Guinness World Record-breaking Tacoma Hits Auction Block
For the price of a Ford Raptor, one lucky buyer snagged this Polar Expedition truck that reportedly cost $400,000 to build.
For adventurers and enthusiasts looking to explore the coldest parts of the world, nothing can compete with the machines from Arctic Trucks. The Iceland-based company is known for taking everyday pickup trucks and turning them into monstrous beasts that can get through the most extreme conditions. While Arctic Trucks’ builds can cost as much as a house, one lucky bidder managed to get this record-setting Tacoma for the same price of a Ford F-150 Raptor.
We found this badass 2010 Toyota Tacoma Polar Expedition truck on Barrett-Jackson, where the record-setting machine sold for just $52,800, which is a steal.
The incredible machine, which is referred to as “Polar,” started off as a regular Tacoma, but received numerous upgrades to ensure that the vehicle could conquer terrain in temperatures below negative 128 degrees Fahrenheit. Some of the exterior updates include 44-inch Mickey Thompson Icepack Tires, military grade steel, a larger rear differential, a nine-ton winch, heavy-duty HT coil springs, a 330-gallon fuel tank, a NATO green vinyl wrap, and so much more. While the Polar looks like a Tacoma, it’s practically a completely different vehicle.
Changes have also been made to the inside of the truck where four racing seats, an insulated cab with a roll cage, a custom-mounted camera system, and more have been added to the regular Tacoma’s interior. Just like the exterior, the interior is built for the sole purpose of traveling over rough terrain, as it emphasizes function over form.
Arctic Trucks also beefed up the powertrain as the 4.0-liter TRD supercharged V6 engine was upgraded to crank out 380 horsepower with power going down through a four-wheel-drive system, a necessity when tackling the Arctic’s treacherous terrain.
With all of the modifications, we can see why the company charged $400,000 for the truck when it was new. And, as New Atlas reports, with the truck’s Guinness World Record for fastest overland journey to the South pole in December 2011, one would expect the vehicle to fetch at least $100,000 at auction. But it went for roughly half of that, which is one heck of a good deal. Hopefully, the new owner gets tired of the machine soon and relists it using Barrett-Jackson, as this would be the perfect winter sleigh.