tank engine. It is a monstrous 29.3-liter V12 unit chugging gas in exchange for 710 PS (700 hp / 522 kW). A six-speed automatic gearbox from Allison directs the torque to the rear wheels and rear wheels only. The listing doesn’t make it clear how fast the car actually is. Just how much it might end up selling for is another mystery – it’s far too unique to have any credible reference points.