Russian tuners turn toward next project: a "varnished" Hot Rod pickup
Remember that awesome Volga Roadster from a few months ago, the BMW 6-Series rebody that looked like a Ford 49 concept car? Well, the guys who did that custom rod are at it again. This time they have turned their attention to an old Soviet truck. It might not sound as sexy as the Russian Fisker alternative, but let us explain.
The old Soviet GAZ-51 truck is an icon in Russia. These trucks have been around since the dawn of man and although they never stood out as a design leader, a hot rod based on one would be very cool and very Russian. Using a Cadillac Escalade EXT as a starting point, the Pemespiba team from Moscow will slap on a GAZ-51 cabin and build a wooden bed "from a varnished tree" (did they varnish the wood while it was still growing roots or after they cut the tree down?). If they can put it together with even half the style and workmanship of the V8 Roadster, it should be stunning.
Another sketch and pics of the build can be found after the jump.
[Source: Cardesign.ru]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bill 7:32PM (12/11/2006)
If he was alive, my grandfather would totally dig that. I can see him poking around the farm in it. He was a WW2 vet and Pearl Harbor Day was also his birthday, though he served in Italy and Africa, not Japan.
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Carmen Harvey 8:12PM (12/11/2006)
The sketch of the truck looks hot, but the wood paneling look all over the box of the truck is a little much...maybe they will tone that down a bit in the final version.
Carmen Harvey
http://www.RideAdvised.com
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felonious monk 8:16PM (12/11/2006)
Looks like a Dodge Powerwagon.
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Stoneman 10:43PM (12/11/2006)
Dear God no. About as attractive as a boot to the head. The split windshield was good 60 years ago. Not today. Not ever again.
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
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Andy 11:32PM (12/11/2006)
The GAZ-51 was a copy of the Studebaker trucks given to the Red Army under the Lend-Lease programs of WWII.
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Reg Kirby 1:25AM (12/12/2006)
This truck looks totally cool. It will be interesting to see the finished vehical. Split windows are way cool. Long Live Hot Rodding!!!
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Cheezedog 2:04AM (12/12/2006)
Ohhh, thats hot.
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Richard Warren 7:30AM (12/12/2006)
#3 Got that right!
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Deranged 9:10AM (12/12/2006)
"did they varnish the wood while it was still growing roots or after they cut the tree down?"
A bad taste joke. Not a way to treat your multinational audience (and contributors as well).
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seabasstin 1:16PM (12/12/2006)
My only comment is not about the design (bad*ss) but the underlying architecture.
Why the hell use specifically a "Krapscalade"?
I mean if you are going to use that GM garbage anyway, why not use the exact same hardware that is under one of their cheaper model gas guzzlers?
I mean it doesn't seem to make much sense to use the much more expensive Caddy for this project, when you could get a cheaper Yukon or sierra or whatever other re-badged product to get to the exact same point.
That is just a waste of money on their part.
PS: i like the idea of the living tree infused with varnish until it dies and then used to make this luxurious truck.
Its very sound, and this way the tree gets to live longer before it is killed.
PPS: Does anyone else feel that "Luxury" and "Truck" is a weird oxymoron?
I mean the dumb*sses who get those Krapcalades always blow me away.
They are generally the same people who seem comfortable with "Designer" construction boots. What is that? and WHY would you think this is ok?
Do any of these people ever put anything in the back of those Escalade trucks? --Cement bags? NO (too dirty).
--Construction equipment? nope (to hard and scratchy).
--Cow Manure to fertilize fields? absolutely not (too stinky/germy/dirty and besides who ever leaves the city/suburbs with an Krapscalade.)
Its always amazing to be to see a fur coat laden suburban house wife with blonde streaks, get out of one of those giantly useless contraptions.
why not? we are in America after all! no harm in a little excess.
Besides she is the wife of a stock broker who really needs to haul all those stolen bonds home anyway.
(or at least haul *ss to Mexico when the time comes)
Next thing you know you will have gold and diamond studded "Soviet Army Watches", so sensible, so sensible.
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OneDayMatt 5:01PM (12/12/2006)
seabasstin,
The reasoning for the Escalade is that in Russia other GM trucks just can't be found.
I'm sure an incoherent whack-job like yourself would be glad to know that I just traded in my '06 Jetta TDI/DSG for an '07 V8 Crew Cab 4x4 Chevy Silverado. I don't understand Caddy SUV's either, but "cheaper model gas guzzler" is an insult to those of us who buy a vehicle that will carry our families safely through rough weather in case of emergencies and smart enough to not spend too much money doing so. Get off that environmental high horse.
You can get off your elitist high horse too; my other car is an Acura NSX.
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