AN eccentric car enthusiast inspired by Top Gear has created the world’s fastest shopping trolley - powered by a 290bhp engine.
Cal VanSant spent two years and £10,000 building the 9ft ‘Shopper Chopper’ from scratch. It can seat six people and is powered by a 5.8-litre V8 Chevrolet engine normally used in muscle cars.
Mr VanSant built the trolley as a stunt for his son-in-law Brent Musser but they now hire it out for promotional events. The highest speed has not yet been tested but cars powered by the same engine have a top speed of around 130mph.
The 49-year-old, of Lancaster in Pennsylvania, America, now hopes to set a new shopping trolley world speed record.
He said: ‘Some of my inspiration actually came from the BBC show Top Gear. I am always amazed at the contraptions the witty hosts create for their challenges. My son-in-law’s family owns a local grocery store and each year they do something a little goofy for our local fair parade.
One year they drove mini-bikes in formation, the next year mini-four-wheelers. Two years ago they were looking for something new and different for the next parade and they came up with the giant cart idea. They brought the idea to me since I had some engineering background and I quickly convinced them to go the hot rod route. It took two years and more money than we ever planned, but the result is a blast to drive and certainly get attention.’
The powerful engine was produced for the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro and the suspension comes from a top-of-the-range US police cruiser. It is currently undergoing tests to see if it can be legally driven on the roads.
Mr VanSant said: ‘I’ve never dared max it out, but hopefully someone brave or mad enough will.’
He added: ‘This is a one-of-a-kind. Our wives would not be happy if we built more, but we may make smaller grocery-related vehicles for parades in the future.’ –DM