15 Of History’s Wackiest Rides

Weird is no longer a term for many people with a wrench and some car knowledge. Back when some of that car know-how your pops taught you when you were a kid could be used, a few people exploited this given right of transportationÉand came up with these things.

Poochmobile

Forget the cartoonish idea that mice or squirrels can power everything, what you're seeing was a reality! Utilizing a squirrel cage and gear system, this man was able to walk his dog and take a ride around the farm at the same time!

Jeep/Willys Postal Van

Built on the chassis of a Willys Jeep, this Rat Rod was pieced together by Lyle Ledbetter with the bodies of old USPS mail trucks, complete with a mailbox on the front. I would deliver some mail in that thing.

Harley Davidson Booking Cage

The roaring 20's wasn't complete without a convenient and bulky jail on wheels. For many criminals a last joy ride cage style was entirely unexpected, and many reported that the wind through their hair made the transition to the real slammer "easier".

27 in Tall Bradley With Proud Englishman, 1933

Street legal probably comes to question in this shot from Popular Science in 1933. With a perfect height car for rolling from the seat to a nice sleeping bag at the end of a long day of driving, the Bradford developed vehicle didn't see much in the way of consumers after this shot.

Motor Home Built On A Ford Model TT, 1925

Powered by a pretty meager 20hp engine, this home had a motor, but not an exceedingly effective one. Costing $380 at the time, the expensive sell forced its buyers to hand operate a windshield wiper while topping out at 22mph.

Homebuilt Swamp Buggy, 1956

Lugging 700 pound nine foot tall wheels atop its Chrysler bodied frame, this gas guzzling beast of a car tromped through the thickest of Florida's malleable soft muck bogs.

1950 Garret Peat Harvester

Named the "Crawler" by its builders Richard Garret and Sons of Leiston, England, the giant machine resembled and functioned as a cottage on wheels, on top of a peat harvester. These folks were likely to be able to work rain or shine.

Cab-Under Truck

With a surprisingly spacious cab below its payload, the Strick Cab-Under was able to fit one driver and passenger all while carrying a standard payload without the need for the extra length and expense of a separate cab. The engine was built into the undercarriage of the truck, meaning an unloaded cab under still maintained its length between hauls. The design as a result fell off in popularity in favor of separate-cab options.

Helica Wind Rider

Driven by an excruciatingly loud propeller engine, the ride for any rich-enough individual was otherwise pretty luxurious. The look on the rider's face shows the a capable look of partial disdain that only the richest of propeller lovers can afford.

Log Look Mobile Home, 1924

Last seen in Kamloops, Canada, one crafty lumberjack milled his own home that easily beat out the Berenstain Bears by all accounts. By the looks of it, the engine could barely hoist the frame of an otherwise attractive home on wheels. Moving day couldn’t end any sooner.

Adult Trike

Pedal powered and tractor tired! Relive the good old glory days without having to get knee surgery after with this three wheeled wonder.

Wooden Cycle

Two wheels, a hand operated horn, and—wood? Wat. At least it would be easy to repair, and to that point we say “cheap insurance is good insurance!”

Chevy Nova Snowmobile

Custom Built back in the 90's, this vehicle was apparently able to jet along through 10 feet of snow at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour. I'm guessing Canada, New York, and Colorado residents weren't at the auction—the highest bidder claimed the Nova for a mere $1,000.

Home-Built V8 Powered Trike

Spotted in Thailand, this massive bike could likely tow a small boat all while humming along at 70 or 80mph. Did I mention it's a trike?

Semi-Tractor Hot Rod

Built in compilation of one farmer's dreams of combining farm-tough mechanics with breakneck speed and hairpin handling, this vehicle can accomplish pretty much anything. With the body of an old Ford and the heart of a drag racer, who would say no to carving out a race track Field of Dreams style?