World's heaviest man Manuel Uribe gets a lift in custom van

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This was published 15 years ago

World's heaviest man Manuel Uribe gets a lift in custom van

The world's heaviest man still can't walk, but he will soon be able to roll.

Manuel Uribe is having a 1989 Chevrolet Astrovan outfitted to support his record-breaking weight, giving him mobility after more than six years of being confined to his bed.

Manuel Uribe checks some earrings on his wife Claudia Solis.

Manuel Uribe checks some earrings on his wife Claudia Solis.

Uribe earned the Guinness world record as the world's heaviest man in 2006, when he tipped the scales at 1,230 pounds (560kg).

He claims to have since shed more than 500 pounds (226kg) after making a public call for help.

Uribe, known as Meme to his friends, even has a name for his new ride.

"My friends call it the Meme-Mobile, just like the Batmobile," he said.

The minivan is being converted into an open-air, flatbed pickup of sorts.

Uribe said he would put a bed on the back of the van to drive around town, with his new wife at the wheel.

At home, he said he would have a remodelled garage with a forklift to help raise his regular bed up to the level of his car bed, allowing him to switch locations from time to time.

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Uribe said that, with the new car, he planned to start up an auto parts business.

And Uribe's wife, Claudia Solis, said the two were even thinking about making a trip to the beach in May.

Uribe married Solis in October, and the wedding was one of the few times he has left his home in recent years.

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