World’s tallest man gets custom car

Posted Tue Mar 25 2008 7:35 AM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

At 2.58m (8ft 5in) tall, Ukrainian born Leonid Stadnyk, the world’s tallest man, will find it tough getting behind the wheel of almost any vehicle. That’s why the Ukrainian government, at the request of its President Viktor Yushchenko, has delivered to Stadnyk a custom Chevrolet minivan capable of accommodating his extraordinary size.

A lack of suitable vehicles meant Stadnyk was never able to apply for a driver’s license but after years of walking the 37-year old giant decided to finally write to President Yushchenko to help find a car. Yushchenko then enlisted a team of engineers from the country’s ZAZ factory in Zaporizhia to help put together the custom vehicle.

“For now someone will have to drive me,” Stadnyk told the BBC. “But I will resolve the question of a driver’s license soon.”

Stadnyk has suffered from an unusual growth disorder since the age of 14 after an operation on his brain supposedly stimulated his pituitary gland. Stadnyk stands an additional 22cm (8in) over the previous record-holder, China’s Bao Xishun, who measures in at 2.36m (7ft 9in).

Reader Comments

Tue Mar 25 2008 8:07 AM
chris says

its funny; he makes that thing look like a subcompact city car, and when you see the other guy (president?) you realize its actually an MPV.
Tue Mar 25 2008 9:04 AM
SuperSkyline89 says

What?!?!? This is all I get for being the world's tallest guy?!?! Screw this, get me a custom Ferrari or I'll declare myself an Italian!! They give their cops Lamborghini's, just imagine what they give their Guinness Record holders!!
Tue Mar 25 2008 9:27 AM
Ayax says

I sad to see its a rebadged daewoo thats hes getting.......... -_-
You could be limited in resources and possibly cant get him a hi-end sportscar/saloon but if you're gonna give it publicity "LOOK AT ME IM HELPING HIM, ME GOOD PRESIDENT"..then find a more respectable car to work with, at least a BMW....something like a 5 series, or hell a 7
Tue Mar 25 2008 5:28 PM
Sir Yappie says

he would have been better with a Landcuiser or something like that...as it would have been easier for him to get in and out of !
Thu Mar 27 2008 8:23 AM
germandude says

I think they should have built a supersized version of the Peel P50 for him, that would have looked hilarious!

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