How drag-racers do Christmas: the 500-hp SnowMonster is beautifully abominable

By Alexander Kalogianni December 22, 2014

Santa baby, the ol’ flying sleigh has its benefits, I’m sure. When you make your rounds to Sweden, though, I suggest stopping by Lindberg Bros. Motorsports to pick up the V8-Powered SnowMonster for the rest of your runs.

Posted on the funny car racing team’s Youtube channel, brothers Jonnie and Johan say Merry Christmas by firing up the SnowMonster, a mish-mash of metal built solely for the purpose of winter shenanigans. This Christmas Frankenstein’s monster is sure to spook any nearby reindeer with its roaring, flame-spitting powerplant.

Lindberg Bros. SnowMonster — Image used with permission by copyright holder

According to the site Boss Cat Legacy, the SnowMonster was built on a Volvo Duett frame by LIndberg Bros. mechanic and patriarch, Lars Erik Lindberg. A 7.4-liter V8 engine by Chevrolet cooks up between 550 to 600 horsepower. It sends that power through a Chevy automatic transmission fitted with a Hurst shifter, mated to the treads from an Arctic Cat Lynx snowmobile.

Looking past the 1923 Ford replica body kit, this is essentially a V8 with skates, and it looks like one hell of a plaything. You’d expect nothing less from a family who races a car that does 268 mph and has a 0 to 60 time that’s under 1.0 second.

So, Mr. Claus, while it doesn’t look like there’s a place for a gargantuan sack of toys, I’m sure the crazy Swedes who built the thing will be more than happy to throw a truck bed of some kind on the back. Just don’t wrap it around a tree, and you’ll be finished in half the time.

Alexander Kalogianni

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Alex K is an automotive writer based in New York. When not at his keyboard or behind the wheel of a car, Alex spends a lot of…

Mobile

The 6 best car phone holders in 2024

Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Wireless Car Charger with an iPhone 14 Pro.

Belkin BoostCharge Magnetic Wireless Car Charger Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Installing a car phone mount in your vehicle is the best way to make sure that you have easy access to your smartphone when behind the wheel. While you shouldn't be using your phone while driving, having it mounted on your windshield, dashboard, vent, or anywhere else will let you take a quick glance when you're using a navigation app, or to change your playlist when you stop for a traffic light, for example. Instead of having to pick up your device, it will be easier and faster to get these done while it's on a car phone mount for less time of having your eyes off the road.

Cars

Should you buy a used EV? Maybe, but it’s complicated

Electric cars are slowly but surely getting cheaper. Over the past year or so, Ford and Tesla have been discounting their most popular electric cars while other brands, like Rivian, are laying the groundwork for all-new cheaper models.

But you'd still be hard-pressed to call electric cars cheap, and buying a completely new car in the first place is a hurdle in and of itself for many potential buyers. According to Statista, used car sales represented around 74% of all car sales in 2022, and while this figure is likely to change as electric cars get cheaper, the fact remains that most car buyers would prefer to save cash and buy used rather than buy something new.
Buying a new car ain't what it used to be
Buying a car with an electric powertrain doesn't necessarily need to be all that different from buying an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. But there's a little more to it than that.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Will the R2 be a better buy?

Side of the Rivian R2

The Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it could end up being the go-to EV for drivers who want a decently affordable electric car with a rugged look and feel. But when it finally launches to the public, it won't be the only option in its price range -- the Ford Mustang Mach-E could be one of its main competitors.

The Mustang Mach-E may not be quite as rugged-feeling as the Rivian R2, but it does have a lot going for it -- like an increasingly low price, sleek design, and comfortable interior. Is one of these EVs better than the other? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The first thing to note about the two cars is their design, as they’re pretty different. The Rivian R2 is built to be a little more rugged and outdoorsy, while the Mach-E instead has a sleeker and sportier look to it. Both cars look stylish and modern.