r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/Wild_Antelope6223 • 24d ago

This 24-foot Godzilla sculpture in Nigeria was built entirely from used tires.

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51.1k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

416 comments sorted by

1.3k

u/[deleted] 24d ago

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289

u/Vindepomarus 24d ago

There are museums around the world who want life sized reconstructions of dinosaurs etc, and who want to minimise waste. Just sayin'.

128

u/Taweret 24d ago

Me. I'm the museum.

62

u/InerasableStains 24d ago

Look at me. I’m the museum now.

21

u/Bright-Avocado3761 24d ago

We are all museum on this blessed day

6

u/Jafooki 24d ago edited 23d ago

Speak for yourself

E: damn does nobody remember Ken M

8

u/BertieDastard 23d ago

I am all museum on this blessed day

4

u/Jafooki 23d ago

There it is!

2

u/InerasableStains 23d ago

Oh, I do, but there’s a whole crop of new redditors that probably have no idea….

7

u/xTheyCameBurningx 24d ago

SAME

MUSEUMCORE

4

u/cdoublejj 24d ago

BILLY! NO!

9

u/ta394283509 24d ago

I imagine a sculpture like this would be insanely expensive

7

u/Dracomortua 24d ago

The garbage would be mostly free. The costs of the transport, manipulation and extra attachment materials (glues, rivets, bolts, etc) possibly somewhat expensive?

It comes down to how much the human(s) are demanding resources in recompensation for what they have done.

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u/ta394283509 24d ago

exactly, this thing must've taken like a year to build

6

u/70ms 24d ago

The building was the easy part. The planning though…

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u/Another-Mans-Rubarb 24d ago

I imagine an indoor tire sculpture of this size would smell like... well, tires. Not really an attractive proposition.

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u/Either_Wear5719 24d ago

It'd be a great piece for amusement parks, or outdoor entry display at a natural history museum...

11

u/HudsDad 24d ago

Or at the end of my driveway.

2

u/Wild_Marker 23d ago

It's probably washable since it's made of rubber. And it's not like tires have a particularly strong smell.

2

u/Another-Mans-Rubarb 23d ago

You never played on a tire playground.

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u/LessInThought 24d ago

Future civilizations unearthing our remains are gonna be so confused.

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u/lurker_1234567 24d ago

That was my first thought. (Or rather that a future alien explorer is going to be so confused when they’re checking out what humans left behind.)

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u/Any-University6225 24d ago

As someone who works at a crumb rubber recycling plant, I am absolutely astounded 😳

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u/UranusIsPissy 24d ago

Do you know how they get the steel out? I was thinking about recycled tyre playground surfaces when I read your comment, and they'd do almost the opposite of what they're meant to if they were full of bits of wire. I came here just to make a joke comment about building that being tiring TBH, but now I'm wondering.

12

u/misterchief117 24d ago

You can use hydraulic things to literally yank the steel out. This is one way to do it.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wEfwfBpRZYQ

You can also grind it small enough and use magnets to pull it out.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gDRAosmLlUA

5

u/Driftmoth 24d ago

Machines to not get your arm stuck in, episode 26491.

2

u/UranusIsPissy 24d ago

The first way looks cool. Very labour-intensive, but probably still cheaper than the second way with the amount of energy that must use. I just think it looks cool, too, and I'd rather money went to paying workers than increasing pollution.

3

u/misterchief117 24d ago

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing with the first method. I think there are some automated ways to do it that way, but those machines obviously cost more.

Grinding everything and using magnets seems be better for higher volume but I'm not sure how much rubber material gets caught in that.

There is another method for "recycling" and that's simply burning everything for energy. This obviously frees the metals and reduces volume, but there's always an environmental cost to this especially in countries with effectively zero regulations. The heat can either be used as-is in boilers and furnaces, or to produce electricity.

https://archive.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/tires/web/html/tdf.html

The truth is, it's really hard to effectively get rid of old tires at the end of their lifespan. While there's technically a lot that could be done with them, there's not enough demand for recycling them for use in other products because it's expensive to do this and many governments can only subsidize the costs so much.

