The Most Ridiculous Semi Truck

[@miurasvlamborghini]

"Enhanced the trucks aesthetics"...... Beauty really is in the eye of the beer holder.

[@TheSilverShadow17]

Lol

[@mankihonda983]

Its better this way... Having just a regular Ford Grenada at the front end of this monstrosity would be too weird.

[@brianb-p6586]

This is the first online coverage of this vehicle which actually explains the configuration - notably the horizontal engine behind the front wheels - instead of just showing the cab.

[@wl7915]

As a wagon person, no reason not to love it

[@audriusbaranauskas6227]

Just might be the most practical wagon ever.

[@mastathrash5609]

Right? You could make a cool mad max mobile fortress outta it. Or Just a bad ass mobile home.

[@rossbryan6102]

AN SHIT TRUCK, EXTREMELY UNSAFE FOR THE DRIVER, IN EVENT OF HEAD ON COLLISION!!

[@Dmitrikrotchlikmyov]

​@@rossbryan6102everything's dangerous in a head on collision.

[@gapyyyyy]

When an American from the deep south cuts up an old wagon and screws it onto a truck chassis it's 'trashy' but when a German company does it, it's brilliant engineering. All jokes aside, awesome video as always! Keep up the good work!

[@johncunningham4820]

Yeah , that's because the Germans WELD things rather than depend on Duct Tape .🤣.

[@gapyyyyy]

@@johncunningham4820 good point :D

[@audriusbaranauskas6227]

@@johncunningham4820 Do not disrespect THE DUCT TAPE! 😄

[@Kalvinjj]

@@johncunningham4820 Spray foam is the new duct tape and JB weld

[@bobroberts2371]

I guess you are speaking of Ginger Billy?

[@k-dog7013]

Very cool! However, I imagine with the weight of a semi behind the front end of an 80s car you would want to avoid crashing this at all costs.

[@extensivedamage2648]

"schnibbeln" is a colloquial expression for cutting in German, e. g. "Gemüse schnibbeln" means cutting vegetables. Since they had to cut a lot of metal to produce this vehicle it seems like an appropriate name for it :D

[@MrSpirit99]

I think it's funny that I always hear Schniebelmobiel. Schniebel is a local therm for a small penis (also in Germany).

[@froginasock8782]

In the late 1980's in NSW, Australia, a company did a similar thing with a rigid truck. Placing the driving cabin very low and in front of the front wheels meant a shipping container could be placed over the cabin, shortening the effective length of the truck, and enabling the truck to tow a second container on a trailer. Issues with driver survivability in the event of a front collision lead to the project's demise.

[@themadscientest]

This truck should get the honor of a full restoration!

[@Nakkisampyla]

Ford Granada Turnier with Mercedes-Benz van nose, what a monster

[@ehsnils]

Personally I would have considered a Mercedes car body instead just for a better look, but it did the job and that's what counts.

[@ingo_8628]

@@ehsnils They took what was lying around their yard, they have not only cranes but also towingvehicles and work for the german car club as road assistance.

[@joshuabessire9169]

And people thinks the Dodge Magnum is the baddest station wagon on the road.

[@ourv9603]

Back in the 1980s the trucking industry was trying all they could to increase tractor mpg. One wild concept was a tractor much like the one you show where the entire tractor would fit UNDER the front of the trailer. Only the tractors windshield would stick out just a little from under the front of the trailer. It was built and it was tested on I10 out of San Diego. Everytime it went onto the road, the CHP recieved a bunch of phone calls saying there was a runnaway trailer on I10. No one noticed the low slung tractor. The drivetrain was behind the drivers cab. The drivetrain sat in its own chassis which could be quick & easily unbolted and slid away from the front half of the tractor for overhaul & a replacement drivetrain & rear chassis could be bolted in place and the tractor could be on its way. Very cool but the CHP put a stop to the testing because it was making the 4 wheelers crazy. !

[@Happymali10]

I think it's really neat that the company still preserves/shelters the thing even though they got no use for it.

