Photo shoot Vintage baja truck

[Norra 1000]

On the way to the Long beach 40th party we stopped off by Reno and did a photo shoot for a magazine, I talked to a lot of people and decided not to restore it sence it was in original condition, I cleaned up the truck and built a new race motor, Rebuilt the tranny and transfer case, New shocks and did the brakes, I did replace all the suspension bolts to make it safe, I replaced the decals i could buy and had some custom made, I plan on driving it a lot, Iam going to start by taking it to the 1000 in 3 weeks and driving the vintage parade and playing around ensenada, And for the people that dont know my truck is a Vic Hickey built 1969 Chevy C-10 4X4, it first raced in the 1968 Baja 1000, The James Garner 1970 442 Baja race car I own will be done soon, I hope ? Ron:)

[ryan brown]

very very cool

[2dumnotto]

Please, please don't do a thing to this truck. Make it safe drive it and enjoy it. This is a living breathing example of days gone by.

[fj40]

We sow it in contingency row, you have done a great job to this truck.

[Norra 1000]

Thanks this years Baja 1000 was a blast, We had fun driving the truck in the Vintage parade from TJ to Ensenada, The truck ran flawless on the 65 mile parade, I even took if off the ensenada leap around 50 mph got almost 2 feet air that was at night so we did not get good photos

[Blanco]

:confused: I never saw any of these rigs there?

[Norra 1000]

most of the vintage cars and trucks left right after the parade, I think i was the only one that stayed and drove around ensenada after the parade and start of the race

[Blueblood]

hey Baja 1000 i saw you and your rig saturday before the race driving south on the 101 near Santa Barbra and then again wedsday after the race in TJ (in all that BS traffic) cool rig you got there

[Norra 1000]

hey Baja 1000 i saw you and your rig saturday before the race driving south on the 101 near Santa Barbra and then again wedsday after the race in TJ (in all that BS traffic) cool rig you got there

Thanks, Iam having a lot of fun with the truck, I had a lot of thumbs up on the drive down and back

[Blanco]

Did you actually drive it to & from?
Or did you trailer it?

[Norra 1000]

Did you actually drive it to & from?
Or did you trailer it?

I trailered it to TJ then drove it to ensenada and around ensedada, About 200 miles then trailered it back to Washington, With a 11 to 1 355 SBC and 4.56 gears and 32" tall tires iam not about to try to drive it 3000 miles, I have been driving it everyday sence i got home

[AngerIssues]

I saw these photos... and all I could say (to myself)... was

DUDE... (I repeated this outloud numerous times).

Where did you find it and what did you pay? I'm so jealous!!

DUDE!!! (don't touch the truck)

[Norra 1000]

I saw these photos... and all I could say (to myself)... was

DUDE... (I repeated this outloud numerous times).

Where did you find it and what did you pay? I'm so jealous!!

DUDE!!! (don't touch the truck)

I found it in the back of a used tire shop in Alturas California, It was for sale and the guy wanted $1000.00 and i talked him down to $500.00, After all the repairs to make it in the condition it is in now,I have about $5000.00 in it now, I has 14000 original miles on it, It first raced inthe Baja 1000 in 1968, It was built by Vic Hickey and then bought by Steve McQueen and the only race it won was in 1970 by Mickey Thompson, There is a lot of history with it, I had a blast driving it

[BADBONES]

WOW!!!!!!Thats cool!!!!!

[jonnyslick]

Awesome ... what kind of tires are those? Very nice to see some of the old history perserved.

[Norra 1000]

Awesome ... what kind of tires are those? Very nice to see some of the old history perserved.

the tires are Goodyear R-3 All Terrain, I have 6 vintage ones from 1968 I used the 2 best ones for the spairs in the back of the bed, I talked to Corperate Goodyear and found original tires, They were made untill 2 years ago for tractors, Goodyear had 100 new tires and sold me 20 for now, I have a blast with this truck, everyone said dont touch it so i made it driveable and that is the way it will stay, The only thing i will do is recover the seats The drivers seat is 100% worn out , It hurts to sit on the steel frame It did not feel that good when i took it off the Ensedada leap at around 50mph,Thanks for your great comments, Ron

[DavidWymore]

Awesome!

[toddz69]

Ron:

Picked up a copy of "Off Road Adventures" this weekend at Parker that has your truck article in it. Written by Ned Bacon - one of my favorite writers. Great article!! If you don't get the magazine, you can get copies of it at your local 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers.

Todd Z.

[Norra 1000]

Ron:

Picked up a copy of "Off Road Adventures" this weekend at Parker that has your truck article in it. Written by Ned Bacon - one of my favorite writers. Great article!! If you don't get the magazine, you can get copies of it at your local 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers.

