Wash U. Students Construct a Soapbox Homage to Animal House

Two years ago a group of five Washington University sophomores constructed a Popemobile for Red Bull’s Soapbox Race in Forest Park. The vehicle blew its chassis halfway through the race, but the guys won big style points nonetheless for their papal peddler.

Now seniors at Wash U., the same group is heading to Cincinnati on October 4 to participate in this year’s Red Bull derby. Their entry? None other than that quintessential college cruiser, the “Eat Me” parade float from "Animal House." As fans of the epic flick know, the float’s birthday cake exterior breaks off midway through the parade to reveal a hot-rod undercarriage known as the "Deathmobile."

Check out the video below to meet the car’s creators and see their plans for the vehicle.

(Open "Recreating the Deathmobile" in a new window.)

Here, too, is a video from their 2006 race in the Popemobile. You’ll see driver Matt Schweiker continue on foot when the Popemobile runs out of steam. Notice the wheelie Schweiker pulls halfway through the race.

- Chad Garrison