San Diego Automotive Museum 4x4 Show

cazalea · 2017-10-12T21:56:24Z

Explore the San Diego Automotive Museum's 4x4 show with custom Jeeps, Broncos, and dune buggies. See extreme modifications and hear owner stories.

cazalea

WPS member · Automotive forum

7 replies3102 views46 photos

Cazalea takes readers on an exhilarating tour of 'The Best 4x4 Show By Far' at the San Diego Automotive Museum. This post captures the essence of off-road culture, showcasing highly customized vehicles and the passionate owners behind them. It offers a glimpse into the world of extreme automotive modification, from diesel engine transplants to massive tire installations.

I was lucky enough to be invited to a special preview at the San Diego Automotive Museum. The last time we were here, it was the Japanese Iron Show in June. Now we are back for a 4x4 car show. Representing the WatchProSite team can be a real pleasure at times, and this was one of those times -- with lots of vehicles, most of the owners present to share how and why they did it, and unlimited beer, ribs, BBQ chicken and apple pie.

I will present the interesting NON-4x4 in a separate post, so let's get right to the "dirt every day" action. Do you like cars that can get dirty and still be fun to drive?

Have you ever wanted to do a diesel engine transplant, and shove huge axles under your grandma's car?

Or put 35" tires into stock fender wells?

Sadly Fred was unable to make the event. But it was nice of him to send his car for a few months to show what can be done with a little money and even less restraint.

Time to just sip a beer and stare wide-eyed at guys who have gone crazy.

If this really isn't YOUR thing, hang on for just a few photos more.

Are you a dune buggy type? Thomas Crown Affair lover? Want to talk with Bruce Meyers, creator of the Meyer's Manx and big buggy honcho?

He will be here at the San Diego Auto Museum on Oct 22. Come on down and meet him.

This buggy is in the hands of the original family - the builder drove it one season, then had a late night light failure which resulted in him colliding with a bull. The bull died in the middle of his windshield, and was too heavy for the driver to get off his car. So they had a long, slow, bloody drive to the next checkpoint. The guy rebuilt his buggy and renamed it Bull Fighter.

Bull Fighter's granddaughter is the lady in blue and white next to a very clean Bronco. No lie! Keep your eyes open...

Watch for her!

Red White and Blue Jeep meets Ford Bronco. This 74 Bronco is absolutely kick-butt perfect and beautiful

This lady got her colors right to match the Bronco. yes, Bull Fighter was her granddad.

I was able to get some shots from the mezzanine level

Maybe Trophy Trucks are your thing? Serious off-roading across the California, Nevada and Baja, Mexico deserts. Perhaps they seem like funny vehicles with floppy fiberglass or plastic bodies - not real trucks at all.

Let me tell you - a look under the skin will show off some magnificent construction details!

This truck was astonishing. And as a bonus, the guys in the red t-shirts are the race crew and support team for this vehicle.

Do you prefer Rock Crawling? Utah? The Rubicon?

Or maybe you prefer just heavy duty off roading from the two kings of the business - Land Rover and Hummer.

This Defender is owned by a guy whose been to every continent; he even sank into a lake in Siberia while on an excursion, climbed out and got another Defender to finish the trip.

The Hummer is a fully prepped SWAT HQ vehicle with satellite radio and fax machine (state of the art, in the day ...)

Here's an International Travelall - the Suburban competition of its day

If you are a Dodge Power Wagon fan, this one's for you

The flames were just for fun, says the owner.

Chevrolet's early K5 Blazer

Key Points from the Discussion

The author provides details on a specific vehicle, a '71 Plymouth, noting its stock 2-barrel 318" engine with automatic transmission, rated at 170 bhp, and humorously pointing out 'factory drainage holes' in the floor.
A contributor expresses hope that a specific car, likely a Plymouth Road Runner, wasn't a valuable 440 model, lamenting the potential loss of a legend to such extensive modification.
Further discussion clarifies that if the modified Plymouth was a 440 4-speed with its original drivetrain, it would have been worth restoring, suggesting a preference for preservation over extreme customization for certain classic models.
The discussion also touches on the engine block's casting, noting that a '71 Plymouth would have thick cylinder walls, making it good for overboring, but later clarifying that '72 was the first year for thin-wall castings, which are less desirable for rebuilds.
A humorous observation is made about the impracticality of white seats in a monster car designed for dirty off-road adventures, despite the inclusion of protective glasses.

The Discussion

Alkiro1

Oct 12, 2017

They also thought about the protection glasses against the dust when you drive it. But put white seats is probably a bad idea regarding where this monster car should go 😊 Best wishes Alkiro

Dr No

Oct 22, 2017

. . . for a total restoration. Sure hope it wasn't a 440 . . . it would be sad to lose a legend like that to a blow torch. Art

Dr No

Oct 22, 2017

. . . is available for B-bodies. If it was a 440 4-speed, then it probably would've been worth restoring, unless the original drive train was gone. Art

cazalea

Oct 22, 2017

It's the stock 2 bbl 318" with automatic, rated 170 bhp "factory drainage holes" They did say during the show "Some Road Runner fan is going to hunt us down for doing this" and then later as they were dismantling the car, they showed all the trim, the back window, removed bits sitting outside the shop in El Cajon and said "Come and get it if you want it!" So that seems fair enough. It looks like something I'd really like to drive. Mike

Dr No

Oct 22, 2017

. . . I'll take it! Assuming that's a '71 Plymouth, then it's a casting with thick cylinder walls - good for more than an 0.030 overbore.

Dr No

Oct 23, 2017

. . . the first year for thin-wall castings. Not especially desirable as a core for a rebuild, then.

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