2025 Cannonball Run theme ideas thread?

[Mattilacken]

Hi all! 

So in just 13 days the 2025 CBR is on! So we need to pick a theme quickly!

It is 50years since the 1975 edition of Cannonball Run ran, so its an aniversary for sure! So bring som ideas that will give many buildes options in building! 

 

[Mattilacken]

I have an Idea that anything availible in 1975, new or used is allowed. Same goes for engine and other mods. But if it has been done in 1975 in any cattegory say turbos, porsche had OEM turbos in 1974, so anything tubo is good, but LS came in 1997 and would not been around so no LS swaps. But nascar engines of any year as long as its not modern EFI would be good.

And the thing i would say is ok is say wheels, if you want to go larger diameter and modern tires do so. 

Whats your thoughts on that?

[Mattilacken]

Here is a inspiration for you all! Louie Mattars Non stop tripp from Los-angeles to New York and back in 1952! No speed reckords was probobly sett but he did not stop, not even for a flat tire!

Found out about him in a Swedish automotive magazine where they did a 7 page feature of him, his Cadillac and his escapades!

 

 

 

 

 

Here is an other article in english:

More than 70 years ago, Louie Mattar drove 6320 miles non-stop in his fantastic perpetual motion machine - Hagerty Media

 

 

Here is the article in swedish, should be able to read with google translate on your phone. Or just look at the pics.

Non-stopp genom usa louie mattars fantastiska cadillac - 28 Mar 2024 - Wheels Magazine - Readly

 

 

[stitchdup]

what about since its 50 years of the cannonball, each entrant picks a year from the last 50 years and has to build either a production, race, record setting or cannonball vehicle from that year but to keep things interesting once someone has picked that year, nobody else can build that year.

[Mattilacken]

24 minutes ago, stitchdup said:

what about since its 50 years of the cannonball, each entrant picks a year from the last 50 years and has to build either a production, race, record setting or cannonball vehicle from that year but to keep things interesting once someone has picked that year, nobody else can build that year.

I like that, it would also make it perfect to quallify already started CBR builds, such as my race truck for the 3 time..  

[White Rabbit]

We already have some great ideas! I have to admit, I'm pretty excited about the next Cannonball!

My theme ideas are based around commemorating the winners of the 1975 Run: Jack May and Rick Kline in a Ferrari Dino.

1. The all-Ferrari Run: all street-legal Ferraris are eligible.

2. The all-Italian Run: all Italian street-legal cars are eligible.

3. The Mid-Engine Run: all mid-engine cars are eligible.

[W-409]

Some great ideas already posted in here! I've been away from Cannonball for a couple of years, but now I have plans to finish something again.

My personal favorites so far are these two:

11 hours ago, Mattilacken said:

I have an Idea that anything availible in 1975, new or used is allowed. Same goes for engine and other mods. But if it has been done in 1975 in any cattegory say turbos, porsche had OEM turbos in 1974, so anything tubo is good, but LS came in 1997 and would not been around so no LS swaps. But nascar engines of any year as long as its not modern EFI would be good.

2 hours ago, White Rabbit said:

3. The Mid-Engine Run: all mid-engine cars are eligible.

 

Both of these are pretty cool, and the cool thing about the idea with mid-engine cars is that no-one said they had to be factory production models with mid engines...

[Wagonmaster110]

Since it is the anniversary of the 1975 Cannonball. How about anything '75 or Older?

 

Tim

[slusher]

On 12/18/2024 at 3:12 PM, Wagonmaster110 said:

Since it is the anniversary of the 1975 Cannonball. How about anything '75 or Older?

 

Tim

That is what was thinking and only engines no newer than 1975..I

[Mattilacken]

I believe we have come to a consensus when five have come up with more or less the same idea with variations.

 

How does this sound?

All cars before 1975 are allowed.

All engines available 1975 and before are allowed.

Poweradders, turbos and superchargers available 1975 and earlier are ok as long as no EFI with modern computer tuning.

Wheels should resemble 1975 and earlier but can be larger in diameter and width.

Tires are free if they are street legal.

I tag everyone active in 2024 below.

@slusher @Wagonmaster110 @White Rabbit @stitchdup @W-409 @KWT @Beans @oldcarfan @NOBLNG @Lunajammer @Spottedlaurel @disconovaman @Jantrix @Can-Con @Fat Brian @Tim08 @MeatMan @Keef @53gmc @Pat Minarick @Westrods @atomicholiday @Camaro lover @kermn8r @avidinha @Bills72sj @tooltime-fan @xbazzarex @JimmyRiggins @blue303

Edited December 20, 2024 by Mattilacken
Clarification

[JimmyRiggins]

On 12/18/2024 at 2:51 AM, stitchdup said:

what about since its 50 years of the cannonball, each entrant picks a year from the last 50 years and has to build either a production, race, record setting or cannonball vehicle from that year but to keep things interesting once someone has picked that year, nobody else can build that year.

