The Great Beater Challenge is an automotive event that gives unloved, marginal vehicles one last shot at glory on an epic weekend road trip. There is a scavenger hunt of check points and challenges along the way. It is not a race but an event. Follow along for an account of the 2018 edition.
Here is the map for Day 1. We will cover roughly half the distance in this post.
My boys and I piled into the Laurentian three abreast on the front bench seat and hit the road. There was one in town challenge before we ventured out onto the highway. Due to a last minute time crunch there had been almost total lack of testing and this moment marked the first time I had driven the Pontiac on the highway. In fact the first time it had been on the highway at all in almost forty years. So a trial but hopefully not by fire. Almost immediately an issue popped up. Take a close look at the photo above. See anything odd? The speedometer maybe … yes it is displaying over 100mph. I suspect the speedometer cable came loose as the needle would bounce around wildly before setting in at zero or one hundred plus miles per hour.
Several teams including this Power Wagon passed us but I am used to being one the slower teams in the event every year. A quick note on the in car photos, they were taken by my sons in the front seat but they leaned over to take them from the driver’s perspective. Two reasons for this; I think they look better and the cracks in the windshield get in the way more on the passenger side.
We used a phone based GPS speedometer for a while just to verify that our speed was roughly 100km/h (60 mph) which seemed like a reasonable balance between a highway friendly speed and sympathy for an old and largely untested drive-train. Those Canada flag sunglasses did not last long on my face as they were hard on the eyes. The little compass ball hanging for the rear-view mirror has come on all three challenges with us despite being almost always inaccurate.
The initial portion of the journey involves heading west from Lethbridge through flat prairie landscape before giving way to rolling hills and finally mountains. This year there is a pronounced smoke haze from wild fires burning in British Columbia and Montana.
The first real out of town stop was at Beaver Mines and these old mining carts. The front middle seat was deemed to uncomfortable at this point with one boy retreating to the rear.
We were still bunched closely enough together to see other teams at this point. Except for our organizer who had running into fueling issues and was broken down at the side of the road.
Both the Tercel and Escort were part of the challenge. One of the competitors from last year’s run was without a vehicle this time around so he jumped in with us for a stint.
A fixture on all three challenges is Frank’s Slide. Most took the opportunity to stop and make sure their rides were running reasonably well.
A photo of the mountain and slide from a couple years ago on much clearer day. On April 29 1903 the eastern edge of mining Town Frank was covered by 90 million tons of rock sliding down from nearby Turtle mountain. The mountain was the site of an active coal mine which likely contributed the slide on an already unstable mountain. Ironically many of the men working in the mine were safe and returned to find their families and homes gone. Total loss of life is estimated to be between 70 and 90. The railway was covered but quickly repaired, the mine re-opened and the remains of the town re-located. With the exception of the highway and railway cutting through it the site of the slide remains as it was in 1903.
A Hillman, a Pinto and a Volvo walk into a bar. Wait … that is not right. Regardless there cannot be too many times this trio of cars is seen together. The guys in the Volvo had fired up their generator and were cooking Swedish meatballs in the back as well as playing Aba and Ace of Base music exclusively.
My friend Rod and his family are also three time challenge participants and this Civic has been with them each time. They were good enough to drive at the Pontiac’s pace in case (when?) I ran into in trouble. As the second oldest vehicle in this year’s challenge trouble was certainly a good possibility.
At this stop we had to name a rock, ours was Bob. Somewhat surprisingly our Pontiac was running well. I would have liked to have added an engine temperature gauge before we left for extra insurance but luckily the weather was pleasant and warm rather than hot thus far.
We then set off further into to the Crowsnest Pass in search of lunch and fuel. I was not keeping good track of mileage but a rough calculation showed that the Laurentian achieving 16mpg or so. She was burning a bit of oil as well so that was also topped up. An older couple were drawn to my car and wanted to know if I was restoring it. I tried to explain a bit about the road trip and that I might consider fixing it further if it made it back in one piece. I think they left puzzled.
