April 29, 2024

Linkage Mag

Geared for the Automotive Life

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Buy a Battle Tank in Palm Beach

Calling all military vehicle collectors — or anyone who’s ever lost a battle with their HOA. Barrett-Jackson’s annual Palm Beach auction is just around the corner — April 18-20 — and the docket is now live. Included this year among the glossy lots is one very heavy piece of machinery: a 1976 Leopard 1 A5 Battle Tank.

The Kampfpanzer Leopard 1 was designed by Porsche and built by Krauss Maffel in West Germany starting in 1965. These tanks were built to be quick and lethal rather than heavily armored, which meant that it had a high power to weight ratio and superior maneuverability over other main battle tanks of the era — a very Porsche solution. It also packed a punch thanks to a German-licensed British Royal Ordinance L7 105mm rifled gun (which has since be deactivated along BATF regulations). It’s been completely refurbished and is said to be operational — and it’s fitted with rubber treads, so it won’t tear up asphalt or concrete when you park it on the street.

This is one of 4,744 built — but you’re not likely to see another in your neighborhood anytime soon. As with most lots at a Barrett-Jackson auction, it’s being offered at no reserve. 

Other lots on offer in Palm Beach include a 2022 Ford GT Alan Mann Heritage Edition, a 2021 Ford GT Carbon Series, a 2022 Ferrari SF90 Spider, a 1966 Aston Martin Vantage Saloon, a 1970 Plymouth Superbird, a 2020 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ and a number of high-level restorations and restomods.

The auction takes place from April 18-20 at the South Florida Fairgrounds in Palm Beach, FL.

See the complete docket here.

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