In the automotive world, the term one-of-a-kind gets thrown around a lot. If you’ve made any kind of custom modification to your ride, it’s fair to say it’s “one-of-a-kind,” but the vehicles created by car designer and collector Gary Wales bring a whole new level to the sentiment. That’s because no matter how like-minded anyone’s sense of design may be to Wales’, there’s just no creating anything close to his custom line of “Beasts.” Check out one of the latest in the video from Roads & Rides above.

If you’ve ever come across a Gary Wales creation, you’ve undoubtedly known it, or at least recognized that it was like no other creation you’d ever seen before. Among these creations that Wales is known for are his unique line of “Beasts”, or custom torpedo-bodied cars that are built around the chassis of vintage American La France chain-driven firetrucks.

Truly one of the greatest creative minds in the industry, Wales, though built atop a similar chassis each time, designs each of his Beasts as true rolling pieces of art; ones that top the list of one-of-a-kind creations. Like Wales says in the Roads & Rides video above, they are unique creations built strictly from his imagination and act as his personal salute to the defining years of the automobile. By this he means a time when cars were much more than just means of getting around; rather, they were points of pride and status.

Aside from the chassis and the 900 ci 14L engine that powers each exotic vehicle, every Beast is different, including this particular one dubbed La Bestioni. Of the most distinguishing features, La Bestioni can be separated from the rest via its massive copper gas tank and hand-hammered water tank end cap that now graces the back of the car.

These two pieces are actually where the basis of the vehicle’s design came from, as Wales built La Bestioni around these two antique pieces.

Of course, being a COMPLETELY custom creation, La Bestioni features design elements and key concepts seemingly straight from a fairytale.

After all, can a vehicle be so wildly unique without being that far out of the box?

Now, we’re well aware that La Bestioni or any of the other Beasts may be out of the realm for traditional hot rodders. In fact, some may even consider Wales’ creations to be outlandish or ridiculous. But no one can deny the level of imagination and unique design elements that went into creating such a vehicle. And unlike many a hot rod, this one gets enjoyed on the road as much as it does on the show circuit!