Commonly, we affectionately refer to our daily vehicles as our grocery haulers, although this description may not entirely fit. It’s akin to labeling a Honda CR-V as an off-road vehicle, terms which should be reserved for machines specifically designed for those purposes. A prime example of a genuine grocery carrier would be the colossal Publix shopping cart recently spotted traversing the streets of Florida.
Initially, this enormous shopping cart gained attention online through a TikTok video in January, displaying its neighborhood procession while playing music. Upon closer inspection, we observe a custom tube chassis hosting two seats and a rear-mounted drivetrain. The distinctive dual carburetors and two-cylinder valve cover point to an air-cooled Volkswagen Beetle as the foundation for this supersized cart. Total Precision Fabworx, the Florida-based creator of the vehicle, confirms that the entire structure is constructed atop a VW Sand Rail buggy.
The back of this faithfully reproduced shopping cart body displays an advertisement for a new Publix store—a chain of employee-owned grocery stores widespread in the southeastern US region. Though Publix didn’t provide additional technical details about the cart upon inquiry, they hinted that this appearance might not be a one-time event.
A spokesperson from Publix stated, “The enormous cart captivated attention and represents one of many promotional techniques we utilize for new store launches. While currently used on a limited basis, its future presence may surprise you!”
Publix giant shopping cart. Publix
Naturally, the ideal venue for witnessing this grand cart in action would be a drag strip. Place your bets on whether this oversized shopping cart could outrun the world’s fastest portable toilet in a race—or even the iconic Oscar Mayer Weinermobile. Perhaps they could compete for ownership rights while they’re at it?
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