[@nopadelik9286]

Hey VisioRacer, as i know that you put quite some effort into pronouncing even the hardest (german) words correctly (btw, full respect for saying "Spezialfahrzeuge" absolutely perfect !), i'd likie to explain the rule behind the pronounciation of "Schnibbel" in Schnibbelmobil. In german pronounciation, if a vocal like a,e,i,o,u is followed by a double consonant like for example the "bb" in Schnibbel, the vocal "i" gets pronounced/spoken shortly / quicky. I'd like to add that i really like the quality of your content 🖤 Maybe a video dedicated to the "Unterflur" (underfloor) engine concept like in this 'MAN would be a good idea, as for example the "Büssing Super Cargo" truck and many busses are other vehicles using this way of placing the engine. Cheers !

[@VisioRacer]

Thanks!

[@Freesavh1776]

Extensive modification is a major understatement. At least it was saved. It kills me every time i hear about an amazing machine that got scrapped. Especially when its a 1 of 1.

[@keine_ahnung_wie_der_heisst]

The exposed engine and turbo looked so cool on that man truck

[@phillipswanson4055]

Nice video! I appreciate the thorough coverage and research of this truck I have seen pictures of online with no explanation

[@richardchambers3533]

Take a shot every time he says "schnibblemobil." 🤣🤣🥃

[@johncunningham4820]

Soundly Engineered Solution to a Logistical problem . Not suitable for General use , being SO over-length . But a complete success in it's intended role . Getting towards 1,000,000 km in Europe is a LOT of work . Well done Colonia .

[@RipRoaringGarage]

I have the baby version of that engine in my bus. Its "only" 10.35L. Its the D2156 and they do have a really nice sounding idle. Nice to hear that sound again.

[@Low760]

I did my apprenticeship on these 12l motors in buses, in man and Mercedes Benz form.

[@MirkoC407]

Technically the MAN truck chassis was the only option, because it had the engine lying sideways inside the ladder frame behind the cab. The Granada trunk is basically where on other trucks the engine would sit, while the radiator would be on the back seat. Only the MAN / Büssing offered all the engine and peripherics so far back that the car body could be fixed there without any additional modifications to the truck chassis.

[@robbieoorschot6816]

The engine is not lying inside the chassis, but is hanging on the right side of the chassis, nonen as "Ünterflur" engine

[@mastathrash5609]

The only thing that worries me is that massive overhang. I sure hope those beams are strong.

[@michaelguerin56]

Weird and practical. Nice to see. Thank you.

[@robertheinkel6225]

The United States minuteman missile transporter is basically the same thing. The driver sits about two feet above the ground,with the missile sticking out about twenty feet in front of him. It was very impressive going thru parades.

[@rickythebguy5997]

That's Ford's counterpart of Drögmöller desined Steinwinter Supercargo.

[@Lazarus7000]

Reminds me of the Steinwinter Supercargo.

[@pi.actual]

Looks like a typical modern airliner tug.

[@jameslaidler2152]

Yeah the drovers got seasick. Same motions as the end of a ship at sea. Just wild.

[@AlteredCarbons]

im just so happy this thing still exists and the company realized it was something truly odd and special. i wish it was on the road tho, thing would be cool to see pull up to a car meet or something a tractor pull competition.

[@KitKitChanIsaac]

"Is your truck a conventional or a cabover?" "Yes."

[@Rob-eg7ur]

😂😅

[@javierpatag3609]

It's *SO WEIRD-LOOKING!* 😱 I ❤❤❤ it! 😁 "A stupid solution that works isn't stupid."

[@skylinefever]

I love how many people say "It's only strange if it doesn't work."

[@mikebell9166]

Very cool! There are many applications of the MAN horizontal engine... the one that I remember most is the busses.

[@Alex462047]

That would be a seriously bouncy ride for the driver.

[@RetirementFund750]

This is the first time I’ve seen this one so good for you for finding something new that wasn’t already documented to death! This was cool to see but did you know this wasn’t the only truck of this kind? Other companies around the world made different types of the same concept but none of them really lasted too long because of the dangers of driving it. It would be cool to see a video of all the different ones!

[@xploration1437]

Frankenstein was the doctor, not the monster.

[@Galfrid]

Nice vid. Lovely engine! Vielen dank for the sound clip at the end 💪

[@65bug519]

Cool adaptation, if you like this then have a look at the Steinwinter super cargo.