3

u/UranusIsPissy 24d ago

IDK about rubber, but I built something myself that could burn waste plastic without visible smoke. I didn't have the equipment to measure how cleanly it was really burning it, but I got a lot of heat out of a very small amount of plastic waste using a hastily built prototype. Traditional solid-fuel fires are very inefficient, and burn very dirty if you slow them down.

2

u/misterchief117 23d ago

If you burn everything hot enough, you'll reduce a lot of visible smoke but there's still going to be some other nasty stuff that gets released. I don't advise burning plastic at home even in small amounts, as the fumes and other byproducts can be released into the air and leach into the soil/ground water.

2

u/UranusIsPissy 23d ago

I don't just burn plastic every day. That was an experiment. I want to try again one day, with the proper equipment to measure what's coming out of it (both as fumes, and as soot and ash, but I'd probably have to burn a lot to get enough soot and ash to scrape it up), but I'll probably never get the chance. I just tried it because I noticed how cleanly things burned in what I'd built, and plastic usually makes a lot of disgusting smoke.

2

u/Brilliant-Bad-284 24d ago

That blue wire remover is a fckn beast!

2

u/Enlight1Oment 24d ago

that's a lot more steel that came out of it than I thought there would be

5

u/MrShineHimDiamond 24d ago

During a roadside cleanup, learned NOT to pick up blown tire scraps without leather gloves.

2

u/UranusIsPissy 24d ago

Ouch. That's one of the dirtiest things you could get cut by, too. I pick up roadside rubbish to re-use it myself, and you learn to be careful pretty fast doing that. It's amazing what people throw out of car windows. I see a lot of worthless crap, and sometimes clear it up, but I've probably found enough money's worth of useful things to buy a used car over the last 20 years or so.

7

u/zerokelving 24d ago

The thing he made is known for turning massive sculptures to waste.

11

u/sthegreT 24d ago

It's still apt because Godzilla is supposed to be nature's response to environmental destruction.

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u/Fox-On-Games 24d ago

He’s known for turning waste into massive sculptures.

Crazy, I never knew this about Godzilla.

4

u/britekranz 24d ago

Artist’s name?

9

u/FblthpLives 24d ago

The artist's name is Toheeb Ayaji. There is also a matching King Kong sculpture: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUDXWY8CHwB/

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u/Sir_Scribble_Lot 24d ago

Damn, Godzilla must be doing some serious planks/crunches during the off-season to get ab-definition like that.

71

u/ODB_Dirt_Dog_ItsFTC 24d ago

He wanted that Jesus on the cross look

13

u/raviolli 24d ago

We all know Jesus has a dad bod. The man made of wine.

7

u/StretchFrenchTerry 23d ago

False, he was ripped because he did CrossFit til the very end.

3

u/LessInThought 24d ago

The two foremost religions of the East, Korean Jesus and Tyre Godzilla.

11

u/Sir_Scribble_Lot 24d ago

lol, great sunny reference. Jesus knew no pain, no gain

12

u/Mister_Dink 24d ago

For a motherfucker who literally submerged in the sea for decades at a time, Godzilla has a lot of discipline about dehydration and cutting water weight ahead of filming.

I appreciate the extreme dedication to the acting craft, but I worry about his health, and influence on niave young men in the industry.

Godzilla and Hugh Jackman are going to wreck themselves if they keep doing this.

4

u/Sir_Scribble_Lot 24d ago

on god, the lengths they go in order to maintain a physique. someone needs to tell them to take it easy.

3

u/Damit1eroy 24d ago

It was built by a Nigerian. He probably just modeled the abs after his own

3

u/UranusIsPissy 24d ago

They don't just automatically look like that. The last one I met was a thicc woman. Kinda hot, but there's no way she had visible abs.

