As many of you know, Portland is chock full of weird automobiles. So when I went downtown for the annual Pride Celebration, Saturday afternoon, it is not surprising I found some strange cars. But I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting to find anything quite like this.
Is it a sign of impending “Mad Max” like chaos, or simply whimsical rolling art? I don’t care. I love it.
I have no Idea exactly what this is, but it is able to get noticed in an area with drag queens on stilts and glitter coated topless young ladies. That is the definition of gravitas.
Power for this strange “Rat Rod” comes from a definitely not vintage 4 cylinder engine. I was so stunned by all the crazy details that I never even looked at the interior. All I can say is someone has some amazing talent and imagination. This is exactly why it’s so fun to be a car guy in Portland. You really never know what you are going to see driving around this place.
I like the overall look. Power is from a early 1980’s Toyota 20r or 22r. I have replaced enough timing chains to recognize the timing cover and water outlets.
Yup definitely an R series engine, like you I’ve replaced enough timing covers and chains to still know it well.
I don’t know if that would go over so well in many parts of the country, given the current climate on high-powered weaponry. Even though the armament would seem to be obviously inert, I could easily see that vehicle drawing the attention of law enforcement quite rapidly.
Is there *anywhere* in the country where a vehicle with cowl mounted machine guns wouldn’t be checked by police?
No road rage here !
….LOL!…..
Very interesting. Not what I would do, but very creative. The weaponry would attract quite a bit of attention in this country, for sure.
I was thinking Pinto engine but the oil filter is on the wrong side. Toyota 20R?
Are those motorcycle tires and 1935 Willys rims on the front?
They do look like motorcycle tires to me.
Those front motorcycle tires and old rims are quite clever, particularly considering the unusual tread pattern. They really fit the vehicle’s theme. Not sure how good they’d be in actual use, though.
But that top definitely needs about a 3″ chop.
I don’t think they’d work very well at all on this. It would make sense on a vehicle with swing axles or on the front of a Ford twin I-beam truck with super soft springs where you have a lot of suspension camber change. But a solid axle gives you virtually none, so all it does is reduce your tire area.
Based on the intake manifold, I was kinda rooting for Iron Duke (or should I say “Ironic Duke”) on the engine, but after a second look, it clearly isn’t. (Location of fuel pump, type of starter, etc.)
Interesting! But I’d be more interested in knowing what this vehicle originally started out as.
It looks like a Model A Ford pulling Model T pickup bed turned trailer.
sharp
What part of town is this in, it sure looks familiar. When I first moved to to Oregon the more lax gun laws compared to New York was surprising and I even remember seeing a motorcyclist with a shotgun strapped to their back; now I just shrug my shoulders. This vehicle looks neat though it is not my taste and I agree feathers could be ruffled by this vehicle. I see in the second from the top photo there is a first gen Chrysler minivan; good catch.
That’s NW Couch right off of 2nd, isn’t it? I recognize the rig- think that’s shown up at Beaches Cruise-In @ PIR once or twice.
You nailed the location. There are always a lot of interesting cars in this area.
Gotta love the name on the back
RAT TAT TAT
It is the real deal! I’d ditch the trailer it is too over the top but it almost would be worth being pulled over every time you go out just for the fun you would have in between!
Does anyone know what those two cylinders on the back between the jerry cans are supposed to be? If this guy wanted to really go for a look (and scare the hell out of people), he could have gotten those gatling guns and maybe even the anti-aircraft gun to simulate actual operation by using propane.
Of course, that almost surely would get him arrested, likely for some sort of terrorism law.
Is that the Rich Building in the background? It looks like they have gas lamps hanging out front.