Page 12 - Issue 48

As a car show, it was hugely w, it was hugely
As a car sho
successful, drawing almost 1200 cars
successful, drawing almost 1200 cars
over three days. There were plenty
over three days. There were plenty
of rat rods, but there was a little
of rat rods, but there was a little
bit of everything there – kustoms,
bit of everything there – kustoms,
musclecars, survivors - enough
musclecars, survivors - enough
variety for any gearhead to get his or
variety for any gearhead to get his or
her automotive fi x.
her automotive fi x.
But everybody expects cars to be
But everybody expects cars to be
at a car show. What makes the Ruckus
at a car show. What makes the Ruckus
unique is the large variety of activities The truck is a ‘41 Ford 2-ton that had a
unique is the large variety of activities
10-foot bed. That huge bed would never do
available to both the show participants
available to both the show participants
and the viewing public. How about a
and the viewing public. How about a
for a rat rod so it was shortened considerably.
To get this massive truck down to hot rod
pinup contest? Yeah, we know other
pinup contest? Yeah, we know other
shows have those, too. But do they
shows have those, too. But do they oof fi ve inches.
size, they chopped the r
Four inches of rusty metal w
have them in conjunction with a greaser as removed from
have them in conjunction with a greaser
contest for the guys? This year, the
contest for the guys? This year, the
the bottom of the cab, and then then the
whole thing was channeled another
Ruckus had adult and junior divisions for
Ruckus had adult and junior divisions for
each. Since they had so many entries,
four inches to tuck in the frame.
each. Since they had so many entries,
they had to split both junior divisions into
they had to split both junior divisions into
Speaking of the frame, every bit of it was
built out of 1
teen divisions, as well. There was even a ⁄2” x 2” tubing. Up front is a
teen divisions, as well. There was even a
1
cantilevered suspension of Gary’s design that
family from West Virginia that entered
family from West Virginia that entered
three generations into the pinup contest
incorporates a custom-built pivot, allowing
three generations into the pinup contest
six to seven inches of suspension travel.
– mother, daughter, and granddaughter.
– mother, daughter, and granddaughter.
Were you feeling a little scruffy or
Coilovers and RideTech air shocks complete
Were you feeling a little scruffy or
the package. Things are more conventional
maybe not so pretty that weekend?
maybe not so pretty that weekend?
No worries, because there was an
No worries, because there was an
out back, with a ‘79 Monte Carlo rear axle
assortment of professionals there to
assortment of professionals there to
and stock control arms. Ride height is
give haircuts, shaves, and makeup to
give haircuts, shaves, and makeup to
controlled by an AccuAir system.
Power is provided by a bargain-priced
anybody who wanted them. What
anybody who wanted them. What
Chevy 350, augmented with a Thumper cam,
better way to get ready for the pinup/
better way to get ready for the pinup/
Edelbrock manifold, a free set of double-
greaser contests?
greaser contests?
hump heads and a Holley carb. Gary donated
As for entertainment, you had many
As for entertainment, you had many
the Turbo 350 trans. The rear end from the
choices. There were four bands playing
choices. There were four bands playing
music all weekend. If you knew how to
music all weekend. If you knew how to
Monte is loaded with 2.29 gears that let the
dance, great. If not – there were swing
dance, great. If not – there were swing
motor spin at a leisurely 1500 RPM at 70
dance lessons available for those not
dance lessons available for those not
MPH. This translates to about 20 MPG.
gifted with that ability. For those that
gifted with that ability. For those that
wanted something more exiting, The
wanted something more exiting, The
American Motordrome Company made
American Motordrome Company made
its fi rst appearance at the Ruckus.
its fi rst appearance at the Ruckus.
If you ever have the need to watch
If you ever have the need to watch
people ride vintage Harleys and Indians
people ride vintage Harleys and Indians
as well as go-karts around the inside
as well as go-karts around the inside
of what amounts to a huge wooden
of what amounts to a huge wooden
barrel, you gotta see this.
barrel, you gotta see this.
The fairgrounds are home to a large
The fairgrounds are home to a large
12 RAT ROD MAGAZINE ISSUE FORTY-EIGHT
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