Key Takeaways:
- Zach Sutton, a 29-year-old mechanical engineer, has created a unique vehicle by welding the front ends of two minivans together, a 1993 Dodge Caravan and a 1991 Plymouth Voyager.
- The vehicle, called "Bak2Bak," has a front half built in Canada and a back half built in the U.S., symbolizing a bit of vehicular diplomacy between the two countries.
- Sutton built the vehicle over three days at a community workshop space in Ferndale, using a laser to split the vehicles in half and welding the two front pieces together.
- The vehicle has gained attention on social media, with millions of views on Instagram, and has become a conversation starter on the road, with people either being confused or laughing and taking pictures.
Introduction to Bak2Bak
The story of Zach Sutton and his unique vehicle, Bak2Bak, is one that has gained attention and sparked curiosity. When Sutton drives his Chrysler minivan down the street, it’s hard to know if he’s coming or going. The vehicle, which is a combination of two front ends of minivans, looks like two conjoined vehicles that could drive in either direction. The front half of the vehicle is an old 1993 Dodge Caravan, while the back half is a 1991 Plymouth Voyager. This unusual vehicle has become a symbol of vehicular diplomacy, with the front half built in Canada and the back half built in the U.S.
The Creation of Bak2Bak
Sutton, who works in the Detroit auto industry, is no stranger to tinkering and building unique projects. He is part of the Detroit Freakbike Experience, a group that builds bicycles using unexpected parts and designs. Sutton’s idea to build a vehicle with two front ends came from his love of car projects, but he wanted something that everyone could appreciate and understand. He built the vehicle over three days at the i3detroit community workshop in Ferndale, a maker space where people with engineering-oriented minds make creative projects. With the help of a fellow builder, Bob Katovich, Sutton used a laser to split the vehicles in half and then welded the two front pieces together.
The Building Process
The process of building Bak2Bak was not an easy one. Sutton and Katovich had to remove everything from the inside of the vehicles and dismantle them before cutting them in half. They then had to figure out what to do with the back halves, which they loaded onto a pickup truck. Sutton removed everything from under the hood of the Voyager, using its headlights as the vehicle’s taillights. The steering on the rear vehicle is locked out, so the vehicle drives like a regular vehicle. The fuel tank is located in the Voyager’s engine bay, and there are only two seat belts in the vehicle.
Reactions to Bak2Bak
When people see Bak2Bak on the road, they are often confused or amused. Sutton says that some people laugh and take pictures, while others are unsure of what to make of the vehicle. The vehicle has gained a significant amount of attention on social media, with millions of views on Instagram. Sutton, however, did not build the vehicle for attention; he simply wanted to drive around and have fun with it. He says that the second day he had the vehicle on the road, someone took a picture of it and put it on Instagram, and it quickly went viral.
Border Crossing and Safety
When Sutton crossed the border into Canada with Bak2Bak, he was not met with any issues. The border guards simply asked him the usual questions, and he was able to pass through without any problems. In terms of safety, Sutton says that the vehicle is safe to drive, but it does have some limitations. The vehicle only has two seat belts, and while four people could fit inside, it would be a tight fit. Sutton has also removed everything from under the hood of the Voyager, which is now used as the vehicle’s taillights.
Conclusion
Bak2Bak, the unique vehicle created by Zach Sutton, is a symbol of creativity and innovation. The vehicle, which is a combination of two front ends of minivans, has gained attention and sparked curiosity. Sutton’s passion for building and creating unique projects has led to the creation of a vehicle that is both functional and fun. While it may not be the most practical vehicle, Bak2Bak is certainly a conversation starter, and its story is one that will continue to inspire and amuse people for years to come.