Todd Z.

Yea i saw the story, Not bad for the trucks first, Ron

[4x4dudester]

Was the sister truck to this one two wheel drive? Post up some pictures of the banshee!

[Norra 1000]

The sister truck was just like this one, 4X4, I will post some Banshee photos tonight

[wiley-moeracing]

Hey are you guys still in washington state, if so my best bud/co-driver just moved up there in mount vernon for a year or so. He might be interested in catching a beer some time? thanks tim

[Norra 1000]

I live in Tacoma, I love to BS about off Road racing and show my Vintage toys and current race rig, Give me a call 253-468-0857, Ron

[Norra 1000]

The sister truck was just like this one, 4X4, I will post some Banshee photos tonight

Here are a few of Vintage Banshee photos from my personal collection with James Garner driving

[Norra 1000]

Here are a few of Vintage Banshee photos from my personal collection with James Garner driving, The last 2 photos are the front and back of a photo at the 1970 Baja 1000 showing the time of the run, James Garner and Cliff Coleman driving, The same Cliff coleman who will be at the Mint 400 and driving my Vintage truck again, WAY COOL!:eek:

A few more Banshee photos

[Norra 1000]

A few more Banshee photos

While iam at it, Here are some photos of my current project James Garner 1970 Olds 442 Goodyear Grabber Olds, First raced at the 1969 Baja 1000 and came in 2nd place, This car will be brought out later this year:D

[Norra 1000]

While iam at it, Here are some photos of my current project James Garner 1970 Olds 442 Goodyear Grabber Olds, First raced at the 1969 Baja 1000 and came in 2nd place, This car will be brought out later this year:D

Just a few more photos

[wiley-moeracing]

That is one bad a$$ vehicle, especially for the day, with the body off looks like a trophy truck. Can't wait to see it. I will pass on the phone # to Stephen my co-driver so he can give you guys a call Thanks tim

[4x4dudester]

So there was two Banshees?

[Norra 1000]

So there was two Banshees?

My steel body 1970 442 was the first race car, The 2nd was a 1969 442 pre runner and also a race car for Cliff Coleman, And the 3rd was the fiberglass body Banshee based on a 1969 442 body with a wheel base and body shortened 14" and the motor set back 27", There were 3 total cars made, In the photo with 3 cars my 1970 is on the left, then the 1969 in the middle and the Banshee on the right, I hope this answers your question:cool:

[AngerIssues]

My steel body 1970 442 was the first race car, The 2nd was a 1969 442 pre runner and also a race car for Cliff Coleman, And the 3rd was the fiberglass body Banshee based on a 1969 442 body with a wheel base and body shortened 14" and the motor set back 27", There were 3 total cars made, In the photo with 3 cars my 1970 is on the left, then the 1969 in the middle and the Banshee on the right, I hope this answers your question:cool:


Ron, that photo of the three... and the fact that you own ONE... is just downright... uh.... AWESOME. They are epic pieces of history and you own part of it!! Too cool. Can't wait to see #40 at the pre-run - also looking forward to the 442 when it's ready. Keep up the good work.


"if I knew I was making history, I would have paid more attention".

[Norra 1000]

Thanks, Its a HONOR to own and work on these old race cars and trucks

[4x4dudester]

Where did you find the Banshee? Also the article in ORA said you own one of the Baja Boots. You have any pictures of the Boot?

[Norra 1000]

Where did you find the Banshee? Also the article in ORA said you own one of the Baja Boots. You have any pictures of the Boot?

Right now i have in my shop the 1969 Hickey truck, the 1970 Olds 442, I just made the deal on the Banshee but its not in the shop yet, And i just found the Baja Boot in England, It will be here soon, In the offroad Adventures magazine they were not correct in the time line, I first found the truck, Then bought the 1970 442, I do not know how they came up with i had the Banshee first, But its on the way, Here are some photos of the Baja Boot, It will also be in Vegas, A friend Bob Law who owns the restored Baja Boot told me he would sell it to me some day

[Norra 1000]

Right now i have in my shop the 1969 Hickey truck, the 1970 Olds 442, I just made the deal on the Banshee but its not in the shop yet, And i just found the Baja Boot in England, It will be here soon, In the offroad Adventures magazine they were not correct in the time line, I first found the truck, Then bought the 1970 442, I do not know how they came up with i had the Banshee first, But its on the way, Here are some photos of the Baja Boot, It will also be in Vegas, A friend Bob Law who owns the restored Baja Boot told me he would sell it to me some day

More boot photos

[4x4dudester]

Which Baja Boot is yours, the white top one or the black?

