WTF is this thing? Half car, half pickup truck. Maybe it is a Transformer?
I asked the builder/owner, AKA: Crazy Old Man of this vehicle a few questions.
Q: What is it?
A: The title states that it is a 1993 4-door, Green Mercury Topaz. I like to call it a Mercedes UTE.
Q: What is a UTE?
A: UTE stands for Utility. They are mainly built in Australia and are based on a passenger sedan, with a seamless body-molded tray. A Ford Ranchero or the Chevy El Camino are American versions of the UTE.
Q: Why did you build this?
A: To see if a custom vehicle could be built in the driveway using hand tools and very little money.
Q: What tools did you use?
A: A borrowed reciprocal saw, a hand held grinder a saber saw, circular saw and a drill and hand tools found around the home.
Q: How long did it take you to build?
A: Around six months of work in my spare time.
Q: So how much did it cost?
A: I bought the car at an auction for $350. I spent $1,036.35 for parts and paint for a grand total of $1,368.35.
Q: Anything special in the car?
A: The car is a stock Topaz except for the body work. I have modified a 12V cooler into an arm rest. The Paint is Pettit Easypoxy Deck Paint applied with a roller and tipped with a brush.
More pictures of this build from start to finish.
This car is now for sale! Contact me at crazyoldmanaskswtf@gmail.com.Steve