U.S. Military Tribute - RUNAMUCKA - The First Flight Of The "RUNAMUCKA"

The First Flight of The "Runamucka".

The Runamucka started out to be another Rat Rod 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 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 P-40 Flying Tiger. 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 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 Rat Rod 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.

BE SURE TO WATCH THE OTHER "RUNAMUCKA" VIDEOS

Pilot: LT. Lonnie "Gunfighter" Gilbertson
CoPilot: Dean "Showboat" Zinter
Video Mixer/Editor: Christian Boatsman

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[eldivinoandrea]

The front sucks..

[showboatsix]

@eldivinoandrea

I'll tell you what.... you build yours, park it next to ours and then we will compare the two to each other... oh what's that you say? "You don't have one" ... so STFU untill you do have one!

[RamblinAround]

Nice work on the vehicle and the video. That is one cool rod. I really like the aircraft style switches inside.