Rubbish!

I take pride in sorting out the truth contained in yet another e-mail/story making the rounds.* According to the text, a well-known origami wiz lives in a converted garbage truck, and according to the illustrations that truck is neat as a pin inside and out. Well, 1st I confirmed that there is an origami master by the name of Won Park (4th and 5th images, watch him folding here). Next, I ran the keywords by Snopes and learned that the truck pictured is not a conversion from waste management duties, but in fact a commercially-available vehicle called the Terracross made by UNICAT. The model pictured (1st, 2nd, and 3rd images) - the EX63-HD / MAN TGA 6x6 - boasts the following specs and the photos circulating are promotional shots (see more here):

• Extended cab with 2 seats + 2 jump seats
• Engine performance 480 hp
• 12-speed transmission
• All wheel drive
• 2 chamber fuel tanks, capacity 211 gallons
• Satellite navigation system (GPS)
• Back eye camera and searchlights
• Wall thickness 2.36" w/polyurethane foam insulation
• Double-sealed doors of fiberglass composite w/heavy-duty locks
• Double-insulated thermal windows + acrylic glass skylights
• Lifting roof with electric drive mechanism
• Roof rack and crane for loading spare wheel
• Hydraulic rack for 2 motorcycles
• Seating unit with drawers converts to additional double bed
• Office desk with chair
• Double bed in lifting roof area
• 2 big wardrobes
• Sanitary room w/shower, porcelain toilet, washstand, and wall cupboard
• Kitchen countertop w/integrated sink + pull-out cutting board
• Kitchen cabinet with locking drawers
• 3-flame stove with oven
• Espresso maker
• 2 fridges with freezer
• Large outside storage compartments w/lights
• Aluminum exterior storage boxes
• Music system + television w/DVD player
• Integrated low-voltage lights above table, kitchen, hallway, shower, storage area + lifting roof
• Reading lights in bed and seating area
• 190-gallon freeze-proof drinking water tanks
• 8.8-gallon hot water-heat exchanger
• 47-gallon freeze-proof waste water tank
• 58-gallon sewage holding tank
• Diesel/electric-powered central heating
• Radiators in living area and shower area
• Antifrost system
• Integrated air conditioner
• Central vacuum cleaner
• Overall dimensions: 28' 11"L x 8'1"W x 13' 1"H
• Inner dimensions: 20' 3"L x 7' 9"W x 6' 7"H
• 2-year warranty
• List price: $1,097,707

As to whether Mr. Park owns such a truck, I quote a comment claiming to be from the origamist himself:

Thu Dec 31, 2009, 1:15 PM Hello, Won Park here, There has been an email going around the internet and it says that I live in a Garbage Truck that has been converted in to an RV. I find it very funny because I live in Honolulu, Hawaii. I have a one bedroom Apt. I wish I could travel around in a RV and not pay rent. That would be fun. Won Park

I'm glad he has a sense of humor about it, since this piece of misinformation is unlikely ever to go away, and I am pleased to learn - if in fact it is true - that Won Park is a steampunk afficionado (6th image)!

*I received it from Chase back in September - with thanks!