I call Dibs on 1967 😉

 

Some links to drum up some inspiration :

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/perpetual-motion-1969-chevrolet-camaro/

https://news.classicindustries.com/martini-mustang-t5r

https://www.hotrod.com/features/moonshine-runners-history-cars-looking-back-junior-johnson/

 

⬇️I really like this idea, some vintage racing/hopped up motors in roughly period correct cars… Just sounds right to me!

 

3 hours ago, Mattilacken said:

I believe we have come to a consensus when five have come up with more or less the same idea with variations.

 

How does this sound?

All cars before 1975 are allowed.

All engines available in 1975 are allowed.

 Turbos are ok as long as no EFI with modern computer tuning.

Wheels should at least resemble 1975 and earlier but can be larger in diameter and width.

Tires are free if they are street legal.

I tag everyone active in 2024 below.

@slusher @Wagonmaster110 @White Rabbit @stitchdup @W-409 @KWT @Beans @oldcarfan @NOBLNG @Lunajammer @Spottedlaurel @disconovaman @Jantrix @Can-Con @Fat Brian @Tim08 @MeatMan @Keef @53gmc @Pat Minarick @Westrods @atomicholiday @Camaro lover @kermn8r @avidinha @Bills72sj @tooltime-fan @xbazzarex @JimmyRiggins @blue303

 

 

Edited December 20, 2024 by JimmyRiggins

[MeatMan]

5 hours ago, Mattilacken said:

I believe we have come to a consensus when five have come up with more or less the same idea with variations.

 

How does this sound?

All cars before 1975 are allowed.

All engines available in 1975 are allowed.

 Turbos are ok as long as no EFI with modern computer tuning.

Wheels should at least resemble 1975 and earlier but can be larger in diameter and width.

Tires are free if they are street legal.

I tag everyone active in 2024 below.

@slusher @Wagonmaster110 @White Rabbit @stitchdup @W-409 @KWT @Beans @oldcarfan @NOBLNG @Lunajammer @Spottedlaurel @disconovaman @Jantrix @Can-Con @Fat Brian @Tim08 @MeatMan @Keef @53gmc @Pat Minarick @Westrods @atomicholiday @Camaro lover @kermn8r @avidinha @Bills72sj @tooltime-fan @xbazzarex @JimmyRiggins @blue303

I'm confuzzled. Cars before 1975, but engines & wheels available in 1975?

[Beans]

22 minutes ago, MeatMan said:

I'm confuzzled. Cars before 1975, but engines & wheels available in 1975?

I read it to mean that any car model year 1975 or older with any engine from any care also from 1975 or older.

I don't think they meant the car had to be a 74 or earlier model but not the components.  

[MeatMan]

9 minutes ago, Beans said:

I read it to mean that any car model year 1975 or older with any engine from any care also from 1975 or older.

I don't think they meant the car had to be a 74 or earlier model but not the components.  

Yeah, my wife beats me up sometimes because I hear (see) things in their literal sense. To me, anything else is speculation.

[Beans]

6 hours ago, Mattilacken said:

I believe we have come to a consensus when five have come up with more or less the same idea with variations.

 

How does this sound?

All cars before 1975 are allowed.

All engines available in 1975 are allowed.

 Turbos are ok as long as no EFI with modern computer tuning.

Wheels should at least resemble 1975 and earlier but can be larger in diameter and width.

Tires are free if they are street legal.

I tag everyone active in 2024 below.

@slusher @Wagonmaster110 @White Rabbit @stitchdup @W-409 @KWT @Beans @oldcarfan @NOBLNG @Lunajammer @Spottedlaurel @disconovaman @Jantrix @Can-Con @Fat Brian @Tim08 @MeatMan @Keef @53gmc @Pat Minarick @Westrods @atomicholiday @Camaro lover @kermn8r @avidinha @Bills72sj @tooltime-fan @xbazzarex @JimmyRiggins @blue303

I'm good with this.  Maybe by limiting any crazy ideas of an engine swap I will actually finish this time.......maybe

[W-409]

8 hours ago, Mattilacken said:

I believe we have come to a consensus when five have come up with more or less the same idea with variations.

 

How does this sound?

All cars before 1975 are allowed.

All engines available 1975 and before are allowed.