[@Nick-b7b9s]

I want a snibbelmobile!!😂

[@dom3827]

In German it is written and spelled closely to a word we use as synonym for "dick" Guess on purpose.

[@Nick-b7b9s]

@@dom3827 A giant penis on wheels every man's dream vechicle 🤣

[@JohnStrange-q8r]

One does not simply acquire a snibbelmobile. It has to be earnt.

[@Hydrogenblonde]

Visio Racer, you find the most amazing machines.

[@kdrapertrucker]

So........what took it's place hauling oversized aluminum loads?

[@astafford8865]

They blew up Europe's cheap Gas supplies. So the Europeans don't have the factory anymore. They turned the continent into Eurodisney . And other folk just sell each other beads. The End

[@HubertofLiege]

I hear Vacation “Holiday Road” in the background and see Chevy Chase

[@Transit_Biker]

There was another similar idea with the cab underneath the trailer, but it was more integrated as a truck versus using automobile components.

[@michigandon]

Interesting video! Wish I could study it in person and see how the steering and gearshift linkages are configured.

[@TexJester-no8th]

Reminds me of the "cab-under" concept from the late 1979s (if I remember right). One photo I saw had a box, possibly a container, on top with the driver sitting below it! I think safety issues prevented it from being widely used..

[@damienfournier1157]

You seems to think about the steinwinter supercargo! Same idea , same issues , same fate: the prototype is rooting on the constructor's parking lot

[@epicseadragon1692]

Really cool truck! Thanks for thr video!

[@skylinefever]

This would be a huge hit at any long haul trucking show.

[@ThePontiacgto65]

As often on this channel, another discovery with this vehicle!Between the photo at the start of the video and the photo on the highway it looks like the load is bent in the middle of its length. A little bit 😂

[@ragdolltrucking]

in british columbia i saw a pretty unique truck for really long logs, the rear of the trailer was just another truck with a driver steering but the cockpit was underneath the logs, equaly wacky to this really

[@95Sn95]

Less chance of the load relocating itself in the cab, in an accident...? Be cool if used somet like a 3rd gen Camaro or something for a cab. I know a short nose is preferred but still.

[@Lazy_Tim]

Very cool engineering.

[@michaelb6729]

Paint it black and put some pointy spikes on it, it will blend in nicely on the Fury Rd transport route ! 🙂

[@phlashtheband4939]

Great vid, thanks.

[@CaynesDub]

This reminds me a lot of the Steinwinter Supercargo 2040, which is a similar concept.

[@oler777]

I think everybody’s here from that one short, where they showed one of these trucks underneath a semi load

[@pod9538]

I like it .

[@anthonye81]

I don’t really get it. If you’re hauling a 50m load, what’s the point of making a special cab to reduce the overall length by 3m?

[@dv7533]

I think it was to move the fifth wheel coupling and steering axle as far backwards as possible to reduce the turning radius. They could have added another 3 meters in front and a conventional cab, but it would stick in front of the front axle an additional 3 meters too, making the sea sickness symptoms worse for the driver. Nowadays it might be possible to compensate for that with active suspension, but that was probably not in the cards at the time.

[@christophecamus3295]

Very interesting video thanks

[@chrisbaker8533]

A station wagon that thinks it's a truck. I approve.

[@jonathanbell7752]

1:46 That took skill to drive

[@sptony2718]

In Germany you can have your Mad Max vehicle but only with a Einzelgenehmigung (Individual Permit).

[@martso9288]

This is what Jeremy Clarkson envisioned, what "The Excellent" would be vs what it actually was/is.

[@forresttm]

So its a mid engined truck. Cool.

[@mankihonda983]

This is actually terrifying, imagine hauling an extremely long and heavy vehicle and not being able to see past most traffic like you could normally in a truck...Not a fun time.

[@aaronburratwood.6957]

I would daily this thing for sure.

[@aaronburratwood.6957]

Maybe with a lil 4’ bed all the way in the rear.

[@larstragl146]

So they took a MAN Chassis and put a Ford body with a Mercedes front on it. Does it have Opel seats and a BMW steering wheel then?

[@bobroberts2371]

Time 100 Anyone know why brick or formed paving blocks are so popular in Germany? Is this some regulation having to do with allowing water absorption ? Also, some repair garages use the same or tile flooring.

