The creators of the 14-wheel Lada and the walking Lada with metal legs have unveiled yet another wild creation.
Lada’s classic Fiat 124-derived sedans have proven to be surprisingly adaptable for outrageous modifications. Over the years, we’ve seen one with 14 wheels, another walking on metal legs, and even one riding on tank tracks. But this V16-powered creation takes things to a whole new level. Don’t expect a high-performance supercar engine, though—this home-built masterpiece uses 16 two-stroke, single-cylinder chainsaw engines.
Unsurprisingly, the brains behind the 14-wheeler and the walking Lada, the Russian mechanics at Garage 54, dreamed up this wild idea using components you could find at a garden center. The project began with 16 chainsaws from a lesser-known brand called Hüter. The team stripped the unneeded parts from each chainsaw, extracted the engines, and figured out how to combine them into a single unit. The solution? Arrange them in a V formation—because if it works for Bugatti, why not for a Lada?
The design is surprisingly ingenious. The engines are mounted on a custom-built frame and work together to spin a metal rod through a toothed gear welded to each crankshaft. A network of cables connects the 16 cylinders to the gas pedal, while the flywheel, starter motor, and manual transmission are standard Lada components. After overcoming a few minor setbacks, the engine roared to life in a glorious puff of blue smoke.
Fitting a 51-inch-long engine into a Lada isn’t as daunting as it sounds if you’ve got welding skills. Garage 54 tackled the challenge by cutting off the front end, extending it, and welding it back in place. Opting to leave the engine exposed rather than fabricate a hood, the team took their long-wheelbase creation out for its first drive.
