Project "Big Air"
 

So, we got a little bored on a Saturday and decided to.. um... modify one of our guy's winter beaters... an '89 Grand Marquis Wagon

Started with installing a 78 Monte Carlo glass cowl hood center section....

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...icture7233.jpg

Along with a spare GTO "Judge" Stripe Kit...

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...icture7237.jpg

We decided there needed to be additional downforce in the rear, so a custom aluminum rear spoiler was installed.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...icture7236.jpg

Still lacking front downforce and aerodynamics, a 98 Camaro front bumper was added.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...icture7231.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...icture7232.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...icture7235.jpg

you need to make the right rear taillight match the euro-clear one on the left. Other than that it sa-weeeeeeeeeet !

:thumbsup:

And then it was time to test.....

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...Picture219.jpg

Ahh Russ, the ole family truckster.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...Picture220.jpg

Steady as she goes!

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...Picture221.jpg

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...Picture222.jpg

Pretty large debris field at the point of impact, which measured out at 21 ft from the top of the snow bank.
http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...Picture223.jpg

There was minimal suspension deflection through the over-extended range of motion, however, there was substantial frame deflection that may result in bumpsteer and cooling fan to radiator clearance issues.

The gain in front aero was negated by ground clearance issues on the approach angle of the ramp. As you can tell from the picture below, that issue took care of itself.
http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...Picture226.jpg

Another test jump landing. Videos will be up shortly.

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/s...Picture230.jpg

Wow
 

RS

GUYS THANK FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT..action shots and play by play..:rofl:

Kind of a nice break from working on cars that have to be perfect huh?

ILL AWARD you best snow bank jump in a grand marquis- judge-camaro-monte $hit box wagon..:lol:

Tom

Is your last name Griswald by any chance?:lol:

Can't wait for the video :lol: Most of us only dream of doing stupid shat like that :thumbsup:

That's some funny sh_t right there man. Thanks for the laughs! Can't wait to see the video. :thumbsup:

:lol: :thumbsup:

Thats AWESOME!!! Now thats having fun :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Those wagons are tanks, we had some much fun as kids doing everything you shouldn't do with Dads wagon. Brings back great memories of destruction.

Thanks for the entertainment-Rich

:wow: :wow: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

best post ever:lateral:
i distinctly ordered the antarctic blue super sports wagon!!

lolllllllllllll......
That's some funny stuff.:rofl:

In the UNIVERSE !!!!

:thumbsup:

that is absolutely freakin awesome. I need to do that. We just got 24" of snow. :hail: :hail: :hail:

That is the funniest thing I've seen all month - maybe longer! Thanks for the gut chuckles!

This thread Delivers!

Cant wait for the video.

Made my Day
 

This had me laughing my ass off. Made my day. I can't wait to see the vids!

I thought maybe after winning SMOY you guys were going for LYOY

Land Yacht of the Year!

You have to have a Dixie Horn on that thing for the jumps. How about pause the vid right before the jump for some Waylon Jennings narration.

That's Awesome!! :woot:

Reminds me of my teenage years jumping railroad tracks back home in NJ (yes there are RR tracks in NJ) with a very old and rusty F250 extended cab P/U. I think we got almost the same amount of air as the wagon, but the landing was much harder. We (5 of us in the cab) found out after our 3rd jump that only 1 cab mount was attached. Gravity is a wonderfull thing. AHHHHHH........Good Times!!:thumbsup:

Can't wait to see the video!!!

Dude---:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Things a bit slow at the shop guys or what?

That's the funniest thing yet---the ole family truckster "You think you hate it now, but wait till you drive it". You guys should spray paint "Honky Lips" on the side of it to make it period correct to the movie.

Doug

Halftime?
 

Hopefully videos get posted before halftime tonight. :unibrow: I have a feeling they'd be more entertaining than the usual crap!

Thanks for a good laugh! :thumbsup:

Here is the first jump..going slow to test it out. (We didn't really think that he would go through with this jump!)

Here is the second one that was much bigger! (It does not start until 15 seconds into the video)

lmao:lol:

You should have left the front ground effects on it for the jump. It may have helped to keep the nose down during flight... thus giving the 'craft' a more level landing.:_paranoid

We were trying to find a christmas tree to strap to the roof to complete the look, but everyone had thrown them out already!

We used drywall screws to hold the parts on this car instead of the stainless ones we normally use! :lol:

I'ld strongly suggest a helmet, neck brace, mouthguard, and a suspension seat. You to tend to compress your spine, black out, and see stars after landing the bigger jump. Just FYI :lol:

The wagon was only a suspension test vehicle for our real competitor. We were trying to keep it on the down low, but since the cat is out of the bag on this one... This is what we are working on for LYOY (Land Yacht of the Year), a powder blue 1978 Lincoln Continental. I think that it will dominate the autocross portion... as long as it rains the night before.

For those of you not familiar with the LYOY award: This is a new class open to 1975-1979 american built 2 door cars totaling over 25 ft in length, 75% of that total length must be in the front fender alone. The judging will be based on:

• Length of vehicle (and front fender)
• Overall lack of style
• Excessively "plush" overstuffed interior
• The unnecessary use of non car related luxury items. For example, this car has a Cartier clock and gauges
• 70 year old man appeal
• And the number of dead bodies that can be fit in the trunk

[/LIST]

I was thinking of trying it in this! It has all that.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r...g/DSC03597.jpg

I would have to do alot of digging to get it out though, then take it to a parking lot. I think I'll stay in and watch your videos. Great Stuff!

RS --

I was wondering if you guys were wearing any "safety" gear when you did that?? That's a pretty good "wreck" and eating the steering wheel would not be so funny.

I used to warn my kids -- "it's a lot of fun... right up until the point you get hurt"....

BTW -- I always wanted one of those Lincolns... but waited until they came out with the Lincoln LSC... My wife hated that car! LOL

That was great.:rofl: How was the driver feeling the next day?????????

You guys really should be careful. I didn't notice any fire rescue or ambulance in the background of the video or pictures. You should really have them on board, in case anything would go wrong and IT CAN. Please be careful!!! I would also notify your insurance company to see if you would be covered for a high speed accident in your parking lot or if it would be covered under the drivers insurance. Do you know if the driver had full coverage on that automobile, it looked to be a nice car and I would hate to see it not get repaired. Maybe it would just be best to stay in the shop and get our chassis done!!!!!

Don't worry, all 3 guys involved in the jump were clocked in on your chassis. I don't want to hear any crying about the price. Everyone got some good laughs on your dime! :thumbsup:

Good response!!

:rofl:

Holy Christ!!! National lampoons dosen't have **** on that. Nice air time with that thing. I still can believe how the bottoms of the quarters are gone, I am a west coaster.

Enjoy your nice car preserving weather out West. There are many vehicles cruisin' around the rust belt that you can damn near crawl in and out of the rust holes in the sides! Gotta love the road salt!!!!

Who let my Mom on this site?:lol:

Hey, your mom got you this far!!!!! I really don't care that it was on my dime, Just as long as they all are ok. It so hard to find good help these days. :thumbsup: