Home » What Utilitarian Vehicles Look Way Cooler Than They Have Any Right To? Autopian Asks

What Utilitarian Vehicles Look Way Cooler Than They Have Any Right To? Autopian Asks

Aa Work Vehicles Ts
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Quick, think of a cool-looking vehicle – car, truck, motorcycle, ATV, anything. Got one? OK, good.

I’m betting your squishy skull stuff has conjured something intended by its manufacturer to look (and hopefully be) some variety of cool. Since we’re Autopians, your idea of cool may be a Pagani or a Peugeot, a Bugatti or bug-eye Sprite, a Cadillac or a Cavalier (Z24, probably), but still, something meant to evoke some kind of coolness, a shape intended to look good for the sake of looking good.

Vidframe Min Top
Vidframe Min Bottom

You probably did not think of a farm tractor or a forklift or some other work vehicle or wheeled/tracked driver-operated utility thing. But those types of machines can indeed look pretty doggone cool! And that’s where we’re at with today’s Autopian Asks. We want you to tell us about the utility and work vehicles you think look way cooler than they should, ought to, or need to.

Let’s see what the gang at your favorite website thinks! No, this website. Who said Angie’s List? Weirdo.

Clarktor Ct 6

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I’ll go first. Ever since David wrote about the Clarktor CT-6 airport tug, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. It looks like it came from a parallel universe where WWII was decided by lawn care. It’s fantastic. Just look at that guy driving it. He can’t believe his good luck. Best day of his life. And did the CT-6 inspire the BMW Grille Design Team, if only in scale? Maybe.

Incredibly, I’m not the only airport tug fan here. Your favorite Daydreaming Designer, The Bishop, professed his love for the modern low-slung tugs that push and pull jetliners, and eloquently described them as “sci-fi shit.”

Aliens Apc

Sci-fi shit indeed! To wit, the Armored Personnel Carrier that took Ripley and the Colonial Marines in and out of LV-426‘s Weyland Yutani-built atmosphere processor in Aliens was in fact a Hunslet ATT77 Air Towing Tractor. The tug’s APC costume covers every bit of it, but there’s no mistaking those proportions and the massive counter-steering front and rear wheels. Love it.

Hunslet Att77 Air Towing Tractor

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Whereas the APC was packed with Marines (never mind the fact that the APC interior was far larger than what the actual vehicle could fit inside), the ATT77 airport tug is packed with … all that stuff above. Click to enlarge, it’s fascinating!

Oshkosh Striker 4500

The Bish also dropped the shot above as a coolest-looking-vehicle-that-doesn’t-need-to-look-cool nominee. It’s an Oshkosh Striker 4500 Aircraft Rescue And Fire Fighting vehicle (ARFF for short). That’s a good acronym, and I assume those are jets of water and flame-retarding foam blasting from the cannons – but they could just as easily be particle beams if you squint (or click this link). Or, hear me out, this truck could be deployed to help make colossal tacos and sundaes as the SAWCAT (Sour And Whipped Cream Application Truck). I’m full of great ideas.

Hardi International

Resident world-traveling Australian engineer rock star Lewin Day came in hot with the Hardi sprayer. Says Lewin, “They’re monstrous, with the biggest models like the Rubicon 9000 hitting over 50 km/h with huge hydraulic motors in each wheel. Watching the giant boom skate over the terrain at speed is wild.” Watch indeed!

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David dropped the photo below as a workin’ machine he loves, and man, I get it. That thing looks ready to flatten all comers under those tracks, and the design is all business with nary a curved panel in sight. It’s a Tucker Sno-Cat 1600 operated by Nova Guides, set up for touring Vail, Colorado, and I would absolutely like a ride.

Sno Cat Diplomat
David Tracy

Says David, “I mean just look at it. It’s humongous, and looks as silly as it does menacing, with a super basic, almost shed-like two-box design, four sets of tracks, and an enormity that’s almost laughable.” I dare you to laugh, DT!

Sno Cat Nova Guides
Nova Guides

I’ll chalk it up to being blinded by the tracked spectacle that is the Sn0-Cat 1600, but I was surprised David didn’t call out the all-time GOAT of vehicles designed purely to perform a job that not only went on to do the job but also succeeded in being incredibly, indelibly, durably cool decade after decade – I speak of the Jeep, of course, in its wonderful, original Willys MB spec. I especially like it with its jaunty fabric top. “Iconic,” to use a much-overused word, but none could be more apt.

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Wills Mb Fca2

Willys Mb Fca W

Your turn: what are the working machines that hit your cool button? See you in the comments!

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Lockleaf
Lockleaf
1 month ago

I saw a customized big rig the other day like those giant airport tugs. I have no idea what was being towed but it was crazy long and in the middle was a modified big rig cut down completely to look like those tugs. The cab area, complete with some dude sitting in it, was slung UNDER the load on some wheels. I think he was a midships spotter or something. Never seen anything like it. This was just a few weeks ago.

Clear_prop
Clear_prop
1 month ago
Reply to  Lockleaf

If this was on I-5 between Auburn and Everett, Washington, it was a 777 wing spar. Crazy long and a ‘low rider’ big rig that can steer the load around tight turns.

Hangover Grenade
Hangover Grenade
1 month ago

All of those cool Tatra and MAN 8×8 and 6×6 heavy trucks.

Sometimes when I’m bored, I’ll watch youtube videos of them in offroading competitions.

https://youtu.be/0gXFE6yr8jI?si=M7RfNFpL6HljY7ml

Last edited 1 month ago by Hangover Grenade
Jonah
Jonah
1 month ago

Fun fact about those ARRFs: they have nozzles on all sides to create an apron of foam around them to create a buffer from fire that might try to creep up on them due to any fuel spilled on the ground.

Ecsta C3PO
Ecsta C3PO
1 month ago

The original Ski Doo
and related,
Ford Model T with Snow Attachment

StillNotATony
StillNotATony
1 month ago

You know what vehicle I think is cool looking, but has no right to? Moffett truck mounted forklifts. They’re the ones you see, as the name states, mounted on the back of trucks or on semi trailers.

I just think it’s cool to see a truck that brings its own means to unload itself. Plus, watching the forklift load itself back onto the truck is really neat!

Hi, I’m an Autopian, and I may have a problem…

Last edited 1 month ago by StillNotATony
Ecsta C3PO
Ecsta C3PO
1 month ago
Reply to  StillNotATony

It’s the industrial version of the Honda City scooter in the trunk

AlfaWhiz
AlfaWhiz
1 month ago

Form following function without any bullshit: cool. Fake intakes on a brand new stock BMW: seriously uncool.

Last edited 1 month ago by AlfaWhiz
B P
B P
1 month ago
Mr. Fusion
Mr. Fusion
1 month ago
Reply to  B P

Zero to 60 = “Hahaha, ‘sixty’!”

Rust Buckets
Rust Buckets
1 month ago
Reply to  Mr. Fusion

Hemtts are some of the faster army trucks, I think they’ll actually brush up against 60mph.

Cerberus
Cerberus
1 month ago

Old tractors, but that’s not an unusual opinion. What might not be is that I always liked telehandler forklifts. There are some really cool proportions in the design, but I’ve never been able to satisfactorily translate that into a design for a car.

VS 57
VS 57
1 month ago
Reply to  Cerberus

I’m with you on old tractors, my fave being full bodied orchard tractors.

Gubbin
Gubbin
1 month ago
Reply to  VS 57

Came here to share a picture of a pretty old McCormick orchard tractor. Dang I wish I could attach pictures to posts.

Hugh Crawford
Hugh Crawford
1 month ago
Reply to  Gubbin

Love orchard tractors. Like a cross between a regular tractor and a land speed record car.
Form follows function!

Cerberus
Cerberus
1 month ago
Reply to  VS 57

I think that’s where it started. I’m in New England, so orchards and small farms are familiar and well-regarded territory, though I didn’t really start to appreciate tractors aesthetically until I was probably in my 20s when it became more common for people to restore old ones and display them and I finally noticed that there are some pretty cool tractors. i don’t know the models, I just appreciate them when they catch my eye . . . or ear if they’ve got a Coffman starter.

Slow Joe Crow
Slow Joe Crow
1 month ago
Reply to  VS 57

The coolest looking has to be the OG enclosed tractor, the Minneapolis-Moline UTLX https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusil_Automatique_Mod%C3%A8le_1917?wprov=sfla1

Slow Joe Crow
Slow Joe Crow
1 month ago
Reply to  Slow Joe Crow

Wrong URL, the RSC 1917 has its own charms but I meant to post this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File%3A1938_Minneapolis-Moline_tractor_side.JPG

Otter
Otter
1 month ago
Reply to  Slow Joe Crow

That is begging to be turned into a rat rod.

Scaled29
Scaled29
1 month ago
Reply to  Cerberus

I agree so much on the telehandlers! I think the mid sized ones look best, (Claas Scorpion, etc.) with tractor tires.

Cerberus
Cerberus
1 month ago
Reply to  Scaled29

Whatever size the ones are that have the larger tires catch my eye every time. Hell, I’d rather check one of those out than any of these new generic hypercars.

Scaled29
Scaled29
1 month ago
Reply to  Cerberus

I totally agree. Like the Manitou MT1335. I just really like the look of them,with or without front outriggers.

Cerberus
Cerberus
1 month ago
Reply to  Scaled29

About 20 years ago, we got our van stuck in deep gravel at a remote cell site after we installed heavy equipment due to the lack of weight after the equipment was removed and we were perpendicular to the way out since that’s how we had to unload it. Anyway, there was some big construction going on in the lot next to us and one of the guys driving a telehandler up and down the dirt road that I had been checking out saw us and asked if we needed help. Sure! Lifted the E250 like nothing and carried it out to the road. He wouldn’t take any money for it, either. Can’t remember the brand or anything, but looking at photos of them, I think it was probably a JLG 742 or 943 (or whatever similar thing they had 20 years ago). It had that low cockpit way down between the big wheels and I think it was orange and black.

Scaled29
Scaled29
1 month ago
Reply to  Cerberus

That sounds fun. I have a mug with a JLG on it, (it’s a toy JLG, but whatever). Anyway, my uncle has one of the smallest Manitous. I’ll ask if I can drive it sometime.

Andy Individual
Andy Individual
1 month ago

I’m going to have to hop on a stair car for this.

Banana Stand Money
Banana Stand Money
1 month ago

Hop on, I’ll meet you at the banana stand.

Lori Hille
Lori Hille
1 month ago

There’s always money in the banana stand.

A. Barth
A. Barth
1 month ago

I want a Bobcat for some reason – the little skid-steer beastie.

I have no use for one but they look really cool and have lots of attachments for doing different things. They’re also available with wheels or tracks!

Slow Joe Crow
Slow Joe Crow
1 month ago
Reply to  A. Barth

Bobcats are great fun and can pop a wheelie very easily

Rust Buckets
Rust Buckets
1 month ago
Reply to  Slow Joe Crow

Look up Black Sheep Skid steer on the various socials. Crazy guy from Arizona who does skid steer stunt riding and wheelies, holds the world record for longest wheelie in a skid steer. Really really cool to see in person.

Lewis26
Lewis26
1 month ago
Reply to  Sandy Eggo

The Sea Shadow is also a great way to initiate WW3 if you’re a satellite media mogul.

Bassracerx
Bassracerx
1 month ago
Reply to  Sandy Eggo

A zumwalt ported in my town. No idea why they stopped in Mobile when Pensacola or New orleans is so close. I’m just glad i got to see one up close. it looks SO much more epic in person. It is MUCH bigger than you think it would be looking at the pictures.

Squirrelmaster
Squirrelmaster
1 month ago

Rotary snowplows: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_snowplow

I have actually seen these in action and it is both surreal, terrifying, and fascinating.

John Gustin
John Gustin
1 month ago
Reply to  Squirrelmaster

Holy shit, that looks essentially like a diesel Shai-Hulud.

