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Nick named "Big Red" this truck started life as a stock
1973 C-20 pick-up for 2wd
Production class Off
Road Racing and
when it was finished and ready to race it had cost M/T $50,000
dollars. The whole truck was taken apart and every part was up graded
or modified. This truck was the only off-road vehicle he drove for
more than one season. Its First race was the Mexican 1000 in
November 1972 where on the first 85 mile leg of the race he averaged
109 miles per hour.
It was
powered by a 454-Chevrolet engine which was estimated to produce 600
horsepower. The truck weighed 5600-pounds and had a top speed in
excess of 150-MPH off-road. The transmission was a Turbo Hydra-Matic
highly modified by B&M, and was fitted with two large
transmissions coolers.
Because
of the problems M/T experienced in previous years the truck had two
of almost every thing, two separate and independent brake master
cylinders, two alternators, dual ignition systems which could be
switched by the co-driver while the truck was on the road.
All the
hoses feeding the engine are aircraft-standard parts, and the oil
hoses are designed to keep the engine oil contained in the engine
should the truck inadvertently roll over on it's roof. The front and
rear disc brakes are Delco, there are three shocks per wheel. The
rear end which is not even a standard pick-up rear end has been
completely reworked, with a lot of special fabrication, and is made
to accept the disc brakes. The axles are full-floating, specially
machined units with safety hubs. The rear end was built to hold extra
fluid and had a innovative system to aid in cooling the fluid, the
carrier is removable in order to change gear ratios with ease.
The roll
cage and front bumper are made of titanium. The truck has a 55-gal.
fuel tank mounted at the rear inside the bed with a fill on both
sides to make it faster to refuel.
As a final
note, we have this truck at our shop in Eugene, Oregon. It is just as
Mickey left it in 1975 after racing it. We hope some day to restore
it back to race ready shape. |
