Buying a tank sounds like a fever dream or something reserved for a Bond villain. Honestly, it’s a lot more common than you’d think. People do it. Collectors, history buffs, and folks with a very specific kind of expendable income dive into this niche market every single year. But the process of when we buy tank—and I mean an actual, rolling piece of heavy armor—isn't as simple as hitting a "Buy Now" button on eBay. It’s a strange, bureaucratic, and greasy world.
You have to think about the logistics. Moving a 40-ton vehicle isn't exactly a DIY project with a pickup truck. It involves heavy-duty low-loaders, specialized permits, and a lot of patience.
The Rules of the Game
Can you actually own a tank? Yeah. In the United States, it’s legal for a civilian to own a tank, provided the "destructive device" part—the big gun—is permanently deactivated. That means the breech is welded shut or a hole is cut in the side of the barrel. If you want a live cannon, you’re looking at a mountain of ATF paperwork, a $200 tax stamp for every single round of ammunition, and a background check that makes a standard firearm purchase look like buying a pack of gum.
Most people don't bother with the live fire. They want the history. They want the smell of diesel and old grease.
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When we buy tank units from overseas, like an old T-72 from a former Soviet bloc country, the Department of State gets involved. You need an import permit (Form 6). You have to prove it’s for "commemorative or display purposes." Customs officials aren't just going to wave through a Main Battle Tank because you said it’s for your backyard. It's a process that can take six months to a year.
Where the Tanks Actually Come From
You don't go to a dealership. Instead, you're looking at specialized brokers like Mortar Investments in the Czech Republic or Army Sales in the UK. Sometimes, they pop up at high-end auctions like Littlefield’s famous collection dispersal back in 2014. That was a watershed moment for the hobby.
Prices vary wildly. A beat-up British Ferret armored car might only set you back $20,000. It’s small, fits in a standard garage, and honestly, it’s kinda practical compared to the alternatives. But if you're eyeing a Sherman from WWII? Be ready to drop between $250,000 and $600,000. If it’s a Panther or a Tiger? You’re talking millions. If you can even find one.
The Cost of Staying Mobile
Buying it is the cheap part. Owning it is the nightmare.
Most tanks get about 0.5 miles per gallon. Let that sink in. You don't "go for a drive"; you plan a strategic fuel deployment. Then there are the tracks. If you drive a steel-tracked tank on a paved road, you’re going to tear up the asphalt, and the local police will be at your door within twenty minutes. You need rubber track pads. These wear out. They’re expensive.
Maintenance requires tools that look like they belong in a giant’s workshop. You aren't using a standard 10mm socket. You’re using wrenches that are two feet long.
The Storage Headache
You can't just leave a Chieftain in your driveway. The neighbors will complain to the HOA, and the rain will turn it into a rust bucket. You need a climate-controlled warehouse. Humidity is the enemy of vintage electronics and leather seats. Plus, these things leak. Oil, transmission fluid, coolant—if it has a fluid, it will eventually end up on your floor.
I’ve seen collectors spend more on the building to house the tank than on the tank itself. It’s a lifestyle commitment. You become a mechanic, a historian, and a logistics manager all at once.
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Why Do This?
It’s about the visceral connection to history. Sitting in the commander’s seat of an M4 Sherman gives you a perspective on what a 19-year-old felt in 1944 that no book can replicate. It’s cramped. It’s loud. It’s terrifying.
Some people use them for business. There are "tank driving experiences" in places like Texas and Minnesota where people pay hundreds of dollars just to crush a car. It’s a weirdly therapeutic way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Others just want to preserve a piece of engineering that changed the world.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Owner
If you are seriously considering the moment when we buy tank machinery, do not start with a Main Battle Tank. You will regret it. Start small.
- Join a Historical Vehicle Association: Groups like the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) are invaluable. They have the leads on who is selling what and which brokers are actually reliable.
- Check Your Zoning Laws: Before you wire $50k to Europe, make sure your local municipality allows for the storage of "heavy machinery" or "historical artifacts" on your property.
- Find a Mechanic First: Unless you are a master welder and diesel mechanic, you need someone who knows how to work on Continental or Perkins engines. These are not Toyotas.
- Factor in the "D-Mil" Costs: If importing, you must pay for the demilitarization process. This has to be done to specific government standards before the vehicle can even clear the port.
- Budget for a Trailer: Unless you plan on never moving it, you’ll need to hire a heavy-haulage company every time you want to show it off at an event. Expect to pay $5 to $10 per mile.
The reality of tank ownership is 90% maintenance and 10% driving. It’s a labor of love that involves a lot of rust under your fingernails and a very empty bank account. But when that engine finally roars to life and the ground starts to shake, most owners will tell you it’s worth every cent.