I really like fabrication shows like Monster Garage, Orange County Choppers, American Chopper, American Hot Rod, etc. I really really like when they make 'big' things, and although neither of these originated on the aforementioned shows these are some of the biggest scratch built creations I've ever seen. The age old question has been answered: Just because you could, doesn't mean you should. Yes, you should. And I want one.
Maybe for Christmas this year, Janet & Mom - it's not too late to start saving now....
A really big motorcycle
Let's start with an aircraft engine. We'll take two cylinders from a radial engine, and mate them to a custom crank. Oh, and did I mention the displacment of 410 cubic inches? In a motorcycle? To inject a little bit of perspective into this scenario, my 1967 Camaro had one of the finest motors Detroit ever built, the 327 cubic inch Chevy small block. Even with 50 series tires I could smoke those skins. So, we have 83 more cubic inches and approximately 2,000 less pounds curb weight. Unfortunately I could not find if the builder, Clemens Leonhardt; ever finished his monster creation. Let the pictures however speak for themselves the rest of this narrative:
A really big car
What would you do if you had a 1941 Seagraves hook and ladder fire truck? Well of course you would create a sports car out of it, wouldn't you? That's what Michael Leeds did. You would chop, section and box the frame. You would hand craft the body and fenders. You would preserve the original front grill. But, you would still have 9,600 pounds of car to lug around.
Not to worry, gentle reader. You would restore the original 980 cubic inch V-12 engine. Because it was built to idle for long periods at fire scenes, the engine has redundant iginition - 2 plugs per cylinder, two distributors and four coils. The pan holds 25 quarts of oil! The original Easton four speed transmission is used. Known as a 'crash box' as most trannys of the day did not have synchronization, the lost art of double clutching is used.
Behold, Big Bertha:
