What was the name of that ex RAAF curl-a-mo pilot who had a Mustang and was preparing it for a record flight across the Tasman from Oz to NZ. He had a couple of small jet engines which he was going to fit to the bomb racks.
Trouble was he tried a bench run with one of the engines secure in a vice. The engine took off with the vice and a large piece of the bench into his neighbours.
Then there were another group of enthusiasts who managed to get a Rolls Royce Avon going on the back of a truck. Engine had no auxiliary gearbox and no igniters. Used a truck starter motor to get it turning and a welding torch burning into one of the combustion cans.
Incredibly it fired up and ran for a short period. No - the truck did not get off the ground but I can imagine a wonderful 'home video' !