This year there was another increase in the number of entrants. Not all of them made it to the start line of course but I believe the number of teams to start the day was sixty two. The variety and theming on display was amazing. I will try my best to cover them all.
Team: Club Foot
Vehicle: 1986 Chevrolet Blazer
The cut out for the under hood mounted grill is a nice touch. This one is a V6, 4×4 model in an aftermarket orange color.
Team: Wrench & Tartan
Car: 1984 Volvo 245 GL station wagon
Car: 1984 Volvo 245 GL station wagon
Volvo 240s are normally on the most reliable list but for a few years in the early 1980s they were equipped with a biodegradable wiring that causes lots of random electrical issues if the harness has not been replaced. I had a 244 sedan a few years ago that was on its original harness and got to experience the electrical oddities that come with it. I heard this one also did not have a harness update.
Team: Greasers
Vehicle: 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
Vehicle: 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
This Chevrolet was a rough field car that had been revived after a long period of dormancy.
Team: Team Plan B
Car: 1993 Mercury Topaz GL
Car: 1993 Mercury Topaz GL
This Mercury Topaz was one the featured cars this year (either version of a Ford Tempo/Mercury Topaz gained bonus points) but was this team’s second choice after their first choice, a 1960 Valiant, did not get roadworthy in time thus the team name “Team Plan B”. They were one of the returning and ran a Ford Escort last year.
Team Dollz with Ballz was next to the Topaz with their 1979 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. They ran a Triumph TR7 last year which experianced an engine failure so it was great to see them back.
Team: Thunder Cats
Car: 1984 Pontiac Firebird
Car: 1984 Pontiac Firebird
It appeared to have been white in some point but now wearing primer and aftermarket wheels.
Team: Poor Man’s Vett II
Car: 1986 Chevrolet Chevette Scooter
Car: 1986 Chevrolet Chevette Scooter
This team returned with their ‘vette from last year’s event. The mismatched rims are a nice touch.
Team: Redneck Love Story
Car: 1980 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Car: 1980 Oldsmobile Cutlass
With T-tops and another contender with mis-matched wheels.
Toyota 4Runner. I believe the team name is Porschota which must have been a last minute substitution as it happens for an event like this. The hood appeared to be held down with a cargo strap.
Again not sure on team name and exact vehicle details but a Nineties Chevrolet K-series truck with a tent trailer minus the trailer mounted on the bed.
Team: Ramrod
Car: 2005 Ford Crown Victoria
Car: 2005 Ford Crown Victoria
This one has a bit of a police theme going here and some of us were speculating if they would encounter any grief from the law.
A close up of their 2×4 “light bar” which they wisely painted orange.
Team: Team Un-Impreza’d
Vehicle: 1998 Subaru Impreza
Vehicle: 1998 Subaru Impreza
Impreza station wagon with gold accents.
Team: Mini Truckin’
Vehicle: 1991 Mazda B2200
Vehicle: 1991 Mazda B2200
A nice looking mini truck with later Nissan rims and custom decals.
A close up …
Team: Deliverance
Vehicle: 1979 Ford Pinto Delivery Wagon
Vehicle: 1979 Ford Pinto Delivery Wagon
This one was bought in a bulk Pinto purchase a few years back. The stripes seem to have done in an unconventional way as the car was painted flat black except for where the stripe was.
There was even a limousine this year with this Lincoln Town Car version. It should certainly be a comfortable ride.
Team: Gangster’s Paradise
Vehicle: 1951 Plymouth Cambridge
Vehicle: 1951 Plymouth Cambridge
This team drove the scary rusty Camaro from last year but brought this very cool and more solid looking Plymouth Cambridge. The “True North” badging was worn by a few of the teams from the Edmonton area (what is generally called northern Alberta but it more geographically central).
Team: Austin 3:16
Vehicle: 1949 Austin A40 Devon
Vehicle: 1949 Austin A40 Devon
Another returning team who successfully ran the unlikely Hillman Minx last year. This time around they had the oldest car with this 1949 Austin A40 Devon. Four team members folded themselves, their supplies and tools into this very small car. The manual start via crank handle is a nice touch.
