The Runamucka The Runamucka Story The Runamucka started out to be another HotRod with a military theme and evolved into what you see today. It started with two guys “who are pilots” having a bench racing session. The idea centered on building a low dollar car that looked like a war bird. One of the guys was Lonnie Gilbertson the thought of this car kept running through his head until he decided to build it. First thing was to find a motor it had to look like an airplane motor, yet be street friendly, a V-12 Jaguar was chosen. Next a 42 Ford pickup cab was picked for the main body. With some borrowed wheels and tires it was mocked up to see how it would fit together. At this point it was decided to build it to look like a Curtiss P-40 Flying Tiger airplane. Lonnie built a custom frame out of 2 X 4 tubing. A model “A” cross member was used at the back, with a custom built rear spring attached to a 9” Ford rear end held in place with 1936 Ford wish bones. The rear suspension was completed. Up front an early Ford type spring mounted to a 4” dropped “I” beam axle was used along with 1948 Ford backing plates and wish bones with some custom machine work. Buick finned aluminum brake drums were used front and back to give it an aircraft feel. Lonnie chose to use a 1932 grille shell up front, a 1950 Studebaker bullet nose was used for the prop hub and molded into the duce grille shell. The steering wheel is from a 60 Plymouth. The Airplane feel was starting to come to reality. The top was chopped 4” and a custom hood was fabricated to complete the body. The reason for the V-12 is evident when you see 6 custom built exhaust pipes sticking out both sides of the hood. About this time it changed from a HotRod to a Tribute to the AVG (American Volunteer Group) and to all Military personal who serve this Country. Six jeep cans at the back hide the 20 gallon stainless gas tank. Aluminum bomber seats were used with the upholstery material coming from a surplus Army tent. Finished body work and camouflage paint was applied by Duane Olofson. The fantastic art work that makes everything work was applied by Mitch Kim. This car is dedicated to all Military Personal who have served and are serving this Country. ALL GIVE SOME – SOME GIVE ALL. If you like what you read please go to "YOU TUBE" and watch the videos I have uploaded of the RUNAMUCKA, There are (6) total, I will post the links below. If you like what you see, please tell your friends, as our only goal is to put a smile on your face and to have fun with our HotRods. Dean RUNAMUCKA - The Ballad Of The "RUNAMUCKA" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1ov4n7NxK0 The first starting of the engine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r9K8IWzEgE The Second start up of the engine ends in disaster!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pte0-DpReNw Out for a night flight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeR7aKnLw0o A short high speed taxi test at the Aurora Airport, Aurora, Oregon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4pUQcNPC7E Formation flight with the RUNAMUCKA returning from a Cruise-in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GW25Ar9Q1Q PHOTOS CAN BEE SEEN AT THIS WEB LINK: http://www.lonniesplace.com/photogallery/
In my opinion, trying to pull of a "theme" car is a very difficult persuit. So many are either over done or not done enough and end up a mockery. You have done a GREAT job in capturing not only the look, but the performance of those amazing aircraft. I salute you and the brave airmen who sacrificed themselves for our freedom. Thank you for the story and the videos.
If you like what you see, please tell your friends, as our only goal is to put a smile on your face and to have fun with our HotRods. Dean RUNAMUCKA - The Ballad Of The "RUNAMUCKA" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1ov4n7NxK0 The first starting of the engine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r9K8IWzEgE The Second start up of the engine ends in disaster!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pte0-DpReNw Out for a night flight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeR7aKnLw0o A short high speed taxi test at the Aurora Airport, Aurora, Oregon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4pUQcNPC7E Formation flight with the RUNAMUCKA returning from a Cruise-in: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GW25Ar9Q1Q PHOTOS CAN BEE SEEN AT THIS WEB LINK: http://www.lonniesplace.com/photogallery/[/quote]
You need to record a video of a full throttle p*** through the gears and post it up. That thing sounds wicked cool! I think it would look nice with a shortened bed on it instead of the gerry cans. You also might want to edit out the "ratrod" tag-it's kinda taboo around here.
Saw this car at Good Guys in Tacoma, WA this year. It drew an impressive crowd. I like thats its different! Its not easy anymore.
