U.S. Military Tribute - RUNAMUCKA - The Ballad Of The "RUNAMUCKA"

BE SURE TO WATCH ALL OF THE "RUNAMUCKA" VIDEOS ON YOU TUBE.............................

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

Written by: Timmer Blakely
Vocals: Timmer Blakely, Ed Neumann
Performed by: The Jim Mesi Band

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Military
• Tribute
• Here's
• to
• the
• Heroes
• luckylucie
• war
• iraq
• Jim
• Mesi
• v-12
• Jaguar
• Flying
• Tigers
• AVG
• auto
• hotrod
• rat
• rod
• airplane
• Curtiss
• P-40
• P40
• twin
• six
• car
• replica
• racer
• petrol
• v12
• curtiss
• Rockabilly
• Billetproof
• studebaker
• CAR
• RATROD
• BRITNEY
• BURNOUT
• CRASH
• PUPPY
• FUNNY
• Blown
• Rat
• Rod
• Burnout
• Revfest
• supercharged
• blower

[southernrockdrummer]

Retired USAAF CAPTAIN? He was a MGEN, not a CPT!

The gaffe in his rank aside, MGEN Chennault and the rest of the AVG were heroes in the finest tradition of the American Warrior.

[showboatsix]

@southernrockdrummer

The song is correct, you are not. Sorry

Chennault arrived in China on June 1937, after retiring from the United States Army Air Corps with the rank of captain.

The Flying Tigers were formally incorporated into the United States Army Air Forces in 1942. Prior to that, Chennault had rejoined the Army with the rank of colonel. He was later promoted to brigadier and then major general, commanding the Fourteenth Air Force.

[RamblinAround]

Very Cool!

[showboatsix]

@RamblinAround

Check out my latest video

click on my name and it should take you to all of my videos U.S. Military Tribute - RUNAMUCKA - The First Flight Of The "RUNAMUCKA"

[6obama6obama6]

let freedom ring

[dickandchristina]

Great ! God bless.

[Blogengezer]

One of the 'Flying Tigers' lived across the street from me in the late 1960's, ABQ NM. He had a TV repair business that kept motel sets working. He knew Chenault personally. Signed my copy of 'God is my Co-Pilot'. I lost it in a move.... He had a knock out good lookin' daughter. :>)

[endofworldpovertycor]

Team work and making an idea come true, I look up to you guys. Wow!!! Good job guys, this we can only make happen in a place called America. God bless us all...

[SHAKER2112]

Hey Dean... I enjoyed talking with you at the airport yesterday. This beast you guys built is definitely a great tribute to The American Spirit! Hope things went well with your Tractor today as well! Hope to see you again next time I make it over there.

[Willysmb44]

I saw this at the MVPA convention in Portland in 2008, and it was even more impressive in real life!

[berkelusa]

That's just freaking AWESOME.. I'm kinda doing the same sort of a Vehicle too.. Check it out.. -Rob in NH

[Stoplightcity]

One of my friends flew with the Flying Tigers and he never tires of talking about it. I think a few of his stories might even be true!