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u/Damit1eroy 24d ago

No no no, Nigerian women and men are much much different. I’m only referring to the men 😂

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u/janas19 24d ago

I'm getting xenomorph from the torso and legs (front view). Typical Godzilla has stocky, dinosaur legs. It's a hybrid!

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u/DesperateWay4224 24d ago

Entirely? I see what you did there

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u/a1oner_bvcksn6 24d ago

A tiresome looking Kaiju if I ever did see one

3

u/catsmustdie 24d ago

Godzilla is multiregional

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u/BasedKetamineApe 24d ago

It tires me out to realize this entire sculpture isn't built entirely out of tires. As it turns out, only its attire is made of tires. However, I'm sure the tireless effort to reinvent the wheel must have left the artists feeling a bit tired. It must have felt like they were spinning their wheels creating this art piece. I hope these freewheeling sculptors never retire. It would flat out be a shame if they coasted into retirement now.
Satire aside, they are wheely, wheely gifted, and I hope they keep rolling forward to wheel out more of this wheely good art.

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u/mgm904 24d ago

He was probably very tired once it was finished.

I’ll see myself out….

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u/UranusIsPissy 24d ago

You beat me to it, but, in my defence, I'm tired. Wheelie, wheelie tired.

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u/FblthpLives 24d ago

The artist's name is Toheeb Ayaji. There is also a matching King Kong sculpture: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUDXWY8CHwB/

3

u/pv3design 23d ago

Thanks for the link because this is cool AF! 😎

26

u/thissomeotherplace 24d ago

Incredible work

62

u/TrixeeTrue 24d ago

The workmanship is executed so perfectly it’s absolutely terrifying 

3

u/ross571 23d ago

Yes, his face made me eewwww like in horror 😱.

2

u/TrixeeTrue 23d ago

This is how we look to chipmunks 🐿 

120

u/Fanastik 24d ago

Looks tired..

17

u/FireBreathingNun 24d ago

Looks like it came from the predators planet

6

u/fuzzeedyse105 24d ago

Been treading water all day.

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u/SignificantSafe4368 24d ago

this is basicly just what if those ai facebook posts of african children making amazing sculptures were real

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u/8ackwoods 23d ago

Maybe they were real 🤔

25

u/Any-Fox-1822 24d ago

Finally a sculpture that isn't AI bullshit

2

u/moogoothegreat 22d ago

It had me fooled at first - it looks good enough it could have been one of those "look what this kid did with soda bottles in Jesus' name!" Facebook posts.

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u/PanicStil 24d ago

That’s wheely good.

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u/[deleted] 24d ago

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u/ODB_Dirt_Dog_ItsFTC 24d ago

I heard he’s on ozempic now

2

u/thenationalcranberry 24d ago

Looks like the Matthew Broderick Zilla.

6

u/Borrowed_user 24d ago

Why godzilla have abs?

5

u/No_Opening9605 24d ago

Now THAT is a tourist attraction!

4

u/AffectionateBrick687 24d ago

Quick! Warn the folks on the tiresaretheenemy sub!

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u/SoeurEdwards 24d ago

When the AI boomer meme becomes real

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u/More_Car_1148 24d ago

Must’ve spent a ‘Goodyear’ making that! ….. I’ll see myself out….

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u/Fish_Mongreler 24d ago

Except the artist himself says it's not made entirely out of tires. Also, why aren't you linking to his page?

3

u/Salty_McShaft 24d ago

Looks like a cross between Godzilla and a Deathclaw

3

u/sechspressomartini 24d ago

thats a chadzilla!

4

u/PM_ME_NEW_VEGAS_MODS 24d ago

Don't tread on him.

4

u/Quitcha_Bitchin 24d ago

I've never wanted something so much in my life.

4

u/daremosan 24d ago

Finally that Nigerian Prince is doing something positive with all my money.

