PNW-Race Research Archives

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Race Jeep Ollala, Wa $6500

• CATEGORIES: Racing • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Looks fun!

“Race jeep, 4.3 chevy,14:1 compression,solid cam,ported heads(vortec),demon carb,automatic,Dana 300,champion bead locks with pro comp mts(all new), one piece fiberglass body, lots of parts and extra sets of wheels and tires”

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/4017746512.html

race-jeep-ollala-wa1 race-jeep-ollala-wa2

 
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Racing at the 2012 PNW4WDA Summer Convention in Oregon

• CATEGORIES: Event, Features, Racing, videos • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here’s a great video of a run at the 2012 Summer Convention held this year in Camas Valley, Oregon.  There are a few more videos posted as well.

 
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Vintage Drag Race Photo

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images, Racing • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

When’s the last time you saw a drag race between a truck and a wagon?  Ron Day forwarded this unique drag race photo from the early 1980s in Tampico, Washington.  You may remember the Yakima Jeep Jockey photos he posted on his website.  Reader responses were so positive to these, that Ron has begun to spend some time looking through his negatives to see what else he has.

 

 
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1950 PNW Racer Woodinville, WA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Racing • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE:  Was listed at $1500. This is Steve Carters’ rig.  It does include a short block, but no heads.  This was Gary Rich’s El Coyote, which some older PNW Jeepers might remember.

The springs have been out boarded in the back.

“1950 willys race jeep currently setup for v6 but scatter shield has been drilled for v8, comes with 350 short block, t-10 four speed w/ advance early adapter to dana 18 offset transfer case. 44 tapered offset rear. dana 44 front with 30 ends, two desert dogs on super offset wheels, buckshots in the front. does not come with a body.”

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/3158439915.html

 
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Classic Jeep Racing Photos from Yakima, Washington

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images, Racing • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

These photographs were taken by Ron Day, who wrote articles about the races and has hundreds of additional photos.  I’ve contacted him, thanked him for publishing the photos, and asked if he had any additional information he could share.  Ron now lives in Alaska and continues to photograph.  You can see his website here:  http://rondayvous.com/

This is a link to his jeep photos: http://rondayvous.com/YakimaJeeps.html

Racer driving modified racing willys jeep through the mud in Yakima

Not all the vehicles were modified.  Many 1970s racers were trail jeeps with winches and tow bars still attached, such as this drag racer.

Tags: Yakima Ridge Runners : Jeep Jockeys

 
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Fiberglass Racing Body Wilson, WI **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Body Parts, Racing • TAGS: , , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $175.

The price is right.  I don’t know who made these or whether new ones are still available.

“I have an all fiberglass Jeep racing body up for sale. Super light fiberglass with wooden braces molded in. measures 56 1/2″ wide, 133″ long, 25 tall. the engine bay/hood is 44″ long. the hood scoop is not factory and needs patchwork done around the edge of it. other than that it isnt cracked or anything anythere that i can see. would like it to be picked up but i am wiling to deliver from baldwin, Wi area to Maplewood, MN any weekday”

 
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Barrel Racing this Weekend (May 5th) in Longview, Wa

• CATEGORIES: Event, FC150-FC170-M677, Racing • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Marty asked me to post this flyer.

 
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Flatfender Race Jeep Renton, WA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Racing • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $8000.

(04/17/2012) “i have a fiberglass willys race jeep it is on a wagoneer frame with blazer front and rear ends 12 bolt rear and 44 front 4:10 gears welded rear power lock in the front the front end has chromoly axles and u joints it has wagoneer rear springs in the rear and 1/2 ton chevy rear springs in the front the springs in the front are also 2 inch lift springs it has a chevy 350 motor with roller rockers aluminum intake valve covers cross over tubes aluminum radiator holley 750 carb toyota land cruiser conversion headers the transmission is a turbo 350 with a shift kit and an ultra bell with a 3500 stall converter the transfer case is a 205 it has beard seats with five point harnesses the tires are 31×10.5 good year wranglers on the rear and co-op on the front it also comes with two spare rebuildable turbo 350s a bunch spare 12 bolt and 44 axles spare drive lines spare tires including 2 brand new never been mounted co-ops this jeep has never been rolled over or wrecked and is a proven winner it has even been raced in the tacoma dome for more information or any questions shoot me an email”

 
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Race Jeep, St. Helens, Or **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Racing • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** was listed at $3800

(02/15/2011) Looks Fun!