There were so many neat touches on all the cars like the custom breather and air filter.
Team: Better off Dead
Vehicle: 1975 Toyota Corolla
Vehicle: 1975 Toyota Corolla
Another team with GBC experience as they had run a Mustang with a microwave on the roof a couple years back. This time it was a 1975 Toyota Corolla with dual cam 4AGE engine swapped in. This one has no window glass besides the windshield as thoughtless vandals had smashed all the glass and only the front glass could be sourced.
Team: Go Go Gadget Wagon
Vehicle: 1974 Pontiac Astre Safari
Vehicle: 1974 Pontiac Astre Safari
As a 1974 model the Astre was only sold in Canada. It was also sold in the US the following years. I never got to see this one close up but it sounded to be running rough so it could have been on the original engine still.
Team: Team Field55
Vehicle: 1955 Ford Customline Sedan
Vehicle: 1955 Ford Customline Sedan
A very solid and original looking 1955 Ford Customline four door sedan. Behind and beside you can see two of the Eighties era full size Broncos that entered.
Team: Wedded Bliss
Vehicle: 1993 Ford Tempo
Vehicle: 1993 Ford Tempo
The Chevrolet badge on the front is a nice touch.
Team: We’re Baaack!
Vehicle: 1960 Chevrolet Parkwood Wagon
Vehicle: 1960 Chevrolet Parkwood Wagon
Ghost Buster’s themed 1960 Chevrolet Parkwood Wagon
Another returning team as indicated by the name of “We’re Baaack!”. Last year they ran an interesting and tiny Chevrolet powered motorhome. This year they outdid themselves with this amazingly detailed Ghostbuster replica. It had working lights and sounds making it a highlight for this year for many including myself.
Team: Holiday Road
Vehicle: 1989 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser
Vehicle: 1989 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser
Another movie themed car but this time National Lampoon’s Vacation inspired 1989 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser station wagon.
A different variation on the same theme with this Mazda MPV minivan.
Team: 2 Dollar Hauler
Vehicle: 1978 Lincoln Continental
Vehicle: 1978 Lincoln Continental
Another returning team and vehicle the 2 Dollar Hauler folks sold snacks from their vehicle for the not too surprising price of two dollars.
Team: Ace Vandura
Vehicle: 1987 GMC Vandura 2500
Vehicle: 1987 GMC Vandura 2500
This GBC rookie team cutely named themselves Ace Vandura while driving this 1987 GMC Vandura 2500 van.
Team: The Glue Factory
Vehicle: 1980 Ford Bronco
Vehicle: 1980 Ford Bronco
One of two Bronco entered and as an early example has F-O-R-D spelled out of the hood rather than the blue oval logo of the later Broncos.
I did not manage to catch the team name or specifics of this Mercedes.
Team: Initial D
Vehicle: 1984 Volkswagen Scirocco
Vehicle: 1984 Volkswagen Scirocco
One of a few teams with temporary twenty four hour registration permits.
Team: Team Volwoa
Vehicle: 1989 Volvo 740
Vehicle: 1989 Volvo 740
Team: Trailer Park Boys
Vehicle: 1977 Chrysler Newport
Vehicle: 1977 Chrysler Newport
Team: Christmas Empirical
Vehicle: 1952 Mercury M1 pickup
Vehicle: 1952 Mercury M1 pickup
Team: Ramble On
Vehicle: 1966 Rambler American
Vehicle: 1966 Rambler American
Team: Rusty Bucket Grain Co
Vehicle: 1957 Mercury M-350
Canadian market 1957 Mercury M-350 with flat bed deck. With the exception of the side pipe it looked farm fresh. They had a collection of dogs with them.
Team: Team Duh-kota
Vehicle: 1992 Dodge Dakota
Vehicle: 1992 Dodge Dakota
A large collection of stickers on this pickup.