Ecsta C3PO
Ecsta C3PO
1 month ago
Reply to  John Gustin

I can imagine the Stephen King horror short story about that. Something something 1 in 100 year snow storm… a deal with a shady mechanic to bring out the snowplow that hasn’t been used in a few decades but no one remembers why… walking through blinding snow towards the only light you can see…the ground rumbles with an unholy sound…

Set in coastal Maine, of course

Cayde-6
Cayde-6
1 month ago
Reply to  Ecsta C3PO

Obviously, it would have been written during King’s cocaine period

Mr. Fusion
Mr. Fusion
1 month ago
Reply to  Cayde-6

1980s King was described by culture writer Nathan Rabin as a “sentient bag of cocaine”.

Cayde-6
Cayde-6
1 month ago
Reply to  Mr. Fusion

Presumably, this hypothetical short story would be considered a metaphor for his nostril

Totally not a robot
Totally not a robot
1 month ago
Reply to  Squirrelmaster

Every winter in Tahoe, some schmuck will park on the street while a Tahoe storm comes barreling in. Three days later, the storm finally clears and leaves behind eight feet of snow. And then the rotary plow drivers head out to do their jobs.

The rotary plows sometimes find those street-parked cars buried under the snow. And the plows always win.

Eggsalad
Eggsalad
1 month ago

How about the Rokon Trail-Breaker 2WD motorcycle?

https://rokon.com/product/trail-breaker/

Bassracerx
Bassracerx
1 month ago
Reply to  Eggsalad

this is rad but why are these so expensive??!!! It looks like something someone built in their shed!

Rust Buckets
Rust Buckets
1 month ago
Reply to  Bassracerx

They are ludicrously overpriced for what they are. I mean, the thing is running a lawnmower engine with no real lubrication system. Just not acceptable when you can buy a real dirt bike for like $1200 on Amazon and it comes with an actual transmission, oil pump, and suspension.

Anyways, that’s why I make do with lowly 1wd on my Coleman bike.

Martin Dollinger
Martin Dollinger
1 month ago

I‘d like to add the Schiltrac, a Swiss „Geräteträger“ not unlike the Unimog.
https://www.kheer.ch/produkte/schiltrac/

Andrew Bugenis
Andrew Bugenis
1 month ago
Jack Trade
Jack Trade
1 month ago
Reply to  Andrew Bugenis

A great, underappreciated movie for sure. And I’m actually just fine with “gunkata” as seen in the movie, I don’t need the Michael Bay-style CGI verison that eveyone clamors for that will surely screw it all up.

Sean Hannay
Sean Hannay
1 month ago

The Grumman LLV. Looked like the future back in 1987; especially compared to the DJ.

BolognaBurrito
BolognaBurrito
1 month ago

Let us post pictures, damnit!

Lunar Roving Vehicle takes the cake. A bit basic looking, but the titanium-treaded, zinc-coated steel stranded “resilient wheels” are just f’ing awesome. They set the whole thing up.

JP15
JP15
1 month ago

The Case Quadtrac 620: First impressions: How does 778hp Case Quadtrac shape up? – Farmers Weekly (fwi.co.uk)

Because anything is made cooler with tracks!

Live2ski
Live2ski
1 month ago
Mr. Fusion
Mr. Fusion
1 month ago
Reply to  Live2ski

How can something be so rugged AND adorable?!

NC Miata NA
NC Miata NA
1 month ago

I’m a sucker for a good Unimog, especially the 406s.

Cars? I've owned a few
Cars? I've owned a few
1 month ago
Reply to  NC Miata NA

+ 1. Wish I still had my old Matchbox one.

Scaled29
Scaled29
1 month ago
Reply to  NC Miata NA

My all time favorite is the U1000 or U1500. I would kill for any Unimog though

Justin Thiel
Justin Thiel
1 month ago

Australian Road trains.

Mr. Fusion
Mr. Fusion
1 month ago
Reply to  Justin Thiel

“Tomorrow’s Bacon” (If you know, you know)

Patrick Castelvecchi
Patrick Castelvecchi
1 month ago
Reply to  Justin Thiel

Australian– and off-Road trains. The snow trains for the US Army looked pretty cool.