“Flatty body on a boxed cj-5 frame. Dana 44s front &rear, 4.27 gears, dodge 360, dodge top loader 4spd, twin stick jeep 20 t-case, race buckets & harnesses, full roll cage down to the frame, aluminum radiator, msd ignition 6AL box and distributor. More!! Good running, reliable, and very easy on parts. This is a Pnw4wda short 8 class jeep. Turn key race or sand ready!! Not street legal!”

 
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1952 Redmond, OR **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-3A, Racing • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Update:  **SOLD** Was $1000

Based on the number on the passenger side, I believe this was raced at one time.  It would have been an Eastern Washington jeep (Region 4).  The top appears in reasonable condition.  It either has a DJ or a CJ-3B windshield.

“1952 Jeep Willys Project….Engine is in the back seat……Donated to us just as you see it…… Call or come see it.”

 
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Old Flattie Racer Othello, Wa **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, Racing • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $800.

This has some solid lettering Dogs.  It sure looks like a racer from the 80s maybe.

“This is a project rig. It does not run. I don’t know what kind of shape the drive train is in. I found it in a field. I was told it used to be raced and the axles are welded up. I due have a title for it. I can’t remember the year at the moment but 46′ sticks in my head. I was going to build a wheeler out of it but I have no time or money. I’d like to see $800 but feel free to make an offer. I can send more pics. It’s currently in storage in Othello but I live in tri-cities.”

 
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Race Jeep Chassis (FC-150) Randle, Wa $500

• CATEGORIES: Racing • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE:  Still Available

(03/08/2011) Here’s an unusual racer that utilized a FC frame.

“Willys Jeep tub and frame.  FC150 frame, custom tub (6″ wider than standard), 2″ roll cage, has leaf springs, steering column, fuel cell, and bucket seats. Mark (360) 497-7504”

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/2486173097.html

 
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Chris enters his first PNW Race

• CATEGORIES: Features, Racing • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Now, you probably think I run eWillys because of all the money, fame, babes and glory I receive.  Not true!  Instead, it is a story like this one that makes the work worthwhile.  Nearly two years ago I started swapping emails with 15 year old Chris Ruhnau.  He had a mostly stock 1947 CJ-2A and was having problems with some wiring issues.  We worked through those issues, brake issues, battery issues,  and even a girl issue.  Last summer he spotted a CJ-2A just down the road from him, with a full cage and more for only $1000. He couldn’t resist, so at age 16, he was the proud owner of two jeeps.  Clearly, he suffered from a case of Willys Sickness.

Over the past winter he spent time working on his jeep and going to high school.  This summer, he got everything finished and found his way to his very first PNW event.   As you will read, he had a great time.  Nice work on the jeep Chris and keep on racing!

Dave!!! You’ll never believe this! I raced my jeep today! The PNW4WDA put on a race in Ethel, Wa.  I raced twice in the obstacle course! It was so much fun. I’ve never had so much fun! In both races I got the same time… 1.61. It was really hard though because it was really soupy. I only had 2 problems, my fan wire shorted out and then my battery died, but those are minor and i still had tons of fun. everyone was coming up to me when I was sitting in line and asking about the jeep and saying it was nice. I felt pretty good about that. A guy i know that races said that he’s going to let me take my jeep to his shop and we’re going to fix my steering and he’s going to give me some brand new rancho shocks so that my fenders and battery box wont rub on the tire so much. The guy that used to be the leader of PNW4WDA asked for my email, too, to let me know when the events schedule so I can race a lot this summer!

 
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1948 CJ-2A Astoria, Or $3000

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, Racing • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

1948_cj2a_astoriaUPDATE: Still Available

(10/26/09) There has been a few mods on this jeep.

“48 cj-2a 302 ford c-4 tranny dana 18 tran-case full width dana 44 front full width 9″ rear sprung over suspension. one peice front hood fenders and grill. tub is just a shell with all alluminum floors. 8 point cage to the frame and the motor has a half cage around it. This is the do-all jeep, goes good in the sand good in the mud and good on the trails. Needs to be teailered, not street legal and I do have the title. $3000.00 OBO may consider a trade”

http://portland.craigslist.org/nco/cto/1733351006.html

 
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PNW4WDA Playday and Races in 70s

• CATEGORIES: Features, Racing, Women & Jeeps • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This is a post I have wanted to publish for a while and finally got to drafting it last night. I have a lot of good memories of Playdays.  One of my most powerful memories was a trip to Pendleton, Oregon, for Summer Convention 1975 (I think that was the year).  It was located in the middle of a clearing in a forest: no buildings, just dirt, grass and trees.  I was 10 and pal’d around with Tim and Steve Carter for most of the weekend. We were kids in a candy store, wandering around and through the various camp ‘cities’, made up of campers and tents and people and jeeps, meeting other kids and having a blast. There were an endless stream of club names and club stickers (on the side of the jeeps) that I’d never seen before.   It truly was a different world …

Most of the images below came from the WWJC Scrapbook I borrowed a couple weeks ago.  Because the book was too big to fit on my parent’s scanner, I had to snap photos of them, which explains some of the low quality.

It’s fair to call this a sampling of events, as I hardly went to all playdays.  Feel free to comment on any I’m forgetting and I’ll add them to the post.

We’ll start out with this article in a newspaper about Jeep Racing from the mid 70s. I have to say I was a little surprised at the ‘retarded’ comment, which just highlights how fast language can change.

Jeep Stuffing: For the first event, let’s highlight this this oddball contest.  Here’s Al “Ham” Hamilton in his old jeep Gypsy B.  He and his Wife Barb were founders and deeply involved in the WWJC and the PNW4WA for many years.  The remainder of the people piled on to this jeep appear to be WWJC members as well.

I couldn’t say how this was judged, but it reminds me of the Yipao events in Columbia where they stuff CJ-3Bs with just about everything.

Barrels: Here’s Al again.  This is a classic event that still endures.  Inspired by the barrel racing event you’d find at horse races,  barrels were positioned in a triangle.  The racer starts at a gate, circles around each as fast as they can, then heads back to the gate.

The Gypsy B was Ham’s road/race/trail jeep.  As you can see, Ham didn’t even bother to take off the winch. He even scored some trophies in his jeep (well, at least one big trophy according to the scrapbook).

Potato Stab: In the Potato Stab, a racer races around a track and stops at each box of potatoes to allow the passenger to stab a potato, put it in a sack, and race onward.  The fastest time won.  There were variations of this event. One variation involved popping balloons instead of picking up potatoes.

Balloon Throws: This was just for fun.  Two jeeps would pass each other and water balloons were thrown.  I *think* this picture was taken at the Beverly Sand Dunes in Washington (near Vantage).  In the CJ-5 is my mother driving and my sister riding shotgun, probably in the late 70s.  This is Dad’s post rollover Jeep, note the cage has 4 loops with two in the middle.  It’s the kind of cage you install in your jeep after you’ve rolled down a hill 5 times.

Balance Beam: The balance beam is pretty self explanatory.  Again, this is my mom and sister (which is kind of weird, because I do not remember my sister or mother ever doing any of this). The object was to balance as quickly as you could.  This had to be around 1973 — in other words, this is the pre-rollover jeep.  I’m not sure why the side of the body on this jeep is so beaten up.  I’ll have to ask Dad if he remembers why that is, though I suspect he might say something like “cuz your mom drove it” 🙂

Balloon Pop: In this event, a child drives a course and stops at a special spot.  Once stopped, the child jumps out, runs to the balloon, pops it, runs back to the jeep, and completes the course.  This jeep appears to sport a Bobcat fiberglass body, though it appears to be just a body shell.

Banana Course (no image): In the banana course, a driver drives the course with a passenger.  At a particular spot, the driver stops and the passenger hops out and runs through a little obstacle, consumes a part of a banana, hops back in the jeep and then the driver finishes the course.  There were probably variations of this as well.

Tire Pit: I suspect this is a precursor to the mud bog, but I couldn’t say.  I don’t remember ever seeing this event in person.  I suspect the object is to get out of the pit the fastest?

Obstacle Course: Still included in racing today, this course is a tight course, usually muddy, that racers try to get through as fast as possible. Below is an image of me after an obstacle course at the ORV Park Near Olympia during the 1985 Summer Convention.