The Crownest Pass is the southern most route in Canada through the Rocky Mountains. Normally one can see the mountains from the road but not today unfortunately with all the forest fire smoke.
Occasionally we got a glimpse of a mountain but they were mostly shrouded by smoke.
As we head into British Columbia I could not resist a quick photo stop next to this giant dump truck bed. The car generated a few more thumbs up from fellow highway travelers.
British Columbia is currently experiencing the worse fire season in its history and we saw a few water drop helicopters filling with the water but never did see any fire thankfully.
Seeing the Volvo proudly flying the Swedish flag I realized I missed similar opportunity with my own car.
I always seem to find myself near the back of the pack on these adventures. Even the Hillman was slightly ahead at this point.
And the 1935 Ford/1973 Jeep mash-up.
At this stop we discovered that the Plymouth Voyager had a matching Coleman Voyager cooler! My apologies for the blurry photo.
The Pontiac lived all of its life in southern Alberta so I would like imagine that it visited the Elk River Hotel once before perhaps when they were both in their prime.
We kept on rolling.
We briefly stopped in Fernie at the historical oil derrick.
The Pontiac had a hard to fitting in at the small town dealerships as it is all about trucks and more trucks these days.
I thought the minivan might be in a spot of trouble but they just killed a large bug and were taking a photo.
We were supposed to prove how bad our car sounds in the tunnel. My new exhaust is working at least as it was only wind noise.
The miles pile on. The Pontiac has much lower handling limits than my daily driver (2004 Acura TSX) so corners needed to be taken with less speed and more caution.
We managed to join an impromptu car show about half way through day one. Unfortunately the Triumph TR7 had engine trouble and had to drop out. I had heard later from others that it did not sound healthy even at the start. GBC 2018 claims its first victim. With that we will wrap up part one of day one with more road trip goodness to come.
The whole Great Beater Challenge 2018 series
I have to say that your Laurentian fits perfectly into the scenery. Roll on!
Good fun! Is it the same route every year or just the same start and end points?
I think the Hillman has to be one of the crowd favorites. It’s hard not to smile every time I see it and I’m not really a Hillman guy (or never thought of myself that way). The Pontiac looks great too, long(ish), low(ish) and wide(ish)!
Portions of the route are shared with the first two years. The start and finish is always Lethbridge and there are only so many ways to get in and out. Part 2 will cover all new Beater Challenge ground.
I am loving this virtual ride-along. Yes, the middle of the front seat was never comfortable.
Love the travelogue; here’s hoping you had good motoring all the way. Sorry to hear about the TR-7 dropping out, since that was one of my sentimental favorites. Maybe they’ll find and up the ante with a TR-8 next year.
No chance at a TR8 for under $700 even as a parts car. The ladies driving the TR7 didn’t know how to drive standard before setting off so they learned a new skill at least.
I wonder if Paul meant drop a V8 in it? Keeping with the budget/beater theme perhaps a 3800 V6?
I was hoping for the actual TR8, though your idea is even better (and cost-effective!).
“Unfortunately the Triumph TR7 had engine trouble and had to drop out.”
I am shocked – Shocked – to find that a Triumph had engine trouble.
Great story, great pictures, great reporting.
Now, let’s be fair; we know they got a new engine before the race, but not necessarily a new *Triumph* engine. They could’ve been running their TR7 with, say, a Vega motor. [Shudder.]
This is fantastic David. Your thorough prep has paid off so far. Your Pontiac will probably elicit the most positive response from other drivers and people you meet, as it brings back so many warm memories for them. Nice touch adding the mid 1970s Alberta plate to the front. The smoke adds ‘mood’ to your pics.
Best wishes, hoping your slow but steady, progress holds up!
Lovely road trip ; lovely old cars, wearing their decades with Pride!
Great posting- enjoyed it!
From that clip, the Poncho seems to be running like a train. Ever consider the possibility that, some year, your beater will provide such stalwart service that you develop a glowing affection for it, keep it, and start a restoration?
Glad to hear your Pontiac is doing well. So does slow and steady wins the race? While some of the mods the other teams have done their cars are pretty amusing, I must say I enjoy your car’s original appearance. I hope the beater challenge isn’t its last hurrah and it will stay on the road for some time yet!
As far as I can recall, the wild and crazy speedometer was a standard feature in GM cars of that era. Usually first emerging in very cold weather, to make more frequent returns in warmer weather over time. Someone else must recall the cause and remedy.
And the bench front seat was constructed to comfortably accomodate three male adolescent backsides. And only then while cruising. (I call shotgun!)
Roll, team, roll! You make us proud.
Great story so far David, and the Pontiac is looking really good.
We have been living in the smoke out here in BC for some time now. It hasn’t made for much of a summer.
I’m looking forward to the rest of the trip!
Radium Hot Springs! Home of the Goat House and (on the hill thereabove) a super-delicious Hungarian restaurant, the Citadella, built into a hotel run by the same people. Highly recommended.
No seatbelts, I’m guessing…
Yeah, no kidding. It was super freakin’ awful in Vancouver; the sun was dark red at noon and the moon was dark brown (except when it was invisible). Health authorities were equating the air quality with chainsmoking all day. The wind shifted and blew the smoke away a week ago, but everything in the house, car, etc is covered with dust and all the air filters need changing.
It’s also got a “Sped-R” bumper sticker, which—though I can’t read the fine print—looks like it might be a spoof of a “Spec-R” bumper sticker. “Spec-R” is, ttbomk, a meaningless wordoid that’s supposed to add, like, a hunnerd horsepower to whatever clapped-out Honda Civic it’s slapped on (200hp if it’s accompanied by yellow vinyl kanji characters). “Sped” is a common abbreviation for “Special Education”, so I’m guessing this is an oblique short-bus reference.
The Spec-R decal is for Spec-R Motorsports Tire & Wheel, a tire shop in Calgary, Alberta where one of the team members works, and incidentally, where the van was found through.
Oh! Sure looks more like “Sped-R” to me, but I guess that’s the photo’s blurriness doing it, then.
Your Pontiac seems to be going fine and I’m pleased the old Minx is still amongst the runners tough old things they were,
David, thanks for the wonderful travelogue! And best of luck (at least I HOPE the luck was good!).
A great start.
You know, I was discussing this event with Mrs DougD today, I think it appeals to her competitive nature:
So…. Could we run our VW in it?
Ah, no. First of all we’d have to leave early, like NOW to make the start of the 2019 event. That or trailer it cross country. Also we spent more than $500 on it so we wouldn’t be eligible for prizes.
Hmmm. So could we get Stan and Deanna to buy an old car in Calgary for us?
This series is great and I’m eagerly awaiting more.
The ongoing concern about something crapping out when making long trips in 50+ year old cars is highly identifiable. May its smooth running continue for a very long time.
If Jason will sell me his Galaxie for $700 I will commit to competing next year. 🙂
There were discussions with a CC Contributor (I shan’t say who although he lives in Colorado) about taking the Galaxie to this years Beater Challenge.
The car was purchased for $200, so it would qualify….
That is quite the crack in the windshield I see. How does that ever pass a safety inspection?
I was wondering the same thing. I’m no prude, but driving along roads lined with gravel stones at speed with that crack would have my sphincter at maximum tension.
Great cover pic David. Secretly hoping you make this one a keeper (for a while at least).
It is a laminated windshield, so only the outer pane is cracked, not the inner. You can relax that sphincter now. 🙂
No! Later is fine, thankyou.
We were discussing this in one of the David’s earlier posts. As I understand it Alberta doesn’t have a government mandated safety inspection to register a car. Insurance companies do require an inspection, but it’s not as rigorous.
