Spend enough time on American highways and you’ll see some strange things rolling by, but a 23-foot banana cruising down the interstate still manages to stop traffic and, this time, a patrol car too.
- Montana Highway Patrol stopped the Big Banana Car along Interstate 90 near Billings.
- The driver was let go without a ticket after a partially blocked license plate caught an officer’s eye.
- The bright yellow ride started life as a 1993 Ford F-150 pickup.
One Very Yellow Traffic Stop
Montana Highway Patrol has seen its share of speeders and distracted drivers. A giant piece of fruit, though, is something new. Troopers recently shared a photo of a banana-shaped car sitting on the shoulder of I-90 near Billings, and the caption had some fun with it. While the vehicle might be appealing, they noted, traffic laws still apply to fruit. Hard to argue with that.
The reason for the stop wasn’t the wild design or even the speed. Steve Braithwaite, the man behind the wheel, had stacked some boxes on his cargo rack, and they were partially covering his license plate. That plate, fittingly, reads “SPLIT.” An officer pointed out the problem, the two had a friendly chat, and Braithwaite rolled away without a citation. He called it a fair complaint and a good conversation, which is a pretty relaxed take on getting flagged down by the law.
The Man Who Built a Banana
Braithwaite is no rookie when it comes to roadside conversations. He estimates that during the first eight or nine years of driving the banana, he was probably the most pulled-over man in America. Over 15 years and more than 250,000 miles, the routine became familiar. He’d spot a police car heading the other way, get his documents ready, and wait for the inevitable U-turn. Most of those stops weren’t about violations at all. Officers just wanted a closer look.
The car itself has an interesting origin. It began as a 1993 Ford F-150 pickup truck, and Braithwaite finished turning it into a banana back in 2011. The England native, who has lived in Michigan for about 40 years, first used the vehicle as a promotional tool for his advertising business. A rolling banana tends to get people’s attention, which makes it a clever billboard.
Life as a Full-Time Banana Nomad
These days the banana isn’t a side project anymore. Braithwaite said he packed up about a week before the Montana stop, sold most of what he owned, put the rest in storage, and hit the road for good. He’s now a full-time banana car nomad, driving the fruit wherever the highway takes him. There’s something charming about a guy deciding the open road and a giant banana are all he really needs.
Odd vehicles like this one have a way of turning ordinary errands into memorable moments. People pull out their phones, kids press their faces to car windows, and even seasoned troopers crack a smile. A car shaped like produce reminds everyone that driving doesn’t always have to be serious business.
Strange Rides Show Up Everywhere
You don’t need to be in Montana to spot something unusual on the road. Custom cars, art vehicles, and one-of-a-kind builds pop up in towns big and small. Drivers around Beavercreek, Ohio know the feeling of glancing over at a stoplight and doing a double take at a ride that looks nothing like the sedans and SUVs around it. Whether it’s a converted hot rod, a wrapped promotional car, or some homemade creation, oddball vehicles have a knack for brightening an otherwise plain commute.
They also come with practical reminders. A flashy or unusual build draws extra eyes, including the official kind. Anything that blocks a plate, a light, or a window can invite a friendly wave to the shoulder. Braithwaite’s story shows that a clean record and a good attitude go a long way when an officer comes knocking.
Why the Banana Keeps Rolling
The Big Banana Car works because it’s pure fun with no agenda. It makes people laugh, sparks conversations, and gives troopers a story to share online. Braithwaite seems to enjoy every mile, treating each traffic stop as a chance to meet someone new rather than a hassle. As long as that plate stays visible, the banana should keep cruising the country for years to come. The world could use a little more whimsy, and a yellow car the size of a small bus delivers plenty of it.