World Records Set by Unusual Vehicles
From the fastest production car to the longest limousine, setting world records has always been a fascination for automobile enthusiasts. But what about those unconventional, out-of-the-box vehicles that have managed to break records in their own unique way? These unusual vehicles have captured the attention of the world with their incredible feats, making us question the limits of what a vehicle can truly achieve. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most mind-boggling world records set by these extraordinary and unconventional vehicles.
The Tuk-Tuk Taxi That Crossed Two Continents
A tuk-tuk, also known as an auto rickshaw, is a three-wheeled motorized vehicle commonly used as a taxi in many Asian countries. But for a group of adventure-seeking friends from the UK, a tuk-tuk was not just a means of transportation, it was a vehicle to set a world record. In 2014, they embarked on a journey from the UK to Australia, covering a distance of more than 17,000 miles, in their trusty tuk-tuk named “Sooty”. Not only did they manage to successfully cross two continents, they also broke the record for the longest journey ever completed in a tuk-tuk.
The Ice Cream Truck That Became the Fastest Truck in the World
An ice cream truck may not seem like a likely candidate for setting a speed record, but for British inventor, Edd China, it was the perfect vehicle to achieve his dream. China transformed a traditional ice cream truck into a hybrid vehicle by fitting it with a jet engine, creating the “Turbonique” truck. In 2006, the Turbonique reached a speed of 102.6 mph, making it the world’s fastest ice cream truck and the fastest truck in the world.
The Amphi-Ranger That Conquered Land and Water
Imagine a vehicle that can travel on both land and water. For Vernon Kruger, a South African adventurer, this wasn’t just a wild idea, but a record-breaking achievement. In 2012, Kruger took his Amphibious Jeep named “Crocodile Harry” on a journey that covered more than 5,000 kilometers on land and more than 1,000 kilometers on water. This made him the record holder for the longest journey by an amphibious vehicle, proving that with determination and innovation, anything is possible.
The World’s Smallest Car That Fit in a Shopping Cart
When you think of a car, you probably picture a four-wheeled vehicle with plenty of space to fit passengers and cargo. But for Austin Coulson, a car could be anything that has four wheels and an engine, no matter how tiny. In 2014, he created the world’s smallest street-legal car, measuring only 25 inches tall and 2 feet long. But that wasn’t enough for Coulson, he then went on to break his own record by creating another car that could fit in a shopping cart, measuring only 16.14 inches tall and 18.33 inches long.
The Solar-Powered Car That Circled the Globe
Sustainability and energy efficiency have become top priorities in the automotive industry, and many companies have been working towards creating eco-friendly vehicles. But for a team of Swiss engineers, it wasn’t just about creating a green car, they wanted to break a world record with it. In 2012, the solar-powered car “PlanetSolar” completed a journey that took it across 11 countries and 18 months, making it the first solar-powered vehicle to circumnavigate the globe.
The Car That Was Too Big for Traffic Lights
It’s common knowledge that traffic lights are designed to accommodate all types of vehicles, but for one particular car, that was not the case. In 2012, the Guinness World Records recognized the “136-ton Monster Truck” as the largest rideable vehicle in the world. With 16-foot-tall wheels and no less than four steering axles, this beast of a truck was too big to fit under traffic lights and had to be moved on the back of a trailer, setting a record for the most expensive vehicle ever moved in a trailer.
The Golden Scooter That Caught the Eye of Royalty
Scooters are a popular mode of transportation for short distances, but for Italian artist, Fabio Reggiani, a scooter could be so much more. In 2012, he created the world’s most expensive scooter, valued at approximately $328,000. The scooter was made entirely of gold and featured a diamond-encrusted throttle and handlebars. This luxurious mode of transportation caught the eye of Prince Albert of Monaco, who ended up purchasing it for his collection, making it not just a world record holder, but also a royal possession.
These unusual vehicles have definitely proven that when it comes to setting world records, there are no boundaries. From tuk-tuks to ice cream trucks and everything in between, these unconventional vehicles have captured our imagination and made us realize that the possibilities are endless when it comes to the capabilities of a vehicle. Who knows what kind of record-breaking vehicle will come next? The only limit is our own imagination.
