Jalopnik
Robosaurus just sold in all of it's car-crunching amazingness, for a sale price of just $575,000 here at the Barrett-Jackson classic car auction and told the world he'd promise "not to eat any of your car collection." We remember seeing monster trucks at the Pontiac Silverdome in the 80's — but like most kids, the highlight of our day was seeing Robosaurus munching on cars and turning them into automotive-flambe. So seeing him sold off on big money BJ day at Barrett-Jackson is kind of — we dunno. We actually don't know what to think about it yet — even though we've known it'd be up for sale since October. but we're a little disappointed bidding didn't break the $5.5 million from last year's sale of the Shelby. Don't people understand how amazing this thing is? Full description from the Big BJ after the jump and we'll have video up shortly for ya.
You are now embarking on the purchase of a life time, the opportunity to own and operate "The World's Largest Robot", Robosaurus, the ICON of robotics worldwide. This 40' tall, 31 ton mechanical dinosaur has thrilled crowds throughout the World since his birth in 1990 after two years of construction. Robosaurus would cost over 5 million dollars to develop and build today. Robosaurus in action is every child at heart's dream. The crowd feels the heat of 20' flames shooting from the giant nostrils and hears the sound of crunching metal as the foot high stainless steel teeth rip into a car with 20,000lbs of crushing force. Robo laughs and roars as the car easily rips apart. You, as the operator, feel the thrill of tearing a car in half, incinerating it and throwing it to the ground in flaming pieces. Buy this for your kids, your grand kids and best of all, the child in you. All this and you own a one-of-a-kind that has not even come close to being duplicated in the last 17 years of Robo's existence. Check out the amazing technology of Robosaurus and you will be enthralled by this state-of-the-art "Mechanical Wonder of the World". In addition to Robosaurus, you will receive the full show equipment including three racing radios, remote control special effects board, Telex transmitter and receiver system, HAM-band TV Station for live broadcast to pilot, Hi-8 video camera, programming console for on-board animation computer system, tool kit for loading and unloading, service, maintenance and operation manuals, touch-up paint and numerous transport cases. Other spare parts, shop equipment, materials, and the Semi-tractor for towing are available by separate treaty. Full maintenance and driver training available. Robo transforms into a 48ft semi trailer that is street legal in North America. Comes with current California trailer title. **This Lot is sold on a Bill of Sale. Special conditions will apply.**
Comments
I'd say the potential market for this thing is kinda shallow. What the hell are you gonna do with a 40' tall mechamonster that shoots fire? Oh, wait.
Still, how would you even get this thing home unless you arranged transport ahead of time? You can't exactly call AAA for a tow.
Oh, now I just read where the trailer is available. Still. "Honey, can I put this on the lawn?"
it folds up into a trailer.
i just liked the announcers' comment after the sale: "you've got to wonder where this fits into this guy's life story"
cut to 30yrs later, talking to grandchildren:
"and then, i bought Robosaurus"...
Just the thing for the next Halloween decoration contest in suburbia: "Oh yeah? well MY exhibit can eat your exhibit, and your wife's Suburban as well...! And that piece of shit Camry you commute in? Kiss it goodbye, suckuh...! Robosaurus rules...!
@cardesignmike: Cut to Summer 2008:
"You want Robosaurus at you county fair? That'll be $10,000 plus expenses".
This thing is practically a "business in a box", I'm surprised it didn't go for more.
That thing is huge.
This would sit in my back yard, and the next time a neigbhors dog barks, WATCH OUT!
@something_unique_and_descriptive: true. i suppose Cartmanland must make a penny at some point.
Hmm this will end up in a episode of MTV Cribs : )
I am glad this thing went high. It represents a special breed of American lunacy that should be encouraged and rewarded. I am disappointed that it folds up into a trailer--though how cool is that--because I would want to walk it home.
I'm sure the "special conditions" require that you promise not to kill anybody with it. Not on purpose, anyway.
Sort of like the "warning card" with my S&W 38 special--if a damn toaster comes with a booklet of cautions you'd expect a gun to come with a phonebook sized document. Nah, just a piece of paper saying, if I recall, "This is a deadly weapon. Do not point it at anything you do not intend to shoot and kill."
So Robosaurus's warning card says "This is Robosaurus. It's 10 stories tall, breathes fire and can pick up and crush trucks. But you already knew that."
ZR1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope for that kind of money Barrett-Jackson provided papers from the American Robosaurus Club, as well as having it vet checked and micro chipped.
Eww, old man hair!
I'm glad it won't eat my collector cars, but I'm a little worried about it trying to have sex with the Pininfarina-designed Corvette Rondine I just bought...
Is it just me or has Barrett-Jackson just become a place for celebrities to dump their cars on people. Seems like all they talk about is "omg this is goldberg's car" or "omg, carroll shelby parked this ones" or "tony stewart is on stage" or "the old leather handbag ms. hurst shifter is here..." or "mr. october hawked a loogie on this one"...
What i don't understand is who the hell auctions off a 2000 bentley or a lambo from the 90's (saw these yesterday) both cars went for well under what the commentators said they should have... so why would you put these cars up for auction this early in their life, am i missing something?
Still can't stop watching...
With the aquisition of Robosaurus I'm one step closer to world domination.
Headline ....
$12 Million in Overpriced Cars Destroyed When Robosaurus Goes Berserk
@djdare:
If there weren't people out there who made bad decisions the whole business would not be profitable for buyers and, thus, nobody would show up :)
Well, that's not really true. Plenty of middle aged wealthy types who want to buy back their squandered youth using their new cash-money would still be around...
@PropStrike:
I would pay money to see that.
Maybe not $12m though.
So... let me get this straight here... they have a giant fire spewing lizard that loves cars at the Barrett Jackson auction. Isn't that like inviting an alcoholic to a wine tasting?
@Turbo:
Thanks for the invite
Headline........
Robosaurus Last Seen Heading into Desert Laughing
Linda Vaughn and ZR1 Missing
@djdare: Yes, you're missing the fact they are attention whores and over drinks at the club they want to tell their fellow cranks, "Oh, yes, I sent the Bentley to Barrett-Jackson, don't you know. Rolled it up right behind Mrs. Gotrocks' Bentley and the Million Dollar Corvette."
@TurboBrick: Actually, he's being paid to keep the flesh and blood dragons away!
@Novaload: SandyWongasaurus?!?!
Wait, does it do this?
@DefinitelyNotPOLAR!: Hey, you're supposed to be grounded. And you're up past your bedtime. And ranting about kitten skulls. POLAR IZ BACK AT FULL STRENGTH!
@jeremyc: It doesn't have Bender's degree of attitude, either, alas.
Feed it Jack Thompson, see what happens.
Jackson should take a step back and look at where this auction is headed. Too much Hollywood and SPEED will probably cut there coverage back again next year... on the downhill slide i'm afraid, but enjoyed most except for the last 4 hours yesterday. Somebody get Rob Schneider a couple more cocktails so at least he might fall off the car next time...
"Truckasaurus!!!!"
(ROBOSAURUS ACCIDENTALLY CRUSHES "RONDINE")
ROBOSAURUS to RON PRATTE: "Oops ... sorry."
who is the dragon and who is the machine?
"the foot high stainless steel teeth"
Someone needs instructions on basic marketing.
Should read "12-inch razor sharp stainless steel teeth". Sounds much more impressive. Who measures teeth by how "high" they are?? Do sharks have 3 inch high teeth?
They were REALLY whoring this thing out. The guy doing the voice says "wait, not yet" just as the hammer falls and they yell out "sold". You could tell the owner wanted to try to pimp it out for more money.
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