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Influencer Wins Armored Car at Auction, Goes Viral on Social Media and Draws Attention from the Army. Controversy, the Seizure, and Plans for Sale.
In recent days, an armored car acquired at an auction, driving through the streets of São Paulo, caught the attention of internet users and rapidly became one of the most discussed topics on social media.
The reason? Instead of transporting money or valuables, the vehicle served as a means of transportation for digital influencer Vinícius Carvalho, who often wins unusual vehicles at auctions.
The repercussion was so great that even the Army decided to comment on the case.
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Influencer Wins Armored Car for Less Than Brazil’s Cheapest Popular Car
Vinícius Carvalho, who has over 350 thousand followers on the profile “O Carro Chefe,” presents himself as a reference in the auction world.
He has already purchased several unusual vehicles, such as an ambulance, but this time the acquisition was even more surprising: an armored car, which he won for R$ 68,550.
For comparison, the Renault Kwid, considered the cheapest new car in Brazil currently, costs R$ 77,240, according to the official table.
In other words, Vinícius managed to get an armored vehicle for a lower price than a popular car.
After this purchase, he saw the perfect opportunity to create content and began posting videos driving the armored car in unusual situations.
One of the most viral videos shows a supposed attempt to register the armored car in a ride-sharing app, with the caption: “Uber Black is different.”
“This was just a joke. I took a screenshot of a normal ride request and edited the image to include the armored car.
I didn’t even try to register it in the app because I don’t think it would be possible,” explained Vinícius.
The posts have garnered over a million likes and five thousand comments, making the auction’s armored car one of the most talked-about subjects on social media in recent days.
Army Prohibits Use of Armored Car for Personal Purposes
With the repercussion of the case, the Brazilian Army clarified the legality of an individual using an armored car.
In a statement, the agency stated that only transportation companies can use this type of vehicle for private security.
Additionally, the Army emphasized that private security activities require authorization from the Federal Police and that only the Army Command can authorize the use of specialized armored vehicles.
Therefore, Vinícius cannot use the armored car for personal purposes.
Traffic legislation allows for the modification of some vehicles, such as trucks and minibuses, so they fit into the category of value transport.
However, the driver must have a specific license.
Since Vinícius’s armored car came from a Mercedes-Benz truck, he can only drive the vehicle if he has a category D driver’s license.
The National Traffic Department (Senatran) clarified that drivers of this type of vehicle do not need to take specialized courses, as the legislation does not require such training.
Police Stop Influencer and Seize Armored Car
It didn’t take long for the circulation of the armored car to attract the attention of the police.
Since Vinícius doesn’t have a license to drive heavy vehicles, the police approached him.
Driving without the correct driver’s license is a serious infringement, resulting in seven points on the license and a fine of R$ 586.94.
Additionally, the legislation stipulates that the auction vehicle must be held until a licensed driver takes over the driving.
Fortunately, Vinícius was with a friend who had the necessary license.
Even so, the police seized the armored car for another reason: the tires were bald, which constitutes a serious infraction.
“The tires were below the TWI [tread wear indicator], according to the officer. And they really were. I was going to change them later and ended up forgetting,” Vinícius admitted.
Influencer Plans to Sell the Vehicle for Millions
Despite the setback, Vinícius did not get discouraged and already has plans for the armored car.
Besides generating engagement for his social media, he sees the purchase as an investment.
“I work with this: I buy, fix, and resell. Since this purchase was very unusual, I decided to create more content, but I don’t get attached to the vehicles,” he stated.
He revealed that, although he paid R$ 68,550 at the auction, he needed to spend R$ 7,000 to fix problems with the engine.
Now, with the armored car in better condition, he intends to sell it for a price between R$ 160,000 and R$ 170,000, more than double the amount invested.
Vehicle Becomes an Internet Phenomenon and Could Yield High Profits for the Influencer
The case of Vinícius Carvalho shows how social media can turn an unexpected auction purchase into a viral phenomenon.
At the same time, the situation raises questions about the legality of using vehicles like this by individuals and the applicable traffic rules.
Whether as a marketing strategy or just as a joke, the purchase of the armored car generated entertainment, controversy, and, apparently, good profits for Vinícius.
Now, it remains to be seen who will be the next owner of this curious vehicle and if other similar stories will emerge on the streets and social media.
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