Team THOTC Dodge Dart and the 2012 BABE Road Rally (June 11, 2012 update)
Team THOTC had some challenges this year as they tried to get a car lined up for the 2012 BABE Rally. The rules set a price limit of $500, but the cars must run 1,500 miles on highways, byways, hills, and curves.
The team had hoped to run a 1964 Dodge Dart 270 rescued from a field; the car was straight and mostly rust-free, but had no fuses, a poorly patched gas tank, a throttle linkage made of baling wire, the wrong carb, an incorrect alternator not connected to anything anyway, and an unbolted Chevy front seat sitting on the floor. The windshield was cracked and the brakes did not work. Then the transmission gave up multiple seals, the axle locked up, and the gas tank leaks resumed.
Paul Chambers, the miracle mechanic who saved the Valiant's rear-end last year, found and helped to bring back to life a 1969 Dodge Dart Custom (slant 6) that had sat behind a barn in Georgia for nearly 15 years. Even in that condition, it cost $300 to rescue "Dodge of the Dead;" after an overhaul of the fuel, ignition, and brake systems, with the help of honorary Third Horseman Paul Chambers, and a snazzy Zombie-themed decorating job, the car was almost ready to roll!
The THOTC run is being done for charity, for the American Diabetes Association and March of Dimes.
Matt related:
The problem solved, there was now a new issue. Crash took a long detour to New York (from Georgia), as he swung by Team Foolswagen to be their chase-and-support car. The Foolswagen entry had only just started running for the first time in years a few hours before the trip, and broke down six times on its way to New York, delaying Crash but not preventing him from delivering the "Dodge of the Dead" on time for the rally's start. On the way down, they will be providing similar assistance to the Foolswagen team, feeding the hamster that runs its little 1.5 liter engine.
On Day Two, THOTC ended up on the side of the road for the first time since the start of the Rally. The Dodge lost a wheel brake cylinder bolt and some highly desirable braking performance along with it. Team Foolswagen repaid THOTC's help by acting as a parts runner, and thanks to Paul Chambers' help on the phone and the actions of helpful strangers, the team is now back on the road.
In the end, Team THOTC came close to winning, and in fact came in second place to their friends at Team Foolswagen.
More!
Paul Chambers, whose independent shop is a mere 30 miles from Atlanta, maintains and preserves both current and classic Mopars. (That's Paul's personal, fully-restored Superbee in the photo above.) Paul's shop in Covington, Georgia is THOTC-recommended, Val-approved and can be reached at (678) 789-6749. THOTC recognized his contribution by naming him an honorary sponsor of the team for the 2011 BABE Rally.
BABE - "Big Apple to Big Easy" - was a road rally where participants buy a $500 car, make it safe and legal, and travel 1,500 miles from Staten Island to New Orleans. Along the way, teams participate in challenges that are worth points - none are given for speed, and safety is key. If a team's car breaks down, they can retire from the rally, or dispose of the car and hitch-hike with other teams to the end. The first prize was $1500; second place won $350; third place won $150. Team THOTC's pledge page.
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Team THOTC had some challenges this year as they tried to get a car lined up for the 2012 BABE Rally. The rules set a price limit of $500, but the cars must run 1,500 miles on highways, byways, hills, and curves.
The team had hoped to run a 1964 Dodge Dart 270 rescued from a field; the car was straight and mostly rust-free, but had no fuses, a poorly patched gas tank, a throttle linkage made of baling wire, the wrong carb, an incorrect alternator not connected to anything anyway, and an unbolted Chevy front seat sitting on the floor. The windshield was cracked and the brakes did not work. Then the transmission gave up multiple seals, the axle locked up, and the gas tank leaks resumed.
Paul Chambers, the miracle mechanic who saved the Valiant's rear-end last year, found and helped to bring back to life a 1969 Dodge Dart Custom (slant 6) that had sat behind a barn in Georgia for nearly 15 years. Even in that condition, it cost $300 to rescue "Dodge of the Dead;" after an overhaul of the fuel, ignition, and brake systems, with the help of honorary Third Horseman Paul Chambers, and a snazzy Zombie-themed decorating job, the car was almost ready to roll!
The THOTC run is being done for charity, for the American Diabetes Association and March of Dimes.
Matt related:
The problem solved, there was now a new issue. Crash took a long detour to New York (from Georgia), as he swung by Team Foolswagen to be their chase-and-support car. The Foolswagen entry had only just started running for the first time in years a few hours before the trip, and broke down six times on its way to New York, delaying Crash but not preventing him from delivering the "Dodge of the Dead" on time for the rally's start. On the way down, they will be providing similar assistance to the Foolswagen team, feeding the hamster that runs its little 1.5 liter engine.
On Day Two, THOTC ended up on the side of the road for the first time since the start of the Rally. The Dodge lost a wheel brake cylinder bolt and some highly desirable braking performance along with it. Team Foolswagen repaid THOTC's help by acting as a parts runner, and thanks to Paul Chambers' help on the phone and the actions of helpful strangers, the team is now back on the road.
In the end, Team THOTC came close to winning, and in fact came in second place to their friends at Team Foolswagen.
More!
- Mopars of the 2012 BABE Rally
- Woodbridge Patch article on Team THOTC
- At the 2012 North Georgia Mopar Club show
- Team THOTC's web site
- Team THOTC 2011
Paul Chambers, whose independent shop is a mere 30 miles from Atlanta, maintains and preserves both current and classic Mopars. (That's Paul's personal, fully-restored Superbee in the photo above.) Paul's shop in Covington, Georgia is THOTC-recommended, Val-approved and can be reached at (678) 789-6749. THOTC recognized his contribution by naming him an honorary sponsor of the team for the 2011 BABE Rally.
BABE - "Big Apple to Big Easy" - was a road rally where participants buy a $500 car, make it safe and legal, and travel 1,500 miles from Staten Island to New Orleans. Along the way, teams participate in challenges that are worth points - none are given for speed, and safety is key. If a team's car breaks down, they can retire from the rally, or dispose of the car and hitch-hike with other teams to the end. The first prize was $1500; second place won $350; third place won $150. Team THOTC's pledge page.
Home •
Engines •
Reviews •
Chrysler 1904-2018 •
Upcoming •
Trucks •
Cars
Spread the word via <!--Tweet or--> Facebook!
We make no guarantees regarding validity or accuracy of information, predictions, or advice - .
Copyright © VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, and Mopar are trademarks of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.