Jack Trade
Jack Trade
1 month ago

Any urban streetsweeper.

There’s something so strangely compelling about its tall and upright, wedge-ily compact looks, all the various lights, and the usually only-partially-visible rotating brushes.

Last edited 1 month ago by Jack Trade
BolognaBurrito
BolognaBurrito
1 month ago
Reply to  Jack Trade

I never realized the damn things refill at fire hydrants. Somewhere in the back of my mind I realized they couldn’t possibly carry enough water to last an entire day, but I never thought too hard about it. And then earlier this summer my brother tells me out of the blue, “Hey, did you know they’ll stop over a storm sewer line, empty the tub, and hopefully a fire hydrant is close enough to fill up with fresh water?” And it was like my mind was blown.

Totally not a robot
Totally not a robot
1 month ago
Reply to  BolognaBurrito

Dammit, am I really about to go looking for videos of street sweepers refilling their tanks?

Crimedog
Crimedog
1 month ago

M109 Paladin.

“We need mobile artillery!”
“Okay, we can tow that cannon thingy on the back of a Jeep”
“Er, no… Something larger. Something that can move itself. Something that can fire with others like it in conjunction from,like, 15 miles away, all raining shells down into an area that would make it unrecognizeable on Google Maps.”

“Um, what about this thing? The Paladin thingy?”

“Does it use complex shells?”
“No, you literally have to swab the chamber, load the round, and add bags of gunpowder like you were on a 1730’s British ship-of-the-line…”

“Make it happen”

Idiotking
Idiotking
1 month ago
Reply to  Crimedog

Is this the one that shot four shells in different parabolic arcs in quick succession so that they all would land in the same place at the same time?

Crimedog
Crimedog
1 month ago
Reply to  Idiotking

I do not know, but it sounds plausible, especially with the variable number of gunpowder charges one can use.

They are typically used in clusters, and they can drop x shells inside of a few meters of each other at the same time, where x is however damn many Paladins are part of the firing solution.

Arch Duke Maxyenko
Arch Duke Maxyenko
1 month ago

I mean there is style for the sake of style in pretty much everything designed by humans to be purchased by humans. For this though, may I submit: The Bagger 288

Lewis26
Lewis26
1 month ago

This song has lived rent free in my head for 15 years.

Arch Duke Maxyenko
Arch Duke Maxyenko
1 month ago
Reply to  Lewis26

Same, which is why I feel compelled to share it every once in a while.

5.7WK2
5.7WK2
1 month ago

One of my grail vehicles that could fall into this category is a Dodge Dreamer. It’s ridiculous and I love it.

I’ve always liked the M274 “Mule”. I mean it’s somebody’s back deck, but with wheels and an engine. If they were cheaper would be awesome to make a land-based party barge.

Aside from that, anything cabover. Or ridiculous.

Aron9000
Aron9000
1 month ago
Reply to  5.7WK2

Got my introduction to the “Mule” watching Maximum Overdrive. That one was terrorizing everybody with a mounted m60 machine gun, just over the top ridiculous/hilarious.

Heavy duty wreckers always look basass. Bigger the better, gotta have at least 4 axles. And the guys who order them most of the time go buck wild using a chromed out Peterbilt, Kenworth or Western Star. And some crazy wild paint schemes, enough lights on it that you could see it from orbit

5.7WK2
5.7WK2
1 month ago
Reply to  Aron9000

If I were the one spending all the money those things cost I’d be having Xzibit bling it out too lol

Dumb Shadetree
Dumb Shadetree
1 month ago
Reply to  5.7WK2

Huh, the Dreamer is like those weird Ford Centurion’s. I agree those were awesome. Did any of those van/truck/dually combos have factory support, or were they all made by coach builders?

5.7WK2
5.7WK2
1 month ago
Reply to  Dumb Shadetree

The Centurions are awesome too. I’m probably wrong, but I can’t think of a vehicle that came from the factory like that. Coach builders used to turn out some awesome stuff. Wish conversion vans would make a comeback.

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