Of all the weirdo theme/show rods we have seen come across various auction blocks over the last few years, we’re going to say that this one, the Wine Barrel Rod is absolutely the coolest. The stance is killer, the giant open panel in the front of it is awesome, and those monster rear slicks and slot mags are just perfection. Add in the woodwork, the shape of the thing and all of the other elements and you have yourself a pretty cool collection piece. Unfortunately the thing is over in Europe so you are going to have to pony up the dough to get it back to North America but we think that it belongs here, right?
Built by Gerry Nimz in Canada and promoted by Carl Casper it appeared all over North America in the 1970s before being shipped over to Germany where it was bought by a wealthy German collector and it has lived in quiet solitude ever since. Hey, at least the thing was cared for because it looks just about perfect as compared to some stuff which has not weathered the years nearly as good as this thing.
The chassis is boxed steel tube apparently. The driver’s area is formed from steel, the bed is made of aged oak and the four barrels on the bed are actual win barrels as well. The driver’s seat is actually made from an oak barrel, completing the theme from front to back. The engine is a small block Chevy with a tunnel ram and a couple of carbs. We’re thinking that the engine would need to come out to be lightly touched up and made to run again.
All this fun would set you back for $45,000 if you bought it today but these fellas are willing to negotiate.
I think it is hilarious that this abomination made out of containers for over-priced fruit juice is featured on a site where the chosen drinks of most of its members are beer and whiskey!
The only proper thing to do with old wine casks is to use them to mature fine whisky in but the body of this thing is only fit for firewood. Keep that fine chassis and engine and use them to build a T bucket or something.
Now if you don’t mind I’ve just opened a bottle of Famous Grouse so I’ll bid you farewell….
That fine engine is a………CHEVY !!!!
Áaaaaarrrrggghhhh !
Aaaaaaaaaaaaargh! indeed…
I have sawn my hands off in protest at my stupidity!
My grandfather built this thing I always wanted to see it in person as he sold it before I was born