[Salttoy]

Baja 1000,

Where did you get the Olds and the Banshee. I have a few bad cell phone pictures of them from the Mendenhall Museum in Buelton.

[4x4dudester]

And how did you find the Boot in England?

[Norra 1000]

Baja 1000,

Where did you get the Olds and the Banshee. I have a few bad cell phone pictures of them from the Mendenhall Museum in Buelton.

I found the 1970 Olds 442 in Salinas Ca, and the Banshee at Mark Mendenhalls, its still there for now

[Salttoy]

Very Cool. I was there with my dad for a Land Racing something or another and remember seeing the Olds and the Banshee. It is not in bad shape and was amazed how much modifications were done to the car for the vintage, some real out of the box thinking. Should be a great reto project.

[4x4dudester]

And how did you find the Boot in England?

[4x4dudester]

Is this your Banshee??http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BANSHEE-OLDSMOBILE-OFFROAD-RACE-CAR-JAMES-GARNER-HICKEY_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34230QQihZ020QQi temZ300210807071QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[toddz69]

Is this your Banshee??http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BANSHEE-OLDSMOBILE-OFFROAD-RACE-CAR-JAMES-GARNER-HICKEY_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34230QQihZ020QQi temZ300210807071QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Wow! Nice starting price - curious to see if they get any bids on it.

Todd Z.

[Norra 1000]

Wow! Nice starting price - curious to see if they get any bids on it.

Todd Z.

Mark quoted me a price of $55.000.00, i was taking longer to come up with the final payment so he listed it, It will not sell at that price, I should have the rest of the cash by the end of the month

[toddz69]

Mark quoted me a price of $55.000.00, i was taking longer to come up with the final payment so he listed it, It will not sell at that price, I should have the rest of the cash by the end of the month

Sounds good, Ron. I hope you get it!

Todd Z.

[4x4dudester]

Did you get the Banshee? Were you able to make it to the Mint 400?

[Blanco]

Yes he was at the MINT400 & I got Pics. http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3319

I got them starting out their Pre-run in the Boot too. :)

[Mike P]

I have been looking for photos of the 442 for a while, I'm glad I found this site! What kind of mods were done to the car?

[4x4dudester]

I have been looking for photos of the 442 for a while, I'm glad I found this site! What kind of mods were done to the car?

I think it was basically the first Trophy Car! Completely custom. If you look up more of baja1000's posts I think he tells more about it. Thanks for the pics Blanco!

[63chevyll]

that thing is so bad ass

[Norra 1000]

here is the rear suspension i installed so when we run the norra 1000 the car has a chance

[dunemafia44]

wow, that thing is going to look awesome when its done

[Mike P]

I have been following your builds on the 442 and the Blazer, you sir are my HERO! I was looking at Trackside Photo and was amazed at all the cars that were raced. Is the suspension in the pics close to original? Who makes the arms, are they custom?

[Norra 1000]

here are a few photos before i put the body back on

[Norra 1000]

the rear arms are direct bolt on 442 and chevelle made by C3 Fab, The suspension is all the same as stock but i went with King Shocks 2" longer in the rear , The rear coil springs were custom made by Deaver, the front is all original but the Deaver coils The stock A arms were used but i did not like the original ball joints so i installed screw in ball joints, I tryed to keep the car as stock as possible , most people would just restore it 100% stock race condition but iam going to race it at several vintage events so we had to do a few upgrades, if i want i can bolt the stock style shocks and seats back on for a major show, I got Rick Johnson from the General Tires Team 71 trophy truck to drive the 442 and the 1000 i will co drive and we will also run my 1969 Vic hickey race truck at the 1000 with the original driver Cliff Coleman behind the wheel again, i cannot wait untill this race is over so i can get back on the class 3 race blazer again, i had to put it on hold to do the 442, it should be a fun race:D

[Mike P]

Wow, I thought there would be more custom or one off stuff or truck/heavy duty parts used to get a car to perform off road. I assume the truck is pretty much like stock also? Are the axles trussed or multiple shocks used any other suspension mods that were done back in the day? Sorry for all the questions I just can't get enough of this vintage off road stuff!

[Norra 1000]

The truck is pretty much stock, the front is a dana 44 with a axle truss and 4.56 gears, the rear is a stock 12 bolt with 4.56 gears, and they used 2 Monroe shocks on each corner, 2 25 gallon fuel cells in the bed, a very simple roll cage 12 to 1 350 sbc motor witha TH 400 tranny and a dana 20 transfer case and they did not have race seats in 1968 so they installed 1968 Corvette bucket seats