Main

September 10, 2008

sparky derby

bump

Dreya's Lebaron is going to the Demo-Derby!
date pending
--
edit
Oct. 24th
depending on if enough 6cyls show up to compete... or Vern may may have to try to run it in a 4cy class heat. He ran the Buick in an 8cy class heat w/ a V6, but it was a yacht. Sparky's just a bit smaller so it should do well in a 4cy class heat.
/edit/

Vern just sent me the email about its imminent destructive prowess.

FWD from Vern The Destructor -see marvel comics #

Now Quoting Vern:

Hi Fellas,

Please pass these pics along to the girl that used to own Sparky. I spent all weekend getting her ready for the demo derby and now, there's not much left to do but wire down the hood and trunk. And to think, I built this car in a total of 3 days!

AS RECEIVED:
http://www.axcessmypics.com/photos/photo03/e2/03/a8bce97c2375.jpg


START OF BUILD:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/vernonmcl/vernpics042.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/vernonmcl/vernpics043.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/vernonmcl/vernpics044.jpg



WORK IN PROGRESS:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/vernonmcl/Sparky/16_AUG_08005.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/vernonmcl/Sparky/16_AUG_08007.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/vernonmcl/Sparky/16_AUG_08008.jp
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/vernonmcl/Sparky/16_AUG_08009.jpg


AFTER:
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/vernonmcl/Sparky/16_AUG_08012.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/vernonmcl/Sparky/16_AUG_08013.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/vernonmcl/Sparky/16_AUG_08014.jpg
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee313/vernonmcl/Sparky/16_AUG_08015.jpg



THANKS!!!!

Vern McLendon

endQ and ThanQ- scott

Continue reading "sparky derby" »

October 22, 2007

sold

The GTX is gone.
Sean took her to "The GRM $2007 Challenge" in Florida and sold her after the race.

The New2U truck he used to carry her there is actually a 1990 C1500, not an '88 as i posted earlier.
He was using it to haul derby cars for the state fair this past weekend when the fuel pump gave out and took the relay with it... and yes, both pump and relay crapped out at pretty much the same time (weird). It gave us a moment of panic when the new pump ran for just a second and quit. It's all fixed now, and he and Vic just got back from an extensive ...test drive...

I'll have a pic of us replacing the fuel pump as soon as i can get it from Sean (added after jump). We had to lift the bed off the frame. He also has some nice pictures of the derby and Vern driving. Maybe he'll post those to his Flickr or elsewhere. This pic might be similar to the well known "Why Women Live Longer Than Men" photo. We tipped the bed up sideways and held it there with a stick ;)

I hear that Vern got a trophy. Too cool. I hope Sparky will help him win a trophy too, but i don't know when she'll run (Sparky is Dreya's old '90 Lebaron, marked for demolition).

Continue reading "sold" »

October 30, 2006

Demo Derby

Leadfoot mashed up her car a week ago. Watch here:

http://www.youtube.com/v/8e9V0hyLQeE"

July 29, 2006

tanked

I took the tank out of the buick today.

I smell like gasoline. Ick.

I hooked the plastic tank up for very temporary use, just to still be able to move the car around. There's still a lot of work to be done to get it ready for the heat.

July 23, 2006

sock stuffing

we did a bunch of stuff to the Buick today.
Vern got some acetylene torch work done too.

I found out that a derby car trick to raise the bumper height is to stuff the shock skirts with socks... so we're using socks to simulate amplitude. How cool is that?

The rear shocks on this car have a skirt over the shock piston which after stuffed full of socks raised the car at least an inch. Wow.
We might get a couple more in there after these get deflated. The goal of course is to get the shocks fully extended so the car is at full ride height... as allowable by derby rules.

Unfortunately the front shocks have no skirt, so no stuffing can be done. We like them just the same. I'm not sure why, but i know it's so. A way can be found nevertheless.

July 16, 2006

super wireless happy lucky fun time

not much but an engrish.com style title, courtesy of the awsome sean korb, aka spkorb.

I know you've all been anxiously awaiting weekend news.

Continue reading "super wireless happy lucky fun time" »

July 12, 2006

more derby car

i messed with the buick a little more today.
i welded on the doors a little to get the inner/outer panels together at the top.
i also messed with the ign. timing a little.
it seems to run a bit better and cooler, with no adverse symptoms so far.

i might screw with the broken motor mount tomorrow.

July 9, 2006

flat black

Vern did some more painting
View image
View image

Continue reading "flat black" »

July 8, 2006

we dont need no stinkin' wires

Man that buick had a lot of wire!
Luckily, it was built before the computer did much more than moniter the systems and adjust timing and mixture. We need neither for a Derby Car!

Continue reading "we dont need no stinkin' wires" »

July 4, 2006

Derby derby derby derby!

Vern and I went to Wendell to grab the Gooole (Pontiac 6000 LE) from the shop. It's all done, but it's taking up space, so we made off with it and put it in Vern's parent's yard. They're very understanding :) Photo essay after the jump.

Continue reading "Derby derby derby derby!" »

What's the diff?

Vern, Scott and I were working on the demo derby car over the weekend, and we got the windows out, the differential welded and the bumpers off.

Continue reading "What's the diff?" »

June 26, 2006

ghetto cruiser

here's 3 recent pics of this buick

front

rear

dash

read comment for more CRG links.

June 22, 2006

derbycar

I'll see if i can get my brother to accept a new catagory. I'm installing it. This post goes there, but it's up to him if his posts (past and future) go there too. I'm sure it'll be fine.

You'll find it under
DerbyCar !
/parent, guest cars

So if you've been following, you know. If not, tough.
Start reading for catchup.

anyway, not much here but links. one other pic.

Continue reading "derbycar" »

June 18, 2006

Crash test dummies

Vern and I are building a smash up derby car for the State Fair this year. We're also building one for the Carolina Rollergirls but they'll both be flying the team colors.

We brought home an '83 Buick Le Sabre with a big old V6 under the hood.

Eek!

Continue reading "Crash test dummies" »