1975 GMC Sierra Grande with eye popping orange paint and a rather large wing. I believe the team name was Rusty Creamsicle Returns. It also powered the PA system for the driver’s meeting.
Team: Danger Zone
Vehicle: 1987 Dodge Ramcharger
Vehicle: 1987 Dodge Ramcharger
This Ramcharger was run by a team that has competed every year (four) of the GBC.
Team: Sightation and the MasterBeaters
Vehicle: 1982 Chevrolet Citation
Vehicle: 1982 Chevrolet Citation
Many hot rodders would love this level of patina.
Team: Out of this world
Vehicle: 1963 Ford Galaxie
Vehicle: 1963 Ford Galaxie
This a Galaxie four door wore a name appropriate paint scheme and a paint tray hood scoop. I love the beehive lights as signal light replacements.
Team: Denim Demons
Vehicle: 1998 Saturn SL1
Vehicle: 1998 Saturn SL1
This Saturn was a veteran of a local Gambler 500 race and back for more in the GBC.
Team: Return of the Jetti
Vehicle: 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
Vehicle: 1998 Volkswagen Jetta
This team and their custom exhaust Jetta returned from last year.
Team: Swedish Experience
Vehicle: 2002 Volvo S60 T5
Vehicle: 2002 Volvo S60 T5
One of the more modern and likely comfortable entries was this 2002 Volvo S60 T5.
Team: Ronin Justified
Car: 1988 Subaru Justy
Car: 1988 Subaru Justy
A rare to see Subaru Justy deluxe with a hood scoop made from not one but two paint trays.
Team: Stockholm Syndrome
Vehicle: 1970 Volvo 164
Vehicle: 1970 Volvo 164
A straight six powered Volvo 164.
Team: Eileen and the Junkyard Juggernauts
Vehicle: 1957 Ford Custom
This one sported a more modern Ford V8 engine with fuel injection.
Vehicle: 1957 Ford Custom
This one sported a more modern Ford V8 engine with fuel injection.
Last up is our Hokey Ass Machine, the 1996 Toyota Tercel with a pig theme. I was not sure our decorations would survive highway speeds so we put them all in place in the parking lot.
One of the unsung volunteers with the sweep trucks.
Not part of the group but parked near was this Swiss plated Iveco motorhome. There were a few additional teams I managed not to get photos of but in the next installment we will get on with the actual event itself.
Full The Great Beater Challenge 2019 segments:
I continue to be fascinated that most of these cars were bought for USD550.
Some great rides this year! I’m really doubting the budget on some of them though.
Right… I can’t say I’ve seen a lot of Volvo S60’s offered in the $700 range lately.
That one was “out of province” meaning it came from outside Alberta and now subject to an out of province inspection which is both expensive and strict. Likely the result would be thousands of dollars in repairs needed to pass dropping the value of any such car.
Wow — I wouldn’t have guessed that. Maybe Alberta should come up with a checklist for people moving to the province that starts with: 1) Sell your old cars before you move here.
Most people do unless it is a valuable or new vehicle. Decades ago a bunch of poorly repaired accident damaged vehicles were “dumped” in Alberta as it had lax safety inspections at the time. This was the response and still in place.
Indeed. A ’55 Chevy for less than $700? Maybe in 1978 as a 23 year old beater, but now, even as a ‘rough field [find]’, it should cost way more than that.
Sure, it could have been a ‘ran when parked’ situation, but then usually the engine is seized up, and it would cost way more than $700 to get it going again.
But as David has proven so far, these guys and gals can be very creative, so there’s that.
Well at least with that 55 Chevy even if the engine was seized there is probably a good enough runner out in the old pickup, rusted out Caprice or Malibu setting out in the field.
They have a YouTube that I will share that showed the as bought state – it was not pretty and did not seem to include any front end sheet metal.
I am sure some did fudge the budget. Also remember the “safety” items including tires, suspension and brakes and not included in the budget. My Pontiac last year was a good example – the total cost was much more than $700 but almost all of it was safety items.
Oh yeah, I remember that now regarding safety items being excluded from the budget limitations.
