Who says we’re still in a recession? Dozens of people bid tens of thousands of dollars on eBay for a motorized custom recliner seized by police in Proctor, Minnesota, after a DUI arrest last year. The chair fetched bids of nearly $45,000 only days after its creator and former owner, 62-year-old Dennis LeRoy Anderson, pled guilty to DUI.

Anderson reportedly tried to pop a wheelie with the chair while driving home from a local bar last year after drinking eight or nine beers. As a result of the failed maneuver, Anderson and his female passenger fell off the tricked-out recliner, which then careened into a parked car.

A breath-alcohol test showed Anderson’s blood-alcohol level to be 0.29%, more than three and a half times the legal limit. He was arrested for suspicion of DUI.

Last month, Anderson was sentenced to 180 days in jail and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine plus court fees after pleading guilty. The jail time was then stayed, providing for a two-year probationary period, but Anderson had to forfeit his prized, souped-up piece of furniture. At least he was free to watch the bids for his handiwork go up and up.

Like its creator, the chair is quite a piece of work. According to the City of Proctor’s listing on eBay Motors, it’s outfitted with a Briggs and Stratton engine and equipped with an electric starter. It has “front lights, rear tag light, radio, cup holder, rear roll bars and other custom options.”

A National Hot Rod Racing Association sticker adorns the headrest. After all, the chair can reportedly reach speeds between 15 and 20mph.

Anderson apparently built the chair with power steering, as well. The chair’s driver can control the non-street-legal vehicle with a small steering wheel (about a third the size of a golf cart’s) that comes straight up from the middle of the seat.

Proctor Police Chief Walter Wobig added that the chair also has a magazine holder, speakers, a mirror, and a nitrous oxide tank. Be on the lookout for a pimped-out recliner in the next season of Pinks: All Out.

As for Anderson, he’s understandably upset about having to forfeit his cherished chair-iot. However, he vowed there will be a motorized chair 2.0 by declaring, “I’m going to build a bigger and better one this time.”

Perhaps the next iteration will feature traction control, antilock brakes, and a GPS guidance system (to help him find his way around the living room). An airbag might come in handy, too, in case he has a head-on collision with the love seat.

Our top ten contestants were arrested and booked for suspicion of driving while intoxicated according to The Advocate reports from September 21 – October 25, 2009.

10. Carolyn Michelle G., 43, 1st-offense DWI, hit-and -run, and negligent vehicle injuring.
Carolyn Michelle is a huge mixed martial arts fan. In fact, just like Gina Carano, she likes to punish people. Of course, Gina’s trained in the art of Muay Thai, while Carolyn’s primary fighting style is Mai Tai.

9. Henry Alexis P., 26, 1st-offense DWI, reckless operation of a vehicle, resisting an officer, public intimidation, and operating a vehicle without a lawful presence in the United States.
We’re not sure how someone illegally in the country could intimidate a police officer. Maybe the Medellin Cartel has more pull in South Louisiana than we thought.

8. Loretta Lynn J., 45, 2nd-offense DWI, failure to signal/improper turn, driving left of center, and reckless operation of a vehicle.
She may have been named after a coal miner’s daughter, but this Loretta Lynn drinks like a moonshiner’s illegitimate child.

7. Gregory Peter Saw N., 18, 2nd-offense DWI, reckless operation of a vehicle, disobeying a red light, and improper lane usage.
It’s no wonder Gregory Peter Saw has two DWI charges at the age of 18. Who can blame him for regularly getting wasted? His middle name is a rudimentary penis remover.

6. William C., 24, DWI, simple criminal damage to property, resisting an officer, simple assault, aggravated criminal damage to property, theft of goods, and flight from an officer.
Say what you will about William, at least he’s thorough. He got both simple AND aggravated criminal damage to property charges. As for the theft of goods, he must have stolen his arresting officer’s pen. That would explain why we don’t know how many DWI offenses William had before this one.

5. James B., 78, 4th-offense DWI.
After being pulled over by Denham Springs Police for driving too slowly on Rushing Road, the 78-year-old James reportedly said Brett Favre inspired him to resume his BACS career. That would explain why he got a 4th-offense charge.

4. Varin Jacqueline H., 24, 3rd-offense DWI and speeding.
Varin allegedly gets a little frisky when she drinks. According to the frat boys in Tigerland, she’s collected more DNA than the state crime lab.

3. Edna D., 51, 4th-offense DWI, open container/public drinking, and failure to signal/improper turn signal.
Back in Edna’s hometown of Bogalusa, folks call her “Dame Edna.” It might be because she’s occasionally mistaken for a drag queen.

2. Angela B., 36, Thibodaux, 4th-offense DWI, improper lane usage, and possession of alcoholic beverages in a vehicle.
Of course Angela had alcoholic beverages in her car. That trip back to Thibodaux can make a woman thirsty.

1. Robert Percy N., 29, 5th-offense DWI.
This Thanksgiving, Robert Percy’s family will have at least one thing for which to be thankful: The Judge Don Johnson Trophy.