By Jeff Glucker
The Gambler 500 is an off-road adventure that meets the 24 Hours of LeMons. There’s a dash of Mad Max thrown in. And the result is what looks like an amazing event and one hell of a good time. Right now, there’s an event planned for June of 2021. I hope they can make it happen and the world is in a good enough place to pull it off. Let’s pretend that’s the case and imagine what you might build/bring to the Gambler 500 in 2021.
I’m not familiar enough with the event to know some of the better platforms on which to build for this. I’d imagine old boxy, tough SUVs are probably the right place to start. But is that like when teams bring 3-Series BMWs or Miatas to LeMons? Is that cheating?
Regardless, you’re going to want something with a tough-as-hell engine that’s also easy to repair. Cheap, helps too. Maybe a first-generation Ford Explorer makes sense here. Anything Toyota is probably a good bet as well. From there, start hacking at the bodywork, beefing up the suspension, and making space for larger tires. That seems like the basic recipe to get you into the game. A winch and other extraction gear items are probably smart as well.
What would you build if you were going to run in the Gambler 500 this June?
Testing…
https://hooniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Fury-Road-tank.jpg
More testing…
Are we graded on a curve?
Of course you are graded on a curve…. we’re all car guys here…duh.
No, only on turn-in and apex.
Checking if it works
Well, the aesthetics of the twin engine, 6×6, ZIL E 167 would certainly be a fitting goal to run after. Off the shelf ZIL parts, too! Easy!
I’m not the first to have similar thoughts (Raphael Orlove of Jalopnik rallycrossed one), but old Lexus ES300’s are common enough, dirt cheap, and should be fairly sturdy. I assume Volvo 850/S70’s would be similar, but with flaky electronics. Still, either way, you’ll at least be a little more comfortable.
I’d probably go with an ’82 AMC Eagle SX/4 because I already have one. I also have a ’71 AMC V8 that I could drop down in it, and I figure with the right transmission and CJ parts, as well as some suspension mods, I could make a decent adventure car.
I was thinking a 4WD Eagle Talon with a lift kit
Hey all, just a note – for all the comment-issue fun I’m having, I am also now having post-creation issues back there too. It’s unrelated to the comment stuff.
Just a heads up for you as to why we haven’t spit out any other posts yet today. Not that we’re a deluge of content.
So for now, let’s party in this post if you feel like talking about anything…
Do the posting issues have anything to do with the thousands of spam articles that I… that is, that someone with temporary editorial access added to the queue on Friday? If so, I don’t know anything about that.
I reaffixed the bumpers to my racing SAAB 96, with front and rear trailer hitches attached so as better to accommodate a small electric winch or various other extraction methods, then made additional modifications with an eye towards entering the 2020 event, but, you know, 2020. Maybe this year.
At least this gives me more time to think about whether I want to re-route the exhaust to the roof, or more to the point whether I want this enough to actually do the work.
1973-1986 GM truck (even later for Blazer/Jimmy and Suburban). I have literally fixed these with trash from the side of the road. I do believe that they would give the Top Gear Toyota a run for the money. Or a Ford truck with the 4.9L I-6.
Are we limited to commenting as a guest? How are you guys posting comments with a personal icon next to them?
I don’t know if this is the only way to get the personal icon to appear, but in my case I have an old WordPress account, so if I use that name and associated email it seems to pick up on my identity. I don’t have to be logged into WordPress for this to work. Still no ability to edit comments, though.
Ah, gotcha. Thank you. I’ve never used WordPress, nor do I honestly even know what it is.
I know this is temporary, but it seems a very “anonymous” way to comment. I mean, couldn’t I identify myself as anything, including Jeff Glucker or mdharrell??
Maybe? I don’t know what happens with the “right” name but “wrong” email, although we’re all about to find out with this comment.
Either way, guessing an email address probably isn’t much of a challenge.
So it seems that the icon isn’t just a matter of using the correct name, although as far as that goes, icons can be copied.
WP also owns a site called Gravatar. Gravatar was supposed to be a universal avatar service where connected platforms would recognize your email address and supply the avatar you associated with it. I signed up for Gravatar when it was new several years ago.
And I evidently don’t know what I’m talking about.
Ok, maybe I do. My avatar didn’t show up at first.
(I used an old work email here and you get a different avatar)
You’re just as well off. I picked this chuck norris avatar in middle school and for the life of me I can’t delete it from everywhere.
Finally recovered my wordpress acount and changed the gravatar. We’ll see how long it takes for changes to appear.
Kind of bummed I never saw Caltemus Norris. 🤪
Caltemus Norris was spotted rushing the Capitol
Canoelongroof caltemus is way more fitting for the site though
Let’s see
Well, based on the post we saw last week, seems an old, rear wheel drive Skoda would be the correct answer.
Panther all the way baby, I’ve briefly thought of using my 05 Police Interceptor as the basis. Pretty easy to lift and get some decent sized tires on.
Oh, that is a rabbit hole I’ve been very tempted to go down, several times now. I don’t know why every time I see a Crown Vic or Grand Marquis, the gears start turning in my head. Off-roader Panthers are awesome!
And of course since they are somewhat popular as DONKs there are lift kits available.
A Gambler chassis.
https://worldofoutlaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/90235471_10220365659105376_4278173059044605952_n.jpg
I would think bearing wear would be a big issue with any car converted to tank treads.
Test, test. This is only a test. In the event of an actual comment I would have said something. Does WordPress recognize me?
Hah! By golly it worked! So, I went here:
https://wordpress.com/log-in
I used to have a WordPress account but only used it for one website. Anyhow, I put in the email associated with that WordPress account and they sent me an email; clicked on that and *BANG* I was in my WordPress account where it allowed me to change my ‘gravatar’ et al, and my password (it never even asked for an old one), and my public name.
So here we is, just like old times…. still can’t post pictures, but since I never could, it’s not like I’m missing anything.
Wouldn’t really need to build much, probably just shift the wheels and tires from one of my ratty 4x4s to one of my ratty cars with wheel adaptors and body mods by Sawzall. The Taurus Stercore has a nice ring to it.
Hello?
Trying some old bulletin board tags just to see what happens….
[img]https://img.cdandlp.com/2015/10/imgL/117717610.jpg[/img]
Last night I proposed finding a Lancia Scorpion, mocking it up as a Lancia 037 Rallye, and repowering it with a Buick 3800 since the Scorpion Lemons racer blew its engine several times.
I am experiencing withdrawal symptoms from my daily Hooniverse fix. Quick, show me some dysfunctional, dino juice sucking Soviet machinery, or a good minivan review!