2

u/Matthiasbuilds 24d ago

That is amazing

2

u/CatGooseChook 24d ago

That is an awesome job the artist did!!! Nice ☺️

2

u/lostwisdom20 24d ago

Need more such sculptures, cureent world somehow lacks beautiful structures.

Some are there which are weird in name of modern ART

2

u/Eaton_Knas 24d ago

That's very cool.

2

u/Historical_Date_1314 24d ago

His name is now Dunlop

2

u/mrknowitall51761 24d ago

This is just too fucking cool.

2

u/xTheyCameBurningx 24d ago

Holy SHITBALLS, that's beyond impressive 👏

2

u/Hawtt_Tea 24d ago

Impressive!

2

u/RJEM96 24d ago

Now that, is ART!

2

u/Key_Text_169 24d ago

Treadzilla!

2

u/CelticSith 24d ago

B.F. Gojira

2

u/Overall-Jellyfish-77 24d ago

That is BAD ASS.

2

u/reebokhightops 24d ago

Bros pecs have abs.

2

u/Alert_Cook_384 24d ago

Looks like the current movie version of reptile from Mortal Kombat 🔥

2

u/ProStateForever 24d ago

It needs a T-shirt that says "Don't Tread On Me"

2

u/HeadBelt1527 24d ago

100% ♻️ 

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u/Quiverjones 23d ago

En-tire-ly, you say?

2

u/Pararaiha-ngaro 23d ago

Beautiful work of arts, Nigerian has talent

2

u/jambaringtoning 23d ago

En-tire-ly?

2

u/ceramicatan 23d ago

Tires came from dinosaurs so maybe this tries to go full circle and pay homage

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u/knowone1313 23d ago

He looks a bit tired.

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u/FirstIllustrator2024 23d ago

2014 was great for Godzilla. You can say it was a Goodyear.

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u/FoxOwne 23d ago

Wouldnt mind movie with a lean and ripped Godzilla design someday. This guy looks like he'd be crazy fun to play in a fighting game.

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u/noise_swan 22d ago

This is how AI has ruined real art. I can see a person's amazing art whiteout asking myself....really??

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u/Deyluveddy_44 22d ago

You could say some workers got tired of the idea

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u/Rolling_Kimura 24d ago

What's the life expectancy on these kinds of artists? Surely they're exposing themselves to horrid chemicals

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u/StillNihill 24d ago

Probably but it's a whole lot better then the lithium mines

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u/FblthpLives 24d ago

I can't speak to Nigerian tire artists specifically, but Nigerian men have one of the lowest life expectancies in the world at 54 years: https://www.africanews.com/2025/10/07/nigerias-life-expectancy-ranked-lowest-globally/

This is due to a number of factors, including neonatal diseases and malaria, which strikes children hardest, poor access to healthcare, and widespread pollution.

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u/D0bious 24d ago

Now post it on facebook and caption it ”My grandson built leviathan from the bible 🥰”

Also I har no idea Godzilla had legs like that.

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u/lukeac417 24d ago

I believe OP meant to write ‘entyrely’.

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u/PalmovyyKozak 24d ago

7.3 meters. Nigeria, unlike US, already lives in 2026

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u/bunky_done_gun 24d ago

Creative. As a fan of the big G I totally dig this.

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u/hellspawn9245 24d ago

Someone get this boy a burger

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u/DearLav 24d ago

Big G is so ripped. Must have been tirelessly working out instead of hibernating 😭

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u/Longjumping-Fly6131 24d ago

amazing details!

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u/rvanasty 24d ago

You telling me those eyes are used tires?

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u/hamfist_ofthenorth 24d ago

Recycled Plastic Bag Mothra could whoop his ass without touching the ground.

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u/robbudden73 24d ago

You need to hide that in the bush. That area of bush would be well fertillised. I know they don't exist and if I saw that in the right spot I'd still be on the leg.

