I got a 1st gen in the 2010 Calendar!!

[Ncostello]

I was able to get my local dealerships 1991 Indy 500 Official Tow Truck in the 2010 Calendar for April!! I was hoping this nice original and still "in-service" 1st Gen would make it.



They've owned it since it was released from official track duties at the 1991 Indianapolis 500 and still use it as their only tow truck. The dealership owner had connections to the track officials, yet had to also purchase 5 other track vehicles to get this as part of a deal. Those included a Viper Pace Car, a Stealth Pace Car (which was dropped at the last minute for the Viper prototype) and some Dakota official track pickup trucks.



This old girl still purrs and tows in the Fords and Chevys all day long!! And some other Dodges on occasion.



Its the only 1st gen represented in the full month pages. Long live the 1st gens!!

 

[Ncostello]

This photo was taken along the banks of the Wabash River in Indiana.

 

[DGamelin]

That's cool, NICE truck. I just came in and it was on my desk. I didn't know you could put picture in that had a bis name or towing something. I take pictures of every load I have hauled with my 93 and 04. 5. I will have to try to send some for the next one.



________________________

93 250 2wd xc 354 auto 266k

04. 5 3500 4wd cc dully 373 6speed 9ok

 

[Ncostello]

I was wanting to take it to the Motor Speedway and get a shot in Gasoline Alley... but the logistics was time prohibitive and I'm sure there would have been some legal hoops to jump through. This shot is along the Wabash River... the same river Jim Nabors sings of in "Back Home Again in Indiana" before the start of each race. It was the best I could do given the time I had.



While it is business owned... its special. Its a rare truck. And the Dodge Chrysler Jeep dealership doesn't have their name all over it. Most all the decals are official track lettering etc. For some reason they used red letters on red for the front fender "Official Truck" and date wording. There is also a large "Turbo Diesel" decal on the hood and a "Cummins" logo across the roof. But they too are in red. They don't stand out well. But the gray stripes, Dodge lettering and Indy logo are all special and put on there the Indy folks. Its a documented real deal.



The low profile boom is by No-Mar and the Spectre bed is unique. Its long and the boom extends pretty far out so it is able to pick up an Indy car from the lift hook just behind the driver position. It has picked up several Indy cars in its time. In fact the dealership had some Indy cars on display there once and this thing picked them right up off the trailer.



Other than that it has served faithfully and continues to do so. Its garaged every night and washed often. I thought it deserved a little recognition. You don't see these kind of Dodge Cummins trucks everyday.

 

[Ncostello]

Just a couple more... then I'll quit. I'm hoping if they ever sell this thing I can get first chance!!

 

[Greenleaf]

Vaughn MacKenzie drove out from Washington State to autograph mine when his truck appeared. Will you drive over to Ashalnd Ohio to sign this one?



And you didn't appear at the Worlds Fair of First Gen events held in Peru?

 

[RSchwarzli]

Are the calenders out yet??



Too cool on the truck! Very nice collection they got from the indy 500. If they still owned that Viper it would be worth something. Was one of the hand built prototypes that was rushed through to get it ready in time for the race (if my memory serves).

 

[Ncostello]

Yes... the Viper was not supposed to be the Pace Car in 1991. But the Steath caused such an uproar about it being a Japanese car they had to do something.



A local physician bought their Pace Car Viper. I remember it sitting in their showroom. It was such a radical car at the time. It had the little ragtop and vinyl plastic fold down windows... and those weird looking three spoke wheels.

 

[RSchwarzli]

I answered my own question... . calendar arrived yesterday!