Step into my Way-Back Machine...
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From: The STL
Step into my Way-Back Machine...
I don't know how much cross-threading you guys (and gals) do between different sections on this forum, so I apologize if you already read my spiel, but basically I work/drive for Bigfoot 4x4 Inc. and I'm a life-long Ford guy, with a few of my own. I'm working on starting a thread in a few of the applicable categories to share some of the cool and rare photos/stories I've compiled over the years of the iconic Bigfoot fleet of monster trucks.
I think a lot of people tend to think that BIGFOOT #1, The Original Monster Truck, sort of just became a big truck overnight. Honestly, that's not the case. If you want to actually get the whole story (so you can impress your friends during trivia night, perhaps), then check out the article I wrote about #1, at The History of BIGFOOT #1 - BIGFOOT® 4x4, Inc. - The Original Monster Truck®. That being said, the following is a series of rare photographs that helps illustrate the little-known fact that #1 really did begin life as a weekday work truck/weekend play truck. Very humble beginnings for what arguably may be the single most famous pickup truck in history.
I think a lot of people tend to think that BIGFOOT #1, The Original Monster Truck, sort of just became a big truck overnight. Honestly, that's not the case. If you want to actually get the whole story (so you can impress your friends during trivia night, perhaps), then check out the article I wrote about #1, at The History of BIGFOOT #1 - BIGFOOT® 4x4, Inc. - The Original Monster Truck®. That being said, the following is a series of rare photographs that helps illustrate the little-known fact that #1 really did begin life as a weekday work truck/weekend play truck. Very humble beginnings for what arguably may be the single most famous pickup truck in history.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Cool thanks for the history lesson update and pics, I have a few old pics of Big foot with the duels on the pull track. And I believe the truck on the trailer was a sled puller too?
Being from Missouri myself and a life long Ford guy, I remember growing in that era and always wanting a truck that big. I am good with what I got these days, kinda looks like I truck I know.....
Being from Missouri myself and a life long Ford guy, I remember growing in that era and always wanting a truck that big. I am good with what I got these days, kinda looks like I truck I know.....
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2012
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Great stuff! Its awesome to see Mr. Chandler's "adaptive ingenuity" progress through the photos. How about a '73 to'79 throw back body stlye for one of the Bigfoots currently on the circuit? That would be badass!
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,186
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Its been done....here it is in Springfield Mo at the Off Road Jamboree a few years ago. Not to sure what # of BF it is.
But new monster truck technological running gear on the old school body style.
But new monster truck technological running gear on the old school body style.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 236
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Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,186
Likes: 5,792
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
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From: The STL
Yup, BIGFOOT #12 (our dedicated static display truck) and BIGFOOT #16 (a rear-engined race truck) both wore glass '79-ish Ford bodies in 2010 for Foot's 35th Anniversary. I got LMC to sponsor us with items like the grilles, tailgates, bumpers, mouldings, etc, because none of that was incorporated into the glass pieces.
After the 35th anniversary year ended, both retro bodies went into storage, mainly because the display truck was needed to cover many sponsor-specific gigs with other bodies, and the race truck body just wasn't holding up well to the stress of the shows. The weight of all the " real" body parts took its toll on the glass it was mounted into, even despite beefy body mounts we fabbed. The other logistical issue we had is, at the time, every other Foot truck used SD bodies, so in case of a crash or even bad body damage, we had no interchangeability with the SD bodies (both used drastically different mounts) and it was impractical to have a spare '79 ready because it was impossible to install the grille, mouldings, etc and make it look right unless the body was securely mounted to the chassis.
After the 35th anniversary year ended, both retro bodies went into storage, mainly because the display truck was needed to cover many sponsor-specific gigs with other bodies, and the race truck body just wasn't holding up well to the stress of the shows. The weight of all the " real" body parts took its toll on the glass it was mounted into, even despite beefy body mounts we fabbed. The other logistical issue we had is, at the time, every other Foot truck used SD bodies, so in case of a crash or even bad body damage, we had no interchangeability with the SD bodies (both used drastically different mounts) and it was impractical to have a spare '79 ready because it was impossible to install the grille, mouldings, etc and make it look right unless the body was securely mounted to the chassis.
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From: Georgia
I can't really tell, but is the side trim painted on?
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From: The STL
Once we realized the side trim/moldings wouldn't survive racing, we airbrushed it on. The display truck, #12, had real trim and moulding.
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From: MASS
I'm guessing your on the other side of the shop, but....
Whatever happened to that BF#1 replica build Midwest 4x4 was doing for a customer? They were all about showing lots of progress when it first got started, but then the updates fell off....
Whatever happened to that BF#1 replica build Midwest 4x4 was doing for a customer? They were all about showing lots of progress when it first got started, but then the updates fell off....