[@Santor-]

It's because it's built to last, unlike cheap thin concrete that crack and need replacing after some years. Paving stone, in granite especially, lasts over 100 years easy. It is like a Mercedes vs a Yugo. Makes your property worth more.

[@bobroberts2371]

For some reason I'm thinking that there is another one of these trucks decaying in a salvage yard. Maybe it was even on this channel.

[@andreasu.3546]

"Steinwinter Supercargo" maybe?

[@bobroberts2371]

@@andreasu.3546 Yep, that's the one, thanks

[@DaveBegotka]

Sounds like my old diesel pusher RV

[@ADHDIYuk]

I never thought I'd see a vehicle more ridiculous than the Cyber truck............

[@barryallenflash1]

This is cool!! 500,000 miles, holy cow! ONLY in a diesel.

[@FrankensteinDIYkayak]

gotta like a good frankenstein creation

[@-xirx-]

Love this

[@mickvonbornemann3824]

I like cab under trucks

[@TheSlowDude]

😂 thanks again :-)

[@QuinZcoco]

Bro that's more safe than the average Semi with all that visibility for small vehicles 🗿

[@rjs1138]

Poor Granada, an estate as well. F 😞🇬🇧

[@MattBrownbill]

Mad as a bag of cats... Cool idea though.

[@topperman4541]

GM built a truck just like that late 60's early 70's. I have seen pictures and I believe there is a video or two around.

[@piotrzurawski8346]

Is this front from Mercedes-Benz T1?

[@RuffKutz]

I'd buy one!

[@siddohc]

aight just found my fav vehicle

[@amaccama3267]

That's cool.

[@jimmyngktpi]

It is an interesting design, but I cannot stop thinking that in an accident (even at low speeds), the entire cabin + driver would form part of the crumble zone.....

[@denzzlinga]

Maybe the trucks frame rails are extended forward to the bumper, and the carbody just sits on them?

[@jamieeedden777]

Looks like a mercedes t1 lites and pannel

[@joshthemediocre7824]

If i were the driver i would only asked for a roll cage just incase that load collapsed, if that's even possible idk but it's one cool semi and i would love trying to drive it.

[@seashackf1]

That’s quite a bumper. Seems the driver is part of the crumple zone. Frame and engine survives just fine, just bolt on a new bumper. Driver? I guess you can just get a new one of those too.

[@stvnbryan5542]

Why is this truck considered ridiculous? It is purpose built and a pretty cool solution.

[@briankuhn7396]

My German is a bit rusty, but 'Schniebbelmobile' sounds like 'snipped-mobile.' Am I close?

[@clevelandmaker386]

I love those trucks

[@ovalwingnut]

Very COoL When I heard FORD I wasn't impressed (sorry guys & gals). But with some German Eng it was almost perfect! You guys are to good for your own good.. Cheers from So.Ca.USA 3rd House On the Left

[@jeeptrucklover72]

Wow! Very cool truck! I could see that would benefit the trucking industry but that front end would definitely be disastrous in an accident.

[@pigidly]

Seamlessly 🤪😝

[@longkeithdiablo8812]

Weird but cute 🙂

[@ETal-f4v]

Looks like a death trap.

[@imamfn]

Why were they just not using the VW kombi?

[@CableWrestler]

It literally has a MK2 transit front end

[@HandleyR]

You mean Frankensteins monster. Frankenstein was the scientist who created the monster.

[@bellacrawford1912]

They built trucks like this to run under the back of long bridge beams also

[@no-damn-alias]

To be honest 120m long rails are transported on rail cars as well. So?

[@Santor-]

Last I checked trains don't go EVERYWHERE? What, you'll carry it the rest of the way?

[@no-damn-alias]

@@Santor- He said that it exceeded capacity of the railroad at 30m to 50m length which you have to take with a grain of salt.

[@commonsensehill372]

I could get behind more trucks like that, but why use a Ford station wagon?

[@cartmanrlsusall]

It was built for a purpose but it wasn't ridiculous

[@sandasturner9529]

that truck rides like a piggyback ride on frankenstiens back. just look at that overhang past the front axle. nobody will ride comfortably in this truck at higway speeds. might not ride comfortably at 10 mph.