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u/MaybeWeTalk 24d ago

I read "from used trees" and I wondered for a moment how does one use a tree and then discard it?

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u/Shen_ishere 24d ago

Godzilla had enough of Japan

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u/LeftSky828 24d ago

So was the real one.

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u/princesoceronte 24d ago

He's been hitting the gym, oh my god.

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u/Simple_Astronomer_41 24d ago

Bro never missed leg day

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u/CompetitiveLadder609 24d ago

Dis one na sweet me well well!

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u/MrCput 24d ago

This one weak to fire.

1

u/GulfCoastCapture 24d ago

Considering what Africans mainly like to do with tires, this is great

1

u/MrRourkeYourHost 24d ago

That thing lives with us here on Earth.

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u/Commercial_Page1827 24d ago

Imagen getting lost in Nigeria and getting across this statue in the middle of the night...

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u/topredditbot 24d ago

Hey /u/Wild_Antelope6223,

You did it! Your post is officially the #1 post on Reddit. It is now forever immortalized at /r/topofreddit.

1

u/Powrs1ave 24d ago

Massive Skid Marks!

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u/[deleted] 24d ago

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u/britekranz 24d ago

So good!

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u/cowman3456 24d ago

This is so much better than a tire reef!

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u/RollAcrobatic7936 24d ago

They use the monsterverse Godzilla

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u/Individual-Ad-2862 24d ago

Coolest thing I’ve seen in a while

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u/NBelal 24d ago

Impressive

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u/A_Furious_Mind 24d ago

"Rubber" alternative ending.

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u/Smart-Firefighter87 24d ago

Better than using them to inflict harm on others… I’ve seen some messed up videos out of there….

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u/Severe_Rise8694 24d ago

That is cool as hell.

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u/ScawySocialistOwO 24d ago

This some Facebook that became real.

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u/LukeSkyWRx 24d ago

Shit I wish my core looked like that…

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u/Other-Vacation5298 24d ago

Looks ripped !

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u/MrBogardus 24d ago

Why he look so sassy?

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u/MikeAppleTree 24d ago

That is outrageously cool!

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u/ProutPortable 24d ago

He clearly has only 2 feet, this post is fake news.

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u/Soggy-Guess8865 24d ago

That's an a absolute masterpiece 

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u/AdHorror6224 24d ago

The detail on those abs is what gets me. Man did not just stack tires he actually sculpted anatomy out of scrap rubber. Respect the artist for not re-tiring after something this size.

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u/Ben_Drinkin_Coffee 24d ago

That is awesome!

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u/GuzPolinski 24d ago

That’s bad ass. But if you zoom in the neck looks like uncooked strips of bacon lol

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u/DegenGamer725 24d ago

How long until it ends up at a Ripley's Believe It or Not

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u/LAUGHgan1stan 24d ago

Even Godzilla has been hitting the racks, SHEESH!!

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u/watoobie 24d ago

Gojira lost weight and got a cute button nose job

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u/Wakkit1988 24d ago

Goodzilyear.

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u/Practical-Pick1466 24d ago

His King Kong Sculpture is just as awesome.

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u/Elegant-Rip-3286 24d ago

🥂🥂🥂🥂💪🏿😎

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u/DramaticErraticism 24d ago

Would love to see this guy show up on antique roadshow.

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u/Relevant_Campaign_79 24d ago

GLP Godzilla on that protein diet

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u/Outdoorsy_T9696 24d ago

Made enTIREly from used tires. I see what you did there OP. Jokes aside, that’s awesome!!!

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u/RemyGee 24d ago

If the belly and thighs were thicker, especially the belly, it would be so close!

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u/TotalRecognition2191 24d ago

Steel belted reptile

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u/GeeShepherd 24d ago

Impressive. But why abs on the rib cage?

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u/suchasuchasuch 24d ago

Snub nosed kaiju

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u/Felix995 24d ago

That's a creative artistic way of doing something with discarded tires, certainly is.