Autoblog

SEMA 2009: Bigfoot still a crowd favorite, 35 years later

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Classics, Truck, Ford, Off-Road

Bigfoot #1 - Click above for high-res image gallery

We distinctly remember 3rd grade. Specifically, sitting in the library once a month during recess. Why would we give up dodgeball and four-square to sit inside and read? Because the new issues of Off Road and 4Wheeler had just dropped and they had stories about Bigfoot! Bearfoot too, and Carzilla - but mostly Bigfoot! Happy days, happy days. And here at this year's SEMA Show, both the original 1975 Bigfoot #1 (the world's first monster truck) and the new-for-2009 Bigfoot (#12 of fifteen Bigfoots) showed up to terrorize the Las Vegas Convention Center's parking lot.

Well, not terrorize - because people love the Bigfoots (Bigfeets?) so very much. But lordy, are these some hella intimidating trucks, even all these years later. Perhaps most notable is that the new Bigfoot is actually a 2008 Ford F-250 body cut to look like a 1979 F-250. Also cool is the 35-year gulf in technology between the two beasts. We could have spent a couple hours standing underneath (no, really!) Bigfoot #12 just admiring the headers. And the gas bypass shocks. And the supercharger, etc. Sadly, the duo of Bigfoots won't be crushing any cars this week. Let's make that double sadly, as this year's SEMA show features many deserving candidates. For more (and better) details, check out pickuptrucks.com's Bigfoot post.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Bigfoot

SEMA 2009: Bigfoot still a crowd favorite, 35 years later originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Announcer killed at Wisconsin monster truck show

Chris Paukert — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Safety

It has been less than ten days since a tragic accident at a Tacoma, Washingon monster truck show killed a six-year old spectator. Now comes word that a promoter/announcer at a Madison, Wisconsin Monster Nationals event has been killed at a similar event run by a different promoter.

According to reports, George Eisenhart Jr., 41, was hit by a monster truck called Samson during competition. Evidently, Eisenhart was standing in a well that feeds out onto the Alliant Energy Center's floor when he was struck. He was subsequently taken to the University of Wisconsin Hospital, but did not survive.

Unlike last weekend's event, the show in Wisconsin was immediately halted and the subsequent Saturday afternoon show was canceled as well.

Early investigation shows that applicable safety regulations were adhered to during the event, and that neither Eisenhart nor Samson's driver, Daniel Patrick, saw each other in the moments leading up to the accident. County investigators and Madison's Occupational Health and Safety officials are looking in to the matter, but early reports suggest that they have yet to find "any obvious safety issues." Associated Press video coverage available after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Jim.

[Source: Channel3000; Associated Press]

Continue reading Announcer killed at Wisconsin monster truck show

Announcer killed at Wisconsin monster truck show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monster truck debris kills 6-year old boy at Tacoma Dome

Chris Paukert — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Safety

Debris from a Friday night Tacoma, Washington monster truck show flew into the crowd, killing a six-year old boy. The tragic accident happened during the Monster Jam at the Tacoma Dome while trucks were competing in the event's freestyle competition.

Evidently, something on the monster truck Natural High (seen above) broke and became airborn while the truck was doing donuts, and the debris flew over a safety barrier and into the crowd of 10,000. The debris, described as a "metal ring weighing 7 to 12 pounds," hit Sebastian Hizey (above, left) in the head while he was watching the show with his family. Hizey died early Saturday morning from the injury. At least one other spectator was injured, but their condition and identity has not yet been released.

Despite cries from the audience to stop the show, the show continued while medical attention was administered to the boy and the other injured party. An investigation into the accident is underway.

[Sources: Associated Press (via Yahoo); News Tribune; Newsday]

Monster truck debris kills 6-year old boy at Tacoma Dome originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hard times means some Icelanders can't keep on truckin'

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 04 May 2008 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Toys/Games, Lifestyle

In Iceland, the leviathan you see in the picture above is called a "jeep." Here in the U.S., it would be called a massively tricked out F-350 Super Duty, or probably just "monster truck." The 6,000 members of Iceland's 4x4 club use them to explore the barely reachable sections of the island nation, trusting 4-foot-high studded tires and a bevy of custom modifications to get them back to civilization.

