There are no original ideas, or so many people like to tell themselves, but the truth is that there’s still people out with fresh thoughts, even if it’s within a well-established niche. Hot rodders have been mixing-and-matching cars, engines, body panels, and everything else since long before most of us were even born, but people are still coming up with mind-blowing builds that are way outside of the ordinary.

Born from a family love of excavators, this Caterpillar-powered Studebaker rat rod is a shining example of a new idea executed to perfection, albeit after a lot of hard, custom work.

Powered by a Caterpillar C-12 engine producing between 340 and 490 horsepower and backed by a 10-speed Eaton transmission, this goliath drivetrain would literally crush the stock 1928 Studebaker frame.

Instead, a custom frame comprised of scavenged big rig frames supports both the Studebaker Commander body and the oversized drivetrain. Also “borrowed” from Caterpillar is the front grille, bumper, and headlight setup, completing the construction theme.

Obviously there must be a story behind this car, and from ScottieDTV we learn that “Snapper’s Caterpillar Buggy” was born from a grandfather’s love of Caterpillar excavators. Embarked upon in 2010 after a Photoshop dreaming session, the completely custom build took approximately 11 months to complete.

While a diesel-powered hot rod is nothing new, basing an entire build around a popular brand of excavators is a unique twist, as is powering said build with a behemoth of an engine.

It’s not just different for the sake of being different though; rather, it is one man’s tribute to a dearly-beloved grandfather, and a way to keep his memory alive.