This Belly Tank Lakester was reportedly built to run on the El Mirage dry lake in the late 1940s and was discovered approximately 15 years ago near Victorville, California. It was purchased by the seller 10 years ago and was the BaT People’s Choice: Best Feature of 2009. Built from a WWII-era aircraft drop tank and a Ford Model T frame, the car is powered by a V8-60 flathead featuring twin Stromberg 81 carburetors, an Eddie Meyers intake, and an electric starter. The 3-speed manual transmission is equipped with reverse, and recent maintenance consisted of a transmission leak repair and a new battery. This Lakester is now being offered on a bill of sale in Costa Mesa, California.

The aluminum bodywork is built from Lockheed P-38 Lightning drop tank, and the Model T frame has been reversed and pinched to fit inside. The seller notes corrosion on some steel surfaces.

The car rides on red-painted wire wheels wearing Ford V8 center caps and Firestone tires. Braking is from Model A drilled rear hydraulic drums controlled by a hand lever in the cockpit.

The single-seat cockpit is located beneath the front clamshell and features an aluminum seat with a lap belt, as well as a bomber-style yoke steering wheel. Stewart Warner instrumentation consists of an 8k-rpm tachometer and gauges for water temperature and oil pressure.

Power is from a 136ci flathead V8 mounted behind the driver. It is equipped with an electric starter, twin Stromberg 81 carburetors, and a Harmon-Collins magneto, along with an Eddie Meyers intake manifold and high-compression cylinder heads. Maintenance in 2019 included a transmission leak repair and a new battery.

The 3-speed manual transmission has a reverse gear and sends power to a Halibrand quick-change rear end. The car is equipped with a 2-gallon fuel tank and 6-gallon water tank, and the seller reports that it can only be driven for five to seven minutes at a time. This Lakester is featured in the short film that is attached below.