1999 - The Herkimer Battle Jitney (Mystery Men)

 

The Herkimer Battle Jitney is a fictional armored vehicle featured in the 1999 superhero comedy film Mystery Men, starring Ben Stiller, William H. Macy, and Hank Azaria. While only appearing briefly, it has become a cult favorite thanks to its distinctive look and over-the-top design.

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What Is the Herkimer Battle Jitney?

In the Film:

• The Herkimer Battle Jitney is introduced as the "most powerful non-lethal combat vehicle ever made" and is used by the ragtag superhero team, the Mystery Men, in their final assault on the villain Casanova Frankenstein’s mansion.

• It’s driven by The Shoveler (Macy) and acts as the team's tactical transport and battering ram.

• It features bulletproof armor, grappling hooks, magnet launchers, radar dishes, and flamethrowers, among other ridiculous (and rarely used) features.

• Its exaggerated description and deliberately absurd appearance are played for laughs, fitting the film’s satirical tone.

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Real-World Vehicle:

• Base Vehicle: The Herkimer Battle Jitney was built on a 1960s-era International Harvester C-Series Loadstar or similar military flatbed or fire engine chassis.

• Modifications:

  • Custom armor plating and faux weaponry

  • Oversized front bumper with hydraulics for ramming

  • Dome-like rotating turrets and side exhaust stacks

  • Paint job in flat olive green with industrial accents

• The entire design was meant to evoke a retro-futuristic military prototype, with a slightly steampunk feel.

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Fun Facts:

• The name “Herkimer Battle Jitney” is a joke itself — combining the serious-sounding "Battle" with "Jitney," a term for a cheap or shared bus.

• Despite its grand intro, the vehicle mostly just drives through a wall and parks, though it looks ready to invade a small country.

• It's become a fan favorite among lovers of obscure pop culture vehicles — often referenced in fan art, forums, and custom toy builds.

Cultural Status:

• The Herkimer Battle Jitney is a cult classic prop — funny, unnecessarily armored, and symbolic of how Mystery Men parodies traditional superhero tropes.
  

Where is it now?
After filming it went to a junkyard in California, it passed through a couple of owners who added and removed parts from the vehicle, as of 2024 it is undergoing full restoration