Team Relay: This has been and continues to be a traditional end of the playday/summer convention race. It involves four teams of four jeeps and four drivers on one course. The object is to get all four drivers around the course one time. Each team is assigned a colored flag to make it easy to identify the teams while they are racing. The top two teams to finish a round advance to the next round. The team that wins the final round wins a trophy.

When I last raced, this event would take the entire day. There were many, many teams and people. It’s a fun event to participate in and watch.

The first time I ever ran this event (March 1985 on a cold weekend north of Everett), I broke the front driveline in my jeep in the first round, I broke the front driveline in Tim Carter’s race jeep Priority (version 1) in the second round, and I thought I had broke the front driveline of Jim Carter’s jeep Otis in the 3rd round (we lost, so we didn’t advance after that — and I was relieved!), but fortunately I didn’t break it. I have never broken a driveline since. Weird ….

Other events not shown:

Water Course: The object is to get around the course the quickest without spilling water held in a cup by a passenger.  It’s a slow, but comical race.  A derivation of this involves an egg; if I remember correctly, the passenger carries a spoon, on which they balance an egg through the course.  If the egg falls off, they have to stop and can’t start forward again until the egg is back on the spoon.

Tonka Course: Kids put strings on their Tonka vehicles and pull them as they run through a course.  There were other kid-specific courses that I don’t remember.

Backwards: The racer drives a course forward to a stopping point, then has to drive the course in reverse as fast as possible.

The Divorce Course: The driver is blindfolded.  The passenger must tell the driver how to drive the course.

Cross Country Course: This is still in racing today and is a faster, longer course designed for faster speeds.

Hill Climbs: Self Explanatory.  I haven’t seen one of these in a long time, but they got held occasionally.  A derivation, based on the newspaper article above, is the chain hill.  In this event, climbers put chains on their jeeps and try to climb hills.  However, these hill climbs do not compare to those crazy Finnish Hill Climbers.

Drags: Self Explanatory.

King and Queen: This race is still run today. I’m not exactly sure when this was first run. If I understand correctly, this is an elimination race where 2 racers compete against one another.  One racer starts on one half of the track and one on the other.  Each racer completes the entire track.  The first one to complete the race advances to the next round.   The man that wins the final round is King and the woman that wins her final round it Queen.

Sprints: You can still find this racing occasionally (Here are some pics from earlier this year).  This is head-to-head competition where a group of racers have to race a certain number of laps on a course.  I never saw this at a playday, but did watch the Yakima Mud Races with were sprints in mud.

Top Eliminator: Only the fastest winners in certain events (such as the fastest cumulative times in the obstacle, cross country and barrel races for example) race in this race.  There are no separate classes.  The winner is the top racer (male and female brackets) for the weekend.  The race track is usually a tighter version of a cross country course.

 
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Sand Racer … Vancouver, Wa Status Unknown

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, CJ-3A, MB • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE:  Status Unknown. Was listed at $1500

(07/05/09) “1942 Willys CJ2A on a CJ3A Frame Stretched 5” Mid door, 2 Wheel Drive, Dana 44 Posi with 5.88 Gear Ratio.  rolling chassy and body roll cage no engine or trans. ( 2 will drive sand racer). Need to sell.

 
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1953 CJ-3B Racer Colville, Wa $2500

• CATEGORIES: CJ-3B, Racing • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE:  Pics now provided.  Nice looking CJ-3B towing the racer.

“1953 willys cj-3b hi-hood race jeep, 44 front an rear axle, front disc brakes,cj5 frame, outboarded rear springs power steering sway bars fr n rear, rad n air cleaner in the rear,safety net for driver, shoulder harrnes, front springs reved. no moter or tran. 684-1094”

http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/1873410673.html

 
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PNW Race Jeep Selah, WA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Racing • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2000

The motor needs work, but the price still looks decent.

“1948 willy’s race jeep has a1966-77 bronco frame, motor, tranny, and running gear, 400hp 289-302, motor needs work, full cage, 5 point harness,tilt fiber glass hood and fenders, $2000 firm call (509)697-8209 ask for Tom or will trade for equal value quad. also has a12 gal fuel cell.”

