America’s Next Top Monster Truck
Americans have always had an obsession with Monster Trucks and the carnage they produce. Some rank the motor sport up there with wrestling or boxing – and not everyone sees those as negatives. From Big Foot (in all it’s incarnations) to Grave Digger, these giant 4 x 4 beasts travel the country performing stunts and entertaining thousands. People have gone to extreme lengths to have their very own lifted truck or raised automobile. We’ll take a look at some classic car crushers and preview new champions as we bring you America’s Next Monster Truck Star!
Monster Truck Classics
Big Foot – What Monster Trucks Are Made Of
A construction worker named Chandler gave birth to the most world renowned Monster Truck in 1975, using his family’s 1974 Ford F-250 chassis. Chandler had used the truck for off-road event on weekends and would find that automotive shops in the Midwest generally did not carry parts he needed to repair his frequently-worked over 4×4. How would you solve this problem? Chandler, his wife, and friend Jim Kramer opened their own parts shop called Midwest Four Wheel Drive and Performance Center in Hazelwood, Missouri. This remains Bigfoot’s headquarters to this day. The truck was originally used as a mobile billboard for the shop, until he started entering the truck in competitions. Soon, Bigfoot became a name onto itself – having everything from toys to cartoons based off it. Bigfoot has gone through many incarnations since the 1970′s and has traveled all over the world, but will always remain a Firestone sponsored Ford.
Grave Digger – Every Car’s Nightmare
Grave Digger is another old school monster truck many of us remember from childhood. The first truck was a red 1952 Ford Pickup Truck, then later converted to a silver and blue 1951 Ford Panel Truck. Grave Digger received it’s legendary name when it’s creator trash talked his fellow racers, saying the now famous line, “I’ll take this old junk and dig you a grave with it” – meaning he’d wipe the floor with those new trucks using his old ’51 Ford. But Grave was infamous even before making the jump to Monster Jams. At a small show years ago a scheduled monster truck never made its appearance. Digger’s driver, who at the time only had tractor tires on his rig, offered to crush the cars in the other truck’s absence. Grave Digger was an instant success as a car crusher and from that point on grew to be one of the top money makers in motor sport.
Carolina Crusher
Originally constructed in 1985 in Wadesboro NC, Carolina Crusher is one a truck that we all remember from our childhood. In fact, some of us at Automopedia fell in love with the sport thanks to the antics of the Crusher. The vehicle brought current Grave Digger driver Gary Porter into the spotlight, and made a name for itself in the Monster Truck Madness video game. Caroline Crusher currently runs as a 2004 Chevrolet Pickup with a 572 ci Chevy engine. Crusher is now used primarily as a promotional tool for Paul Shafer Motorsports, making it a truly classic DIY monster truck.
New Trucks On The Block
Superman
Even the Man of Steel has a Monster Truck dedicated to his likeness. Originally from Atlanta, GA and first raced in 2005, Superman is now a 2006 Ford F-150 with custom cape – it may not flow in the breeze, but it sure has the strength of a hundred men when it comes to smashing cars. Driver Chad Fortune not only has one of the best names is motor sport, but also commands Superman with its 1465 horse power engine into battle.
Arachnaphobia
Arach’ has only been around the Monster Jam rinks since 2003, but has quickly become one of the most sought after trucks in her league. It’s not surprising, since she was built by the team who worked on other legends such as Grave Digger, Bear Foot and Dragon Slayer. Arachnaphobia turned out better than any of us thought. Since the Spring of 2003 Arachnaphobia has been running hard and making her mark on spectators.
Natural High
Natural High’s name isn’t a drug reference, but more geared towards the high flying jumps and wheelies this truck loves to produce. Motor sport fans Kelvin and Jan came up with the idea of having their own monster truck back in the mid 1980′s. This obsession grew past having kids and careers of their own. They eventually figured out how to get a Chevy SSR body and former engineering student Kelvin (with the help of his wife, friends and sponsors) would put together one of today’s favorite mashers – Natural High – in dedication of their children.
Thrasher
Starting in the summer of 2007, Toyota of Wallingford sponsored the Thrasher Monster Truck. According to the dealership: With the popularity of the Toyota Tundra continue to grow in the U.S., it was a perfect partnership between two growing organizations. Thrasher is a 2007 Toyota Tundra, containing a 510ci engine capable of producing 1400 horse power. Thrasher measures 10 feet 6 inches tall, with an overall length of 17 feet.This equals out to a weight of 10,400 lbs! Thrasher, like it’s many monster truck counter parts, means serious business.
Grave Digger is my all time favorite. I wonder how hard it is to drive these 4 axle trucks?
grave digger rocked the house staurday at the dow event center