I am working on a new video just like this, the editing is a long process. But hope to have it done in a few.
I'm glad you liked it, although it is not mine, (I can't afford these hotrods, so I got into aviation instead), but I helped Lonnie build the car and he stores it out in my hanger during the winter months here in Oregon. Our main intent was to Honor our Military Men and Women, without them we all would not be able to do what we are all doing today back here. That is why this dedication is on the rear of this car! I am enclosing a photo of my plane, just for FYI.
that makes me laugh. isn't it supposed to be I could not afford airplanes so I got into hotrods instead.. always thought airplanes were more expensive your thoughts of honoring those that serve(d) is honorable..
I cant afford them either! I get by though, haha. I was stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA when i saw the car. Its nice to know some people actually give a **** sometimes. Dont sell yourself short, Its not always about who has the ***le, but more about who built it(or helped). So did you guys really shoot all those jap cars down, or were the badges for show?
Well Sir, I salute you for your Service, I am glad you like the car, the reason I placed it on here is because when it sits in my hanger, no-one gets to see it, if it puts a smile on someone's face, then it was well worth it! I'll post a shot of my hanger, as you can see, I hold you all in great respect, and thank you again! PS:...You have to have 5 to be an ACE! PPS: my current project is a 1961 Econoline 3 window pickup Dean
You know what, when ever I am going to expand out of my 2 car garage to a real shop, I think I am going to build a hanger instead, that thing is awesome. I think I have an econoline on my hot rod bucket-list. Looks like a blast man. You didnt have to dedicate a whole car to me, Id settle for a beer.
Your comment means a lot to Lonnie and I, we have had a lot of retired service men come look at the car and have also thanked us for our support. Our greatest moment in this car's history was when the "Ken Jernstedt" family invited us to bring this car to Ken's 90th birthday party in Hood River, Oregon. (Ken Jernstedt was the first pilot from Oregon to be named an ace—by downing at least five enemy aircraft) Ken Jernstedt, Flying Tigers
this is incredible, when you were doing the "taxi" at the airport, I could almost swear I was looking out an aircraft windshield, I kept looking for the prop. And the SOUND it's dead on.
My hat is off for your dedication to military personnel, but I don't think I will ever understand theme cars.
Ever eat at "Dairy Queen"? Their motto is.... "Have "something Different"! Somethimes you just have to do what you have to do, stick to the plan, kick all the "Leroy's" out of the shop, (Leroy's = You shoulda, I woulda) done it differently, and build away, after all how many ways can you build a 32 highboy, been there done that, (Hmmmmmm, a 32 Ford with a Chevy engine, how rare)! If you ever get up this way we'll give you a tour of Hanger(toybox) aircraft, and cars.
watch the video of where they are hauling *** down the freeway,what more is there to understand? hell listen to it, what more can I say.
I've seen the video and I appreciate the offer. (of a tour) But this is a message board focused on traditional hot rods where the Deuce highboy and its ilk reign supreme. So "different" simply doesn't sell it.
what an awesome car. The theme tops it off for me. The Flying Tigers were the best in thier time; which came from them many if not all hero's in my eyes. =Salute=
um how much more hot rod and traditional can you get. and different doesn't sell? I thought the entire point of a hot rod was to build something different and unique? I mean this has 12 cylinders and it looks and sounds like an airplane going down the road. It was all hand built. I mean watch this video again of it hauling *** down the road, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GW25Ar9Q1Q how much more traditional do you want? this could have been built in the late 40's or 50's out of spare airplane parts for crying out loud. If this isn't a hot rod,I have webbed feet and duck feathers growing on my ***. Not trying to start a fight here,don't want to mess up a great thread, but come on now. lets just enjoy a great rod and a great tribute.
There are two types in the world... Leaders and followers, sometimes you just have to be a leader and not be a follower, If there were not leaders we would al be driving horse and buggy like the Amish, Like NIKE says: "JUST DO IT" ....We did it!
you sir are a leader,and I don't know how much more traditional you could get.Roth would have loved this car, you need to take a good picture and get someone to draw a rat fink in it for you. If you ever cross the country in it let me know,I would love to see this up close.
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