40 replies to this topic

[Pro Wrench]

I saw this car in person at the Street Machine Nationals when it first debuted. At the time I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. Rick Dobbertin was a super nice guy and went pretty much totally broke building it. He even hauled it to the Nats with a borrowed truck and trailer because he had sold his to finance the project. As over the top as it was, the car barely ran. It was built strictly as a fairgrounds trailer queen. I wonder what happened to it.

[dragcarz]

I always wanted to convert this kit to the Olds Firenza Pro Stock that Warren Johnson ran in the 80s

[bobthehobbyguy]

I saw this car in person at the Street Machine Nationals when it first debuted. At the time I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. Rick Dobbertin was a super nice guy and went pretty much totally broke building it. He even hauled it to the Nats with a borrowed truck and trailer because he had sold his to finance the project. As over the top as it was, the car barely ran. It was built strictly as a fairgrounds trailer queen. I wonder what happened to it.

did a google search and this is what I found. 

 

http://books.google.com/books?id=IcUrjhWp_DAC&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=RICK+DOBBERTIN%27S+PONTIAC+J-2000&source=bl&ots=cGe9fVcqmz&sig=Bb9V1GHpWD6mUMZrCnBYrfrafjY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1CE-Uaa1DMTz2QXNh4HoDw&ved=0CIgBEOgBMA0#v=onepage&q=RICK%20DOBBERTIN%27S%20PONTIAC%20J-2000&f=false

 

bobthehobbyguy

[kalbert]

did a google search and this is what I found. 

 

http://books.google.com/books?id=IcUrjhWp_DAC&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=RICK+DOBBERTIN%27S+PONTIAC+J-2000&source=bl&ots=cGe9fVcqmz&sig=Bb9V1GHpWD6mUMZrCnBYrfrafjY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1CE-Uaa1DMTz2QXNh4HoDw&ved=0CIgBEOgBMA0#v=onepage&q=RICK%20DOBBERTIN%27S%20PONTIAC%20J-2000&f=false

 

bobthehobbyguy

 

Kinda supports the notion to build one half under a tarp and half covered in bird poop and dust with some of the motor parts missing!

[george 53]

I had read that because it had NO rear suspension to speak of, it was impossible to ride in. It was too jarring an effect to go on longer rides in. So he just parked it.

Edited by george 53, 11 March 2013 - 08:50 AM.

[kalbert]

I had forgotten about some of his other things.... Some were pretty nutso, but I remember the Nova he did, it was amazing and pretty much changed the scene until pro street went berserker. Here's a little info right from the maker:

 

http://www.dobbertin...r.com/J2000.htm

[hvymtl]

Yeah digging the barn find look also . Might be how i do mine since i scavenged it long ago. I too remember seeing it at Canfield Ohio at the Hot Rod Supernats. Was a regular there till it went back west. A lot of pro fairgrounders there.But Dobbertins and the other cars were awesome to look at. Michael

[Blown03SVT]

Everything you could ever want to know about the car in brochure format with detailed photo's: http://dobbertinhydr..._BROCHURE_2.pdf

George called it... The Diff carrier was bolted right to the cage frame. YIKES!

[bobthehobbyguy]

I remember reading somewhere that he was given a bad time by the judges of some event because there were no rear springs  I believe he added a couple of valve springs to answer the complaint.

 

I thought the car was cool when it came out. Granted it wasn't practical but neither are a lot of cars that are art.  Most of the ridler winners are not really practical and just function enough to pass the movement requirements.

 

bobthehobbyguy

[Elliot949]

I just purchased a sealed autographed model of this From Rick Dobbertin... He is a really cool guy... Rick and I have exchanged alot of emails over the last few weeks... The 2000 was sold to a guy is Chicago... it since sold again at Auction and remained in Chicago... Here are a few Quotes from Rick:

 

"The car is is Chicago. I sold it years ago and it was just sold again. I believe it went for $350,000.00."

 

"There is a huge Pro Street reunion in DuQuoin this June and the J-2000 is supposed to be one of the big features." 
 

 

This is what he says he is working on now...

 

"An old 1979 Manta Mirage kit car... simple and really fun to drive. Like a go-kart on the street. -Rick"

Attached Files

•  Rick Dobbertins J2000 2.jpg   136.8K   24 downloads
•  Rick Dobbertins J2000 5.jpg   130.34K   21 downloads

[Casey]

I thought the car was cool when it came out. Granted it wasn't practical but neither are a lot of cars that are art.  

 

It was a very polarizing car, and was considered by many to be the zenith of the Pro Street movement, which also meant the beginning of the end. Totally outrageous, over-the-top, and obnoxious, it certainly set the bar a bit higher, but I doubt any Pro Streeter will ever go this far again. At least this car gave Revell the opportunity to give us that Pontiac J-2000 body we were all clamoring for, right guys? Guys? 

 

I have often thought about building this kit, but all the chrome turned me off, as I still have nightmares about assembling the Mysterion's chrome plated frame and suspension...tiny, tiny parts, all over!   

 

I'll be tuning in to see how this one progresses. 

[spkgibson]

Here's an idea for you...Find a 82-83 Cavalier annual from MPC....And make a factory stock J2000, The  only other parts you need is a set of Pontiac wheels from a early Fiero kit...I made one along time ago back in 1990 , It didn't look to bad for what skills I had back then.

[tooltas]

just find a small car with the same wheelbase a put a new spin on it  get a bigblock and lose the smallblock but keep the wild top in that made that car twoblowers and a turbos was a  nuts of smallblock

[Blown03SVT]

Was just reading Todds post and thinking about the motor. If this car had EFI, with the compound boost and the nitrous injection it would have been a insano ride for sure instead of Pro Fairgrounds. 

[Bowtienutz]

Years ago Rick told me he planned on building an Anglia. Then Pontiac gave him the body and urged him to use it to help promote the J car. Check out using an Anglia body I've never seen anyone build one with that body,and I've never checked the wheelbase. Good luck

[mnwildpunk]

Very interesting I can't wait to see what you decide

[Draggon]

Hope you're not going to build it and keep the box intact. Might not be a big deal today, but in 20 years it will really be something.

[Pro Wrench]

Was just reading Todds post and thinking about the motor. If this car had EFI, with the compound boost and the nitrous injection it would have been a insano ride for sure instead of Pro Fairgrounds. 

Yes it would have.  That single carb he used to feed that massive induction system not only couldn't provide NEAR enough fuel for it to survive under boost, there was also no way for it to provide NEAR enough air to feed it at much above an idle.

[vc273]

Hi just thought i would post a few pics of 41 willys that i have on the build using the kits chassis and engine. Just needed a little trimming now fits like a glove. Also used the chassis under a 1950 thames that i built.

 

[doggie427]

I always wanted to convert this kit to the Olds Firenza Pro Stock that Warren Johnson ran in the 80s

 

Or the Yuill Bros J2000

 yuill_brothers_1982.jpg   28.52K   3 downloads