Poweradders, turbos and superchargers available 1975 and earlier are ok as long as no EFI with modern computer tuning.

Wheels should resemble 1975 and earlier but can be larger in diameter and width.

Tires are free if they are street legal.

I tag everyone active in 2024 below.

@slusher @Wagonmaster110 @White Rabbit @stitchdup @W-409 @KWT @Beans @oldcarfan @NOBLNG @Lunajammer @Spottedlaurel @disconovaman @Jantrix @Can-Con @Fat Brian @Tim08 @MeatMan @Keef @53gmc @Pat Minarick @Westrods @atomicholiday @Camaro lover @kermn8r @avidinha @Bills72sj @tooltime-fan @xbazzarex @JimmyRiggins @blue303

 

That would sound great for me! I hope others are into it as well so that we'd have a good turnout.

 

If that would be the theme, I'd already have a plan on what I would build. It's something I've wanted to do for several years for Cannonball.

[tim08]

8 hours ago, Mattilacken said:

I believe we have come to a consensus when five have come up with more or less the same idea with variations.

 

How does this sound?

All cars before 1975 are allowed.

All engines available 1975 and before are allowed.

Poweradders, turbos and superchargers available 1975 and earlier are ok as long as no EFI with modern computer tuning.

Wheels should resemble 1975 and earlier but can be larger in diameter and width.

Tires are free if they are street legal.

I tag everyone active in 2024 below.

@slusher @Wagonmaster110 @White Rabbit @stitchdup @W-409 @KWT @Beans @oldcarfan @NOBLNG @Lunajammer @Spottedlaurel @disconovaman @Jantrix @Can-Con @Fat Brian @Tim08 @MeatMan @Keef @53gmc @Pat Minarick @Westrods @atomicholiday @Camaro lover @kermn8r @avidinha @Bills72sj @tooltime-fan @xbazzarex @JimmyRiggins @blue303

I like this, gives us more options to choose from.

[MeatMan]

I'm in. I'll revive my 75 Monza I started for 2023.

[Fat Brian]

I could be down for a 75 or prior build. I think period correct mods would help solidify the vibes.

[oldcarfan]

Sounds good to me!

[53gmc]

Is it limited to just cars 75 and older or trucks allowed as well?

[Mattilacken]

16 minutes ago, 53gmc said:

Is it limited to just cars 75 and older or trucks allowed as well?

Trucks are of course allowed! They ran in the real Canonball as well. 🙂

[oldcarfan]

I'm down for pretty much any topic for the next race. Since it's been mentioned, I've already been reading up on the 1975 event.

Being a research nerd, I've included a picture of the contestants from the Car & Driver magazine cover from 1975. They ran a wide array of vehicles. Note the 1974-ish Chevy truck in the back with the camper shell and the Chevy van. The van was entered by the Polish Racing Drivers of America. According to reports they burned around 350 gallons of gas carried in 55 gallon barrels. Good thing it didn't crash!

It also looks like there's also a Ford Gran Torino wagon back there as well. There were the usual Porsches and as well as Brock Yates' very own Dodge Challenger. Just out of curiosity, can anyone identify the other station wagon? It's behind the red 911 in the first picture, and in front of the white Porsche in the last picture. I think it might be a brown Datsun or Mazda. If you're looking for something different, one team drove a Travco motor home filled with Italian food, wine and beer.

Also if we are going back in time to 1975, don't forget your shopping list. You'll need folded paper maps, a massive gas tank, oversize lights, police scanner, CB radio, and FuzzBuster! Maybe pack a cooler with peanut butter sandwiches, candy bars, caffeine pills, and Thermoses filled with coffee.

This article might be of interest. https://www.cannonballdino.com/post/the-amelia-founder-and-the-cannonball-run

 

[White Rabbit]

35 minutes ago, oldcarfan said:

I'm down for pretty much any topic for the next race. Since it's been mentioned, I've already been reading up on the 1975 event.

Being a research nerd, I've included a picture of the contestants from the Car & Driver magazine cover from 1975. They ran a wide array of vehicles. Note the 1974-ish Chevy truck in the back with the camper shell and the Chevy van. The van was entered by the Polish Racing Drivers of America. According to reports they burned around 350 gallons of gas carried in 55 gallon barrels. Good thing it didn't crash!

It also looks like there's also a Ford Gran Torino wagon back there as well. There were the usual Porsches and as well as Brock Yates' very own Dodge Challenger. Just out of curiosity, can anyone identify the other station wagon? It's behind the red 911 in the first picture, and in front of the white Porsche in the last picture. I think it might be a brown Datsun or