So far so good. The ‘ol Poncho will take good care of you. Drive on.
Know the areas well…too bad about all the smoke.
The old girl definitely looks good out there!
Abba and Ace of Base exclusively?
I think that’s against the Geneva Convention. Yikes!
I think the Laurentian is the sharpest looking car in the lineup. Hope it made it!
I have an old Autocar issue from 1955 with an ad for the same Hillman model on the front cover, and with the same colour scheme. The car is a little out of date, the slogan even more so.
This one a 55 for sale at Hinds Classics, runs and drives no back window or radiator, has the OHV motor, perfect beater challenge car for next year
Interesting to see the Anglia based van next to its modern equivalent too.
Oh dear oh dear, it’s not very grown-up of me I know, but I am rolling about laughing at that ad! In the (modern) light of the slogan, the various expressions of the occupants are just hilarious.
I am really liking how the car looks. The wheels suit it perfectly and seem to fill out the openings just fine. Doesn’t look like a narrow track.
Not at all surprised by the TR7, but really surprised the Minx is still going.
As usual, an excellent read, looking forward to the rest.
Ok so maybe I’m a little biased what with watching it be resurrected, but I do think it is the best looking car of the bunch. The wheels with the trim rings look good and to the overall look considerably. I’d keep them and add some chrome lug nuts and if it will fit a set of the old school “spyder” centers to complete the period look.
This is a great series. Can’t wait for the rest. Also, I do love the look of this car out on the road. Love the waterfall grille on these Pontiacs and it looks just as sharp on its Canadian siblings. Great lines from all angles too.
Great article as always David. I am glad to see your Laurentian did well.on day 1. Looking forward to day 2.
How the heck doesn’t something like this happen in the USA? I know about the 24 hours of Lemons, but what about “The Great American Jalopy Jaunt”?
Curbside Classic members only and it must be sourced from Craigslist or a salvage yard within 3 months of the start…
Purchase price of $750 or less, nothing newer than 1999…Theme song by Prince (I’m gonna drive it like it’s 1999…)
Repairs must be done by the owner and parts cannot total more than $150…bartering, bodging and selling non-essentials is encouraged…
A mix of scenery, camping and Vast American Vistas for the route…
Paul could use the proceeds for the website and to donate to a charity
This is a wonderful idea, and because MarcKyle64 came up with it I think that
he should be in charge and have the primary task of chauffeuring Paul’s Ford Truck so that Paul can get to take a turn driving all of the entries. Assuming MarcKyle64 can drive a stick. I cannot imagine the amount of organization this sort of thing would take, so I state the “in charge” part in jest, but I think this would be fabulous.
I prefer a stick 🙂 I’m not sure Paul would want anyone else at the wheel.
At the beginning, it would be little more than like meeting a few friends for camping and adding a road trip to it. I think the biggest expense for the organizer(s) would be time and maybe printing the signs and bumper stickers for the event. It can get fancy later, but at first it would be a grassroots thingy.
Or you could call it “Heap Across America” and invite Ray Magliozza from Car Talk to an opening dinner! Tom would have been better he was more into heaps but alas he is not with us. (RIP).
Bob
I’d suggest a total $ budget to be spent anyway the competitor wants. For example a $1000 budget so you could spend $800 prepping your $200 car or $200 prepping your $800 car. I think that could lead to a wider variety of vehicles along with some great build stories.
Great story!
The pic at the fuel stop: looks like the car is missing 1/2 of the windshield..no glare from the driver side..very odd imdeed.
I remember sitting in the middle of the front bench seat with my knees under my chin and on occasion sharing the middle, 4 across, with shifting duties delegated to the left middle front passenger as the driver worked the clutch. With a wide open back seat, I can’t blame your boy for bailing.
I drove that route in reverse 2 years ago, Fernie is a great little town!
Good to read things are going well, for most teams at least!
Are the Over the Hill guys following through with their 3-abreast plan?