Another month gone, another top 5 sticks the landing. This time, we enter the desert world of Mad Max with some of the wackiest rides to ever grace the big screen. Which killer vehicles made our list from this absolute non stop action packed film?
H & H Ripsaw EV1
Starting off our Mad Max journey is the tank-lite Ripsaw EV1 aka “The Peacemaker.” Built by Geoff and Mike Howe, and costing an initial $120,000, it was designed to be an all terrain, all weather, beast of a machine, and infamously earned a reputation among the crew as the most dangerous vehicle on set.
Equipped with a supercharged V8 engine, this big boy was capable of keeping up with a 100kph chase and required three radiators to cool it, one on either side of the motor and one at the back. The body was a mid-70s Chrysler Valiant Charger modified to allow its driver, “The Bullet Farmer”, to sit on top with space for a further 2 henchman.
The Peacemaker truly showed its capabilities in the film; during the chase, while all other vehicles in the armada get stuck in a bog, The Peacemaker is the only one capable of crossing it, and so it continues to pursue the War Rig. A bullet from the Furiosa ends up destroying the Peacemakers searchlight, blinding The Bullet Farmer, and it would later be destroyed at the hands of Max shortly afterwards, killing the entire crew.
Unfortunately the vehicle wasn’t just destroyed in the film, but the off set version, after filming was wrapped up, was crushed and turned into a giant metal cube. RIP Peacemaker, we shan’t forget you.
Chevrolet 5 Window Coupe 1934
Next up, the vehicle driven by the infamous henchman-to-hero, Nux; a Chevrolet 5 Window Coupe 1934, aka “The Nux Car.” A 350 Chevrolet V8 engine with two turbochargers allowed Nux’s car to always be in and around the action.
Nux himself made modifications to the cabin; his name was welded into the brake peal, a doll’s head decorated steering wheel, and a metal crow bobble-head on the dash and roof with Immortal Joe’s logo emblazoned on it. Naturally there was space on both the front and rear for the many thundersticks that Nux’s Lancer, “Slit”, uses to attack other vehicles, while the front was designed to hold onto Nux’s ‘bloodbag’, with an IV connecting the victim to the driver providing Nux with both blood and a dose of adrenaline, the victim of course being Max himself.
It’s first appearance in the film is when Slit attempts to take the vehicle before being stopped by Nux, who then proceeds to strap Max to the front and begin the chase of the War Rig. One of the moments that really catches the eye is during the chase, while driving through the sandstorm (cue epic score), destruction all around, and Nux’s famous line: “Oh, what a day…what a lovely day!” before slamming on the accelerator. Unfortunately it ended up being damaged by the War Rig during the chase.
MAN KAT I A1 (8×8)
Yes its official name is bizarre, so instead we’ll call it by its more popular name: “The Doof Wagon.” Basically the morale boosting vehicle of the War Boys. Designed by Peter Pound who, being a rev-head and a metal fan, wanted a vehicle that combined all his favourite things.
Pound based it on a MAN KAT I A1(8×8) 15 ton beast that was once used as a Patriot missile carrier and launcher. It was powered by a Deutz 8 cylinder Diesel engine, with 360hp, a turbocharger and an inter-cooler. Air ducts were use to amplify the sound of the huge drums situated on the rear of the vehicle. “The Doof Warrior,” armed with a guitar and suspended on bungee cords, utilised a wall of 64 speakers to transmit his rocking tunes to the entire armada. Oh yeah the guitar was a fully functioning flame thrower too.
In the movie the Doof Wagon was used in a similar way that war drums were used in war, rallying the troops and demoralising the enemy and what better way than to blare out the sounds of heavy rock and Earth-shattering drum beats?
The Gigahorse
Immortal Joe’s signature vehicle. Enough said. Another Peter Pound masterpiece, it was decided that a king must have a vehicle worthy of one. Furthermore, in a world where nobody had two of anything, it was only fitting that the King rolled in a ride built with not one 1959 Cadillac Coupe De Ville, but two.
The Gigahorse was designed with those two cars on top of each other, the front having a custom heavy duty plow attached. Powered by two Chevrolet 502Cid Big Block V8 crate motors, with superchargers, pumping out 1200bhp and equipped with tractor tires, the Gigahorse was capable of achieving a top speed of 125kph. Not sure how power to weight would work with this two-in-one, but I’m sure Peter had it all figured out.
As the Final Boss, Immortal Joe and his Gigahorse never directly take part in the vehicular combat until right near the end. After Joe’s demise at the hands of Furiosa, the Gigahorse was driven by Toast and Max to the Citadel with the corpse of Joe placed on the hot engine.
A member of the Vuvulani eventually drove it onto a platform, ascending into the Citadel to the rapturous cheers of the people.
Tatra T815
Finally we come to our top pick for our favourite Mad max vehicle: The Tatra T815 aka “the War Rig”, driven by Imperator Furiosa, and, by all accounts, the focus of the entire film.
The War Rig was based on a 78 foot, 18 wheeler manufactured in the Czech Republic. The cabin was modified with the rear half being replaced with a widened Chevy Fleetmaster allowing for more interior space and possessing a 600bhp Tatra racing engine, making it possible to haul such a massive monstrosity over rough terrain.
The War Rig wasn’t all technical specs though. It had some fun additions, too. There were two turrets, one on the rear and one on the front. The rear one, has a harpoon gun and a crane-like swing, while the front one has a harpoon gun and a flamethrower. The sides sported spikes, sharp metal pieces and saw blades. Guess you could say that it had a sharp defence #dadjoke.
In the film itself, the scene that truly captures the essence of the War Rig is during the climax. In one of the most memorable scenes in a film chock full of many great scenes, Rictus is standing on the bonnet of the War Rig, having just ripped out the engine, trying to kill everyone. Nux, knowing that he won’t have long to live anyway, and that he must save Capable and co, takes charge. He whispers his final words, “witness me,” before swerving the War Rig into the canyon side, and flipping the vehicle, killing Rictus and blocking the canyon. The Doof Wagon then barrels right into it causing a huge collision, resulting in the death of the Doof Warrior. Score.
There we go, our top 5 list of Mad Max – Fury Road vehicles comes to an end. This one really was a hard one to limit to just 5, with all the whacky choices we could have put, but there you have it.
What would your top 5 include? Let us know in the comments below. Also, if you liked reading this, be sure to check out another top 5 unusual and iconic vehicles from film and television from our list!