1948_racejeep_selah

 
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PNW Race Jeep for Sale Graham, WA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Racing • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $15,000

Troy’s race jeep is for sale.  It’s a very nice,  fun looking rig.

“PNW RACE JEEP..SHORT COURSE OR SAND DRAGS..HAS ONE RACE ON REBUILT MOTOR, TRANNY AND TRANSFER CASE…355 SBC..TH350 WITH NEW 3500 STALL CONVERTER..DANA 20 TRANSFER CASE..JEEP J-10 44 FRONT END..SCOUT 44 REAR WITH LOCKER..427 GEARS..4 WHEEL DISK BRAKES .PURPLE CRANIUM DIFF COVERS …ART CARR SHIFTER…AUTO METER GAUGES..BEARD ULTRA SEATS WITH COVERS…$600 PERFORMENCE RADAITOR..MSD SOFT TOUCH REV LIMITER….BLACK FIBER GLASS BODY WITH CAMELEON GHOST FLAMES..FRONT AND REAR PADDLES AVAILABLE .I AM SURE I FORGOT SOMETHING..THIS JEEP IS VERY FAST AND A KICK TO DRIVE. ”

 

race_jeep_graham_twisted

 
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Drag Racing: Tyler runs the drag strip

• CATEGORIES: Features, Racing • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Troy forwarded me this great pic of his son Tyler dragging at the PNW Summer Convention.  Tyler is 18 now and Troy writes, “I HAVEN’T HAD TO RIDE WITH HIM AT THE RACES SINCE HE TURNED 16…. I MADE A BIG MISTAKE THIS YEAR AND RODE WITH HIM ON THE X-CROUNTRY…..THE KIDS GOT IT, BUT @#!%&##@ HE SCARES THE HELL OUT ME…LOL.”   You can see both the race jeep and troy’s other jeep here.  Looks fun!

troys_son_drag_racing

 
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Video: Yakima Ridge Runners 1950s Video Part 2

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos • TAGS: , , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This is the second of two videos made by Universal International News. Much of this footage seems very similar to the shots taken by Life Magazine of the Ridge Runners, when they did ran a story about the Jeep Club.

 
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2008 PNW4DA Racing

• CATEGORIES: Features, Racing, videos • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I was searching to see if anyone posted videos from the PNW4WDA 2009 Convention, but haven’t seen any yet.  I did find this nicely organized collection of racing images from 2008 that I hadn’t seen.  So, I thought I’d share them.  Note the audio has been disabled.  I have to wonder exactly how they track down audio like that given the millions of videos uploaded vs. the relatively low number of hits on this video.

 
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Wayback Machine: Old Jeeping Photos from late 70s

• CATEGORIES: Features, Racing • TAGS: , , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here’s some great old photographs from the 1970s.  They document some of the events attended by the Good Time Four Wheelers.  The image below was from the 3rd Annual Green River Valley Jeepers in 1976.  I attended one of their playdays in 1981 (I think).  It was located between Black Diamond and Enumclaw;  I wouldn’t be surprised if the area is full of homes now.

I’m suprised that as late as ’76 they weren’t requiring cages to race.  It wouldn’t be too long before they were required.  View all the pics (lots of desert dogs) at the pnw4wda forum.

oldracing_grvjc_1976

 
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Race Jeep Tenino, Wa $9,000

• CATEGORIES: Racing, Unique Jeeps • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Update: No Recent Update

I like the color mix as well as the overall construction.  Front shackles are reversed and it appears the rear springs are outboarded.

“Custom Race Jeep, narrow fiberglass body. Chevy 355 full roller motor, four speed top loader transmission, Dana 20 twin stick transfer case, custom Dana 44 front w/posi Dana 44 rear. Lots of horsepower. Ready to Race or take to the dunes. “

 
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1948 CJ-2A Temecula, OR **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, Racing • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

1948_cj2a_temeculaUPDATE: **SOLD** Was $6000

“350 Hipo small block with corvettte manifolds,Holley 600 cfm carb , electronic dist, 350 turbo hydro transmission with shift kit hurst comp shifter , Hooker super comp headers, Ford 9″ loncoln housing currie axles 457 gears disk breeks, all new paint , guages, interior carpet seat street legal runs FAST and turns Heads”