The Fast & Furious franchise is famous for its high-octane car chases and daring stunts, but in the eighth installment, “The Fate of the Furious,” the movie took things up a notch by adding tanks to the mix. One of the most impressive vehicles featured in the movie was the Ripsaw, which was driven by Tej, played by Chris “Ludacris” Bridges. And now, for the first time ever, the Ripsaw used in the film is up for sale, giving fans the unique opportunity to own a piece of Hollywood history
Made by ‘Howe and Howe’, the Ripsaw really is a military vehicle, though it has also been used for firefighting thanks to its remote control abilities. Civilian versions for recreational applications have been created by the company as well. The lightweight tank is described as the fastest two-track vehicle on the planet, by its maker, with a top of speed of more than 60 mph (96 km/h).
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The military vehicle’s top speed is made possible by its powerful 6.6-liter LBZ Duramax Diesel engine. In a featurette for “The Fate of the Furious,” Geoff Howe of “Howe & Howe Technologies” revealed that the engine was capable of generating a whopping 800 horsepower (596 kW/911 PS) and 1,200 pound-feet (1,627 Nm) of torque specifically for the film.
The Ripsaw’s unique design made it a popular choice for filmmakers beyond just the Fast and the Furious franchise. Built at an original cost of $750,000, the tank has also appeared in multiple GI Joe movies.
An original prototype, it bears the VIN 000000001. What makes it even more special is that it still has its original paint. However, due to its use on ice, the vehicle shows some rust in certain areas, which can make it appear in need of some care from certain angles. Nevertheless, the tank was acquired from a museum that has worked closely with Universal Studios, so it’s expected to be in relatively good condition overall.
Expected to fetch as much as $180,000 at Mecum’s Indy 2023 auction that runs from May 12 to 20, 2023, in Indianapolis, the Ripsaw is a unique vehicle that is sure to attract the attention of both Fast and Furious fans and collectors of exceptional vehicles alike.
