Most of us get really excited when the item we order off eBay finally arrives at our doorstep. What if we told you that this guy not only experienced that, but also actually found a treasure inside as well? Nick Mead is definitely a lucky guy. After the eBay transaction, he and his business both earned notoriety. The news even hit international publications and made people discuss the Middle East conflict once more. We hope you are ready to learn about the story of a small business owner who, thanks to his discovery, could soon be a millionaire. Read on to see exactly what happened!
Man Buys Tank From eBay, He Couldn’t Believe What Was Inside
A Surprise Treasure Hunt
Nick Mead was browsing the internet, on the lookout for a new combat vehicle to join his already vast collection. On that fateful day, he stumbled into a Russian T-54 that was being sold on eBay. He felt inspired by the tank and thought of a rather unorthodox business idea. He knew that he needed this Russian tank for his very own ‘tank driving experience’ company, Tanks-A lot. During an interview with the Daily Mail, Mead explained, “I saw it advertised and I had this idea of doing a ‘From Russia With Love’ experience, where people would come and drive three Russian tanks.” Although he was not exactly seeking out any buried treasure, it came his way anyway.
A Surprise Treasure Hunt
The Russian T-54
The Russian T-54 is a model that was part of a line of main battle tanks the Soviet Union introduced in the years that immediately followed the Second World War. Over the course of history, the tanks have played big parts in various armed conflicts in different parts of the globe. It is even believed that more than 100,000 of these tanks had been created until its end of production in 1979. At that point, they replaced it with newer models. It was used in active battle in numerous armed conflicts such as the Vietnam War, the Angolan Civil War, as well as many conflicts in the Middle East.
The Russian T-54
Missing Out On Treasure
So, who exactly was selling an old Soviet tank on eBay? It was none other than the 23-year-old Joe Hewes. He might have been hoping to sell the war tank, although he ended up trading it for something else. In exchange for the tank, Mead gave him two armored vehicles! Together, those two had an estimated worth of about $42,000. At the time, he had no idea that there was a fortune hiding in the tank he was planning to sell. The swap might have sounded nothing short of decent but just wait until you hear that the hidden treasure was worth more than 60 times the vehicles he got in return!
Missing Out On Treasure
It’s The Inside That Counts
Nick Mead has been building up his collection of combat vehicles for an impressive amount of time now. He knows better than anyone how these things are often more than meets the eye. Everyone knows that tanks are deadly war machinery, although there have been times when they were used for more than just that. During uncertain political climates, these tanks were used to transport people and objects to safety. Of course, quite a number of them carried important people and valuable treasure during the time they were in active use. That must be how this specific tank came to have a hidden treasure hiding inside of it.
It’s The Inside That Counts
The Fascinating History Of This Tank
There is no doubt that the story behind the Soviet tank he ended up buying from eBay is an interesting tale. The tank might have been Soviet in design, but it was made in China and then used in Iraq by the army under the command of the infamous Saddam Hussain. Tanks were subjected to extensive use in the Iran-Iraq war that spanned 8 years and killed hundreds of thousands of people. After the war ended in a stalemate, Iraqi tanks were then used for the invasion of Kuwait. At this point in history, Iraq stole countless treasures from the rich nation in the Persian Gulf. Many of those priceless objects were transported by tanks.
The Fascinating History Of This Tank
Working On It
Not long after he got his tank, Mead and the rest of the Tanks-Alot team immediately went to work on it. They had to examine the condition of the tank, replace the damaged parts, and restore the parts that have corroded over time. They did all of these and more to ensure that the tank is back in working condition. Part of this process involved checking every single corner of the vehicle, so they had to be completely thorough as they went through it. After all, just the mere act of overlooking a single part could spell a critical malfunction in the future. Mead wanted to ensure the safety of his customers at all costs.
Working On It
Making The Discovery Of A Lifetime
After working on the vehicle for countless hours, the team found something that was completely out of the ordinary. One of the fuel canisters of the tank did not seem to work, almost as if it was disabled on purpose. They could tell there was something inside of it based on the weight of the canister. It was immediately clear to them that this was something that was not supposed to be found when it was in active use. After they removed the canister from the tank, they discovered something that they did not expect at all whatsoever.
