Super tank from ‘Fast & Furious’ movie sells for almost $US250,000

One of the most recognisable vehicles from the Fast & Furious film series – a bespoke combat vehicle – has sold at auction, though its hammer price pales in comparison to Toyota Supras, Nissan Skyline GT-Rs, and Mazda RX-7s which appeared in the blockbuster movies.

UPDATE, 28 May 2023: A V8-powered combat vehicle which runs on tank treads and starred in the Fast & Furious movie franchise has sold at a US auction for $US242,000 ($AU372,000) – or just one-third of the reported cost to build the bespoke machine.

Autoevolution reports the 2009 Howe & Howe Ripsaw – which was used in the eighth Fast & Furious film, titled The Fate of the Furious – was sold by Mecum Auctions in Indianapolis earlier this month.

With no reserved price listed, bidding for the unique prototype vehicle reportedly reached $US242,000 ($AU372,000) before the auction ended – excluding auction fees.

The auction listing claimed the Ripsaw’s builder spent $US750,000 – or approximately $AU1.12 million at today’s exchange rates – to build the vehicle, with the recent auction showing depreciation can hit some of the most wacky contraptions which have appeared in films.

The Ripsaw’s sale comes less than a month after a unique Nissan Skyline GT-R  – which was used in the fourth Fast & Furious film – set the highest sale price for the Japanese cult classic model, selling for a hammer price of $US1.18 million ($AU1.75 million) not including auction fees.

Our original story continues unchanged below.

Jordan Mulach

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16 April 2023: One of the most memorable vehicles from the Fast & Furious movie franchise is about to cross the auction block.

A 2009 Howe & Howe Ripsaw – a V8-powered combat vehicle used in the eighth Fast & Furious film, titled The Fate of the Furious – is being sold by a museum after obtaining the vehicle from Universal Studios.

Being the first prototype built by Howe & Howe, the Ripsaw has the VIN ‘000000001’, and also featured in the GI Joe film series.

MORE: Fast and Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R up for auction

While the Ripsaw isn’t technically a tank by definition, it’s often referred to as a tank due to having tracks instead of wheels.

Powering the Ripsaw is a 6.6-litre ‘Duramax’ turbo-diesel V8 engine from General Motors – producing approximately 269kW and 840Nm when fitted to the Chevrolet Silverado HD pick-up.

It’s enough power for it to drive at approximately 100km/h on almost any surface.

MORE: Fast and Furious F9 movie car for sale, but it’s no orange Supra

The Ripsaw is going to auction with no reserve, but the original build is said to have cost $US750,000 – or roughly $AU1.12 million at today’s exchange rates.

Viewers of British TV show The Grand Tour may recognise the Ripsaw, with Richard Hammond driving a custom-built luxury version through the streets of Dubai (above).

To read more about the 2009 Howe & Howe Ripsaw, you can view the auction listing by clicking here.

Ben Zachariah

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