Generosity x2 with Larkin Motors Foundation Project Build UTV

Words: Billy Bartels

Photos: Provided by Dirt Exhibition

Do you love military-themed customs and turbocharged RZRs? If so, you’ve gotta see Dirt Exhibition’s latest build! Starting with a 2021 Polaris RZR Pro XP, it’s got all the goodies; including an MT Audio System, Evolution Powersports performance upgrades and looks like a tiny M1 Abrams tank thanks to a wrap by Just Your Way. If you like it, you can buy a raffle ticket or ten to benefit Larkin Motors Foundation’s effort to keep disabled veterans rolling down the road in reliable and stylish transportation. 

YouTubers Dirt Exhibition (DirtX) made a name for themselves in 2021 when they bought a teen’s basket case project RZR, set up a GoFundMe, finished it, and gave it back as a gift. Connor’s dad had bought the machine for the two of them to work on together, but after his dad passed away in an accident, young Connor had to sell the project for parts. DirtX partners Rich(ard Leon) and Brendan Walsh found Connor’s listing for the RZR while bargain hunting on Facebook Marketplace. Upon hearing the story, Rich and Brendan were inspired to restore it, and make it a machine to be proud of. Needless to say, the RZR dubbed Project 144 was extremely well received by Connor, and DirtX’s loyal viewers.

With a mission of promoting motorsports in New England, Dirt Exhibition thought “maybe we do it all again?” They quickly roped in their neighbors Larkin Motors for technical expertise and approached the Larkin Motors Foundation with a fundraiser idea. Team Larkin was mulling the offer when the DirtX guys showed them the machine they’d already purchased to do the build with. Larkin couldn’t really say “no” at that point.

Unlike with Project 144, this new build wasn’t from the frame-up. Starting with a fairly fresh Polaris RZR Pro XP, the goal was to trick it out with motor work, upgraded function, and styling. To change up the profile from your average RZR, an ABF Fabrications cage and SDR doors were installed. While the turbocharged Pro XP is nothing to sneeze at, an Evolution Powersports Power Package was also added to give it more snort and a sweet exhaust note. 

Speaking of sound, MTX Audio provided a Thunder 5 Audio system to crank tunes on the trail. The final piece to tie up the build is a wrap by Just Your Way matching Larkin’s signature Cobra GT500, both wicked rides resemble sleek tanks in desert beige. 

Once done with the build, the RZR went on tour all summer. It spent the time on display in select dealers, hanging out at car shows with the Larkin boys, and providing massive thrill rides at the New England Rally Experience. Three gracious donors ponied up $1000 for the Larkin Foundation and got to go on a day-long trail ride in a caravan of high-performance UTVs. The full-service experience included: dinner, lodging, getting to ride shotgun in a trio of machines, and getting pulled over for speeding by a local sheriff. That last part was an unplanned surprise, but exciting still. 

Generosity x2 2021 Polaris RZR Pro XP Build

About the Larkin Motors Foundation

The Larkin Motors Foundation started with a simple premise – to help struggling veterans in Massachusetts keep their cars running safe and reliably. The stress of unreliable transportation is often enough to ruin a family. While there are a lot of charitable foundations out there, not many focus on automotive help. Larkin uses the skills they have to donate to help in the best way they are able, and create some excitement around charitable giving as well. They have consistently helped veterans in need with the vehicle repairs, maintenance and have sometimes even provided new vehicles. With the help of these raffles and community donations, their goal is to expand nationally and help veterans from coast to coast stay on the road. The public are invited to nominate worthy vets who may need help through the foundation’s website. Larkin prides themselves on going above and beyond; once in the shop the vehicles are evaluated for overall safety and sometimes given a little extra to keep them on the road for a long time. 

Check out their video of the build…