Making The Discovery Of A Lifetime
The Right Thing
With caution and anticipation, the team then took out the fuel canister and braced themselves for whatever might be hidden inside. The best-case scenario meant it would be a valuable object. However, the worst-case scenario could mean putting their life at stake. The Tanks-A lot team discovered a stockpile of ammunition inside the fuel tank. They were able to let out a sigh of relief, at least for the moment. They still had to report the ammunition and then report it to the authorities for disposal. They could not tell how old these bullets were and if they could still be used. Using a faulty or corroded bullet could be disastrous, and they wanted to do everything as carefully as they possibly could.
The Right Thing
Second Secret
After making this first find, the team felt even more diligent. They knew that there was a good chance that this tank was hiding more items inside of it. And as luck would have it, they actually stumbled into another secret as they searched it some more! Around the same time that they found the ammunition, they discovered yet another non-functional fuel tank. However, the difference was that it was a lot heavier than the first one. This one came with neither ammo or fuel but a different object altogether.
Second Secret
Care And Caution
The team was practically positive that the canister would bear firearms. After all, it would make perfect sense since they did find ammunition earlier. However, the suspicion that it was something else began to creep up on them right after they disconnected the canister. They decided that it would be a good idea to take a video as they unveiled whatever it was inside. One reason they did this was to document that it was not theirs in case the object turned out to be something illegal and dangerous. That sounds like a great plan to us.
Care And Caution
An Actual Treasure
Can you believe that the fuel canister had been so heavy that two people had to use crowbars to make it high enough to go and reach inside? The underside had to be broke open if they wanted to get the items out. That was how Mead’s colleague found himself putting his hand inside of it without knowing what was inside. It took several moments to struggle with the heavy item, but at last, he was able to pull out a slightly shining brick. After brushing it off with his clothes, he discovered that what he was holding was actually a gold bullion! No one was more surprised than the Tanks-A lot team!
An Actual Treasure
The Thrill Of Treasure
Of course, you can probably imagine how excited everyone in the room felt at that moment. Even the two people holding the heavy canister up suddenly felt the adrenaline rush through them, which resulted in something that resembles super strength. Todd Chamberlain, a mechanic on the team, reached in to see if there were more gold bars inside. It was like magic, the way he brought out another gold bullion whenever he put his hand inside. Another team member said that it was a better experience than seeing a dog bearing pups. They kept coming out one after another until they had a grand total of five gold bullions.
The Thrill Of Treasure
The Internet Is A Strange Place
Nowadays, people can practically buy anything they want online. Mind you, we are not even slightly joking when we say anything. We might take it for granted, but the internet can be a truly dark place. We do not even have to talk about the dark web to see that this is the reality. Even the perfectly legal multibillion-dollar e-commerce site called eBay is already full of odd products. Apparently, there have people selling oddities like imaginary friends, chewing gum Britney Spears chewed on, and even unassembled snowmen. Even tanks are not spared by this online marketplace.
The Internet Is A Strange Place
Used To It
As you have already learned earlier in this article, Nick Mead has the unusual hobby of collecting tanks. Not just figurines, but the actual things themselves! Although you might think it is odd and maybe even illegal to do this, he has already done this multiple times in the past. By the time he purchased this specific tank, his collection of tanks was already pretty impressive. But what could he possibly be planning to accomplish with such an arsenal? Was he a military enthusiast? A coup planner? What was he up to?
Used To It
This Is Why
Now, what exactly was his motivation for buying as many tanks as he possibly could? The reason is his business. Mead is the owner of a company that deals with armored vehicles like tanks. If you are a fan of war movies and the like, there exists a chance that you have already seen a number of his tanks! His company rents tanks and armored vehicles for films and shows. We bet this is the first time you have ever thought about where film and television crew get those things from! Well, now you know the answer to that question. However, even he could not predict what happened next.
