Petrolheads turn their Volvo into mock military vehicle

A group of petrolheads converted their Volvo into a mock military vehicle before driving it for 1,500 miles across Europe.  

Graham Smith, 47, and three of his friends spent more than 50 hours turning the Volvo V70 into a tank-style vehicle complete with ‘armoured’ sides, camouflage paint, a turret and a cannon.

The foursome – which also included Peter Orton, Bud Davidson and Josh Whitmee – then spent three days driving it through France, Switzerland, Italy and Luxembourg as part of the ‘Bangers4Ben’ charity event.  

When they returned, they sold the estate for £2,500 on eBay. 

A group of petrolheads converted their Volvo into a mock military vehicle before driving it for 1,500 miles across Europe. Pictured is Josh Whitmee, Graham Smith and Peter Orton

Graham Smith, 47, and three of his friends spent more than 50 hours turning the Volvo V70 into a tank-style vehicle complete with camouflage paint, a turret and a cannon (pictured)

Graham Smith, 47, and three of his friends spent more than 50 hours turning the Volvo V70 into a tank-style vehicle complete with camouflage paint, a turret and a cannon (pictured)

The friends even put armoured sides onto the car, to create a military-style vehicle (pictured)

The friends even put armoured sides onto the car, to create a military-style vehicle (pictured)

But Mr Smith, a roadside technician, said the group got more than they bargained for when ‘suspicious’ border guards mistook the vehicle for an actual tank.

Mr Smth, from Shepshed, Leicestershire, said: ‘The border guards were just so suspicious and they were giving us a lot of funny looks. They could have just opened fire on us at any time.

‘The whole event was like Mad Max and I think most officials over there were concerned about the car’s safety but each time they just let us go.

‘At one point we got asked if we had any guns with us. We said “no” – we didn’t have any guns. I think that was in Italy.’

He said people looked at them in ‘amazement’. 

‘We were dressed in army gear in a car that looked like a tank so I can understand,’ he said.  

Mr Smith, a roadside technician, said the group got more than they bargained for when 'suspicious' border guards mistook the vehicle for an actual tank

Mr Smith, a roadside technician, said the group got more than they bargained for when ‘suspicious’ border guards mistook the vehicle for an actual tank

As they travelled through four European countries, Mr Smith said people looked at them in 'amazement'

As they travelled through four European countries, Mr Smith said people looked at them in ‘amazement’

‘A few border guards stopped us and I remember one of the guards flagging us down. I think he was a little bit surprised but ultimately he saw the funny side of it.

‘I remember the Swiss border guards were quite strict on us and they searched our car.’ 

‘We got quite a lot of attention on the roads aswell. If we had a pound for every person that took a picture of the tank, the eBay bid would be even higher now.

Mr Smith is pictured with two of his friends, Josh Whitmee and Peter Orton. The fourth in the group was Bud Davidson

Mr Smith is pictured with two of his friends, Josh Whitmee and Peter Orton. The fourth in the group was Bud Davidson

Pictured is a sketch of how the group wanted the vehicle to look once all the adjustments had been made 

Pictured is a sketch of how the group wanted the vehicle to look once all the adjustments had been made 

‘Some drivers were giving us the thumbs up, other cars were honking at us on the roads and even police in France found it funny.’ 

The four friends put the car together using cheap equipment and a ‘make do and mend’ attitude.

MR Smith said: ‘The materials were mostly second-hand bits and bobs, a bit of plastic and wood. The car was originally blue, but we used some stencils and a paint roller to get the right look.

‘We’re just happy to have raised the money for charity. It supports people in the motor industry in need of financial help, or help to families if they have a disabled son or daughter.

‘The whole thing was a really great laugh.’

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