Ok, NOW the ’60 Chevy makes complete sense. It’s an emergency vehicle, so the entire thing is all about public safety.
After all, “Who ya gonna call?” LOL – Ok, bad pun. I’ll show myself out now.
Coming from rust belt Ontario, I find it fascinating that all these vehicles were under the $700 price limit.
For most of them, here $700 would buy you parts, not a whole actually running car!
I love these.
The one that caused me to smile the most is the Sightation with the “Heartbeat of America” license plate. And of course the Justy one-upping your paint-tray hood scoop concept.
The most unexpected car for me would be the Pontiac Astre. My memory doesn’t go back far enough to remember when the last time was that I saw one.
As to the Porschota possibly making a last-minute substitution, maybe he thought the same thing about your Hamborghini: “I’m sure that guy bought a $700 Lamborghini, but at the last minute took his Tercel here instead.”
Their initial vehicle was to be a 1977 Porsche 924, but unfortunately in last minute preparation they damaged either and injector or and injector line and therefore were forced to run the backup Toyota.
Gaaah, DS, you are killing me with these. 55 Chevy, 52 Mercury pickup and that sweet Rambler.
Life is good in Alberta….
I went to look at the Great Beater Challenge website, and take a look at what I found staring at me from the Details page!!!
https://greatbeaterchallenge.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/44335306962_6c22db2c8e_k.jpg?w=2000
https://greatbeaterchallenge.com/details/
I know the organizer and there are a good number of my photos on the site.
Proving that fame is just a beater challenge away!
Still one of my favourite CC cars ever! 🙂
This series has been endlessly entertaining so far, thanks David.
Like I said yesterday, I am looking forward to this, David.
Are you upset or flattered that a couple of teams copied your paint-tray-hood-scoop idea?
And then there’s the Plan B team calling their car a “Porschota”… Your first post announcing this year’s GBC called your plan “Plan B” and the second post called your car a Hamborghini. A rather odd coincidence.
Another car that makes me wonder about the $700 budget cap: The ’60 Chevy Ghostbusters car. The artwork on that thing alone likely cost more than that.
Funny how the Panther with the 2X4 “light bar” was mentioned as having to need to worry about trouble from the police. I would think that ’60 Chevy would have that issue even more with a REAL light bar.
Anyway, this is gonna be fun! ;o)
Sorry… My bad… I went back for a re-read and saw that the “Plan B” team was driving the Tempaz.
The paint-tray-hood-scoop was not really even mine to begin with. On the very first challenge the sweep truck driver suggested it to cure the overheating K-car. Didn’t work. I am happy to see more however. I still have the 2017 paint tray in the garage even though my wife keeps wanting to throw it away. Just in case …
Theres some grand old dungas in that line up, I like the Customline and even the old Austin though I suspect its later than 49 the pre 50 had smaller headlights. It will be interesting to see what lasts and what doesnt.
I love that ‘77 Chrysler! Proper old boat
Wow, this has become quite the event! That’s a huge field. I think the two rides I’d most like to be in would be either the Justy or the ’75 Corolla. But all of them look like a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to the start!
But the 77 Newport looks a lot more comfortable!
The Corolla was pretty darn loud without glass. They had ear muffs but I gave them some ear plugs to double up on protection. Sadly they blew their rear diff on the first day.
I think the 55 Ford is the one I find most intriguing. Those seem to have disappeared at all levels of the hobby except for the occasional highly restored model. A 55 Ford and a 55 Chevy in one Beater Challenge is kind of interesing.
If I had to choose one for myself out of all of them, it would be the M-350 flatbed. This should be fun…
That ’78 Lincoln looks just like mine. Same white vinyl half-roof over wedgewood blue.
It kinda made me cringe a little, to see this one in the ‘beater’ category! Maybe hit too close for home that mine is closer to a beater than a concourse car, ha!
It’s hard not to love that Parkwood, but a 1949 Austin Devon? It deserves to win just by existing.
Sadly no ‘Austin Powers’ references though. Oh behave! Yeah baby!