This Is Why
What They Do
The name of his company is none other than ‘Tanks-Alot’, which is a perfect description of what he has to offer. He does have a LOT of tanks, after all. If you ever find yourself in or around Helmdon in England, feel free to drop by his farm, drive tanks, and even use a tank to crush a car! The business offers other activities and services as well. For one thing, it is possible to take up a tank driving license course there. After passing the test, you will then be able to purchase a tank from the business. For anyone interested in doing this, you should know they have a lot of tanks for sale!
What They Do
Easier Than You Think
You must be thinking that it is extremely hard to purchase a tank of your own, much less build up an entire collection of it. Apparently, it is not as difficult as most of us think. There are actually a number of companies similar to that of Mead’s in both the United Kingdom and the United States. In a number of cases, they must get the main gun decommissioned. Other than that, the process of obtaining a tank is not a hassle at all. Who would’ve thought, huh?
Easier Than You Think
An Amazing Collection
At this point in time, Nick Mead has more than 150 tanks in his collection. If you ask us, this is basically a personal army. Some small and poor countries don’t even have that much! The tanks he owns come from different parts of the globe, so each one has a unique background and story to come with it. Mead has been active in the business for such a long time that he knows that warfare is not the only time they are used. There are times when people use them for smuggling and hiding. This makes perfect sense when you consider the typical size of a tank.
An Amazing Collection
The Challenger 1
There is a pretty controversial tank in the collection owned by Mead. Known as the Challenger 1, the model happens to be a British main battle tank that only one private citizen is currently in ownership of. We are talking about none other than Nick Mead, of course! However, what makes it so intriguing is the fact that it is still in use by the British military as we speak. This is the reason many people are interested to hear how Mead got his hands on it.
The Challenger 1
A Name For Himself
It remains a mystery as to how Nick Mead got to buy a rare tank that is still in use by the military. However, everyone knows that no one but him could have done it. He is popular in the community for the business he does as well as his enthusiasm for tanks. To be fair, it would be incredibly difficult to hide a tank, especially an entire fleet, in a village like that. Mead is frequently seen driving the tanks and customers regularly go to the farm to enjoy the adrenaline and novelty of driving an armored vehicle.
A Name For Himself
Taking The Kids To School In Style
Even before he made the jaw-dropping discovery of the tank treasure, Nick Mead already made headlines for the way he drove his kids to school. If you are wondering how such a mundane task became newsworthy, you should know that he is not your ordinary guy. Apparently, he used to drop his kids off at school in his 17-tonne tank! Well, that is definitely a very effective way to leave an impression on children. We bet that his kids were instantly the talk of the town after this. Mead said that while his kids enjoy it, they have become so used to it already.
Taking The Kids To School In Style
Perfectly Legal
If you were not surprised about just how easy it is to buy a tank, you will certainly be surprised to hear that there is nothing illegal about driving one on the streets. Yes, they are basically just like regular cars! Of course, Mead is much more likely to attract the attention of other people when he takes his tanks out for a ride. He even shared, “People often do a double take. They can’t believe it, and when they see the tax disc which verifies it’s road legal, they’re even more gobsmacked.”
Perfectly Legal
Joy Rides
Nick Mead likes to take advantage of the legality of his tanks on the street. This is why he often drives them through town. According to him, people tend to wave “as if their hands are going to drop off” when they catch sight of him. He also likes to tease the police. “The police often grin or look the other way and most of them don’t know what to do, it’s not every day you see a tank rolling into town,” he told The Telegraph. He clearly likes to mess with people without doing anything illegal!
Joy Rides
Safety Is Top Priority
Although it is legal to drive the tanks, it does not mean that it is simple to drive a huge war machine across a bustling street in the city. A wrong move could mean crushing a car in his way or something equally as bad. He has admitted that he made several close calls during his joy rides, but the only thing that has ever happened to him was accidentally removing a fuel cap from a bus that got too near. He explained, “But in my 20 years driving tanks I’ve never had one crash, I’m always extremely careful, especially with the kids.”
Safety Is Top Priority
Where They Came From
Many people speculate that the gold bullions had been stolen by Iraqi soldiers when they invaded the small nation on the Persian Gulf back in 1990. After all, Iraq took valuable items priced to be billions of dollars during the occupation. Many of them were never returned. By the end of the war, Iraq gave back 3,216 gold bars, and each of these had been weighed individually. The United Nations forces oversaw the return process. The other possibility was that it came directly from the personal stash of Saddam Hussain! After the US invaded Iraq, troops discovered nearly a billion dollar’s worth of treasure.
Where They Came From
Dangers Of Keeping It
Although Nick Mead was not immune to the idea of keeping the treasure for himself, he knew that it was nothing but a terrible idea. The gold he and his team discovered inside the Soviet tank has an estimated worth of $2.4 million. It was only a matter of time before the rest of the company learned about it since word spread quickly. If he decided to keep it for himself, he knew that it meant putting not only his life on the line but also that of his family and employees.
Dangers Of Keeping It
Everyone’s Reaction
It did not take long before the incredible story went viral on social media. Of course, it also made headlines. People were amazed to hear the decision Mead made as well as to learn that it is that easy to get a tank. We are sure very few of them even knew it was legal. We suppose that people who dreamt of building their own personal armies know now better. Reports tracked down the person who sold the tank on eBay as well. Apparently, he did not express any bitter sentiments about the gold. According to him, however, he wanted to get a pint of beer with Mead if the buyer decided to keep it.
Everyone’s Reaction
By The Book
The whole team at Tanks-A lot was overjoyed by this unbelievable find. They never thought they would ever come across solid gold bars in their lifetimes, especially not from a tank they bought from eBay. However, the real question now was whether they could and should keep them. Of course, someone decided to bring the whole crew back down to reality by asking this important question. Nick Mead is clearly a grounded man who had both his wits and principles about him, which is evident by the way he said they would report it to the authorities and do everything by the book. Color us impressed!
By The Book
What Authorities Did
Mead then got in touch with the police to let them know of the incredible discovery they found inside the tank. Police officers immediately dropped by the shop to collect the gold bars and ammunition. By the end of this encounter, the only thing they left with Mead was a receipt. At that point, it was the only connection he had to the gold bars as they were taken to the UK police station to be locked away for safekeeping. The police said they were going to try and look for the rightful owners of this fortune.
What Authorities Did
What Mead Will Get
British police continue to look for the rightful owner of the gold in order to return it to the proper hands. However, there is another question that continues to nag on the minds of people who head about the story. What will happen to the gold in case they are unable to find the original owner? Mead has said that he still has the receipt the police gave him. He said that he will receive a finder’s fee at most. However, he is still keeping his hopes up that he will have the chance to claim the five gold bullions for himself. We don’t blame him!
What Mead Will Get
All These Creative Suggestions
The discovery made by Nick Mead and his crew intrigued many social media users. Some of the commenters were impressed by the amazing find, although there were people who expressed shock that he even reported it to the police. There was one commenter who came up with an intricate plan. Jeremy Wetzel suggested keeping the discovery on the down-low and then selling it discreetly to get some under-the-table money. Meanwhile, others thought it would be better if they just turned the gold into harmless-looking jewelry. Do you think any of these people came up with these from experience?
All These Creative Suggestions
Finders Keepers
Do you think Nick Mead did the right thing when he told authorities about the ammunition and gold they found? Of course, the answer will depend on the person you are talking to. Another commenter, a man named Nicholas Van Pelt, felt that the “finders keepers” line of thought applied here. Something similar happened to a Californian man called John. He bought a storage unit that contained rare gold coins! He sold the coins for auction and effectively turned the $1,100 investment into $500,000 profit! At this point, we can only speculate what would have happened if Mead decided to do the same thing.
Finders Keepers
A Clever Plan
Although many commenters did not approve of the way he went about it, someone considered it to be a clever move. Mead might have turned it in, but it is actually likely that he would get it back later on. A commenter by the name of Nick Rapaport has suggested that it would be impossible to find the original owner since it made its way to a hidden canister on the tank. When they exhaust their efforts into the manhunt, Nick Mead should be the next in line for it!
A Clever Plan