The problem is that Icelanders are having their own currency issues, with a free-fall even worse than the dollar's being just the start. When gas is almost $8 per gallon, that puts a fill-up somewhere around the $500 mark. And that puts a hurting on everything -- especially when you have to spend even more money getting your truck hauled out of the ice it just fell through. Not that any of this really stops them, because, well, there isn't much else to do in Iceland. So follow the link and check out the trucks in the slideshow. It's big-wheel badness.

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

Hard times means some Icelanders can't keep on truckin' originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 May 2008 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ah, steering's overrated anyway...

Alex Nunez — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:33:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Etc., Dodge

If we had this puppy, we'd make a CD that was an endless loop of monster truck rally radio commercials. What better soundtrack to blare out the window of this bitchin', rust-enhanced Dodge Ramcharger sporting 52" tires. Billed as an "attention getter" that "steers for the most part," this machine of undoubtedly confidence-inspiring handling can be yours for just $3,000. You know you want it.

"SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!..."

Thanks for the tip, Jake!

[Source: Craigslist]

Ah, steering's overrated anyway... originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Deer Camp Truck: Sightseeing in style

John Neff — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:05:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

click above image for more pics of the Deer Camp Truck and its amenities

We don't know much about the monster truck you see above, like who owns it, what it's actually used for, etc., but the pictures in the gallery below tell us all we need to know. Named the Deer Camp Truck, it appears to be a vehicle used for sightseeing, and judging by the its sheer size, we can only assume it comes from Texas.

If you're traveling in (on?) the Deer Camp Truck, your trip begins by ascending a ladder to reach the vehicle's shaded main deck. Once aboard, you and your dozen or so friends take a seat on the wraparound bench and pull up to the poker table for some Texas Hold 'Em. Never mind the beautiful scenery that's being passed on your right. The onboard wet bar and refrigerator, meanwhile, will supply the libations you consume while taking in the wild country from the safe confines of this monster truck with a view.

While we don't know what powers the Deer Camp Truck, an independent suspension is visible that could articulate itself over a decent sized pebble or two. The front end is also tipped with a brush guard that's likely designed to knock over old and stubborn deciduous trees in your path.

On a serious note, if you can tell us any more info about the Deer Camp Truck, enlighten us in the comments.

Thanks for the tip, Celly!

[Source: Maggie's Farm]

Gallery: The Deer Camp Truck

The Deer Camp Truck: Sightseeing in style originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ridiculous ride height on a Ford Galaxie 500

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Trends, Etc., Ford

Some will certainly look at this lifted Galaxie 500 and ask, "Why?" But to the people who build such things, the better question is always, "Why not?" Featured in the gallery at King of the Street, this massively raised Galaxie 500 is one of the most extreme examples of a growing trend in the aftermarket world, big rides. And that's what King of the Street is all about. Self-described as "The first and only publication catering to this fast growing Lifestyle: "RYDING BIG".

When 20s, 22s and 24s get to be too mundane, upsize the ryde instead. Starting out with a boat of a car like the Galaxie makes some sense, though. Offering what appears to be two feet of ground clearance, driving this bad boy through flooded streets will be a piece of cake, and the body will look just perfect atop the waves lapping at its fenders. Far be it from us to cast judgment on these enterprising young artists, but the monster truck look for the street really doesn't grab us. Check out King of the Street for even more ride height wackiness and click here for the full gallery.

Thanks for the tip, Rob!

[Source: King of the Street]

Ridiculous ride height on a Ford Galaxie 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Oct 2006 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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smart forfun2 a monster good time

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:49:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Truck, Etc., Europe, Work, Crossover, Hatchback, Daimler

With the recent announcement that Roger Penske's UnitedAuto Group will be offering SMART FourTwos in the US in 2008, DaimlerChrysler has decided to have a little fun and show people what the SMART brand is all about. To that end they have married a SMART car to a Unimog chassis developed by Greek rally racer Stefan Attart. Although similar to a vehicle created in 2005, known as the forfun, the forfun2 has a much higher stance and manages to be cute and imposing at the same time.

OK, so it's no Smartuki, but it's still wacky enough to be entertaining. While the Smartuki replaced the SMART 3-cylinder with a Suzuki GSXR1000 mill that had been massaged to 180 hp, this beast is Unimog powered. Although only capable of 84 hp, the torque is impressive at 191 ft-lbs. The quarter-mile might be a challenge, but rocks, sand and MINIs should be no problem: full press release and additional photos after the jump.

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]

Continue reading smart forfun2 a monster good time

smart forfun2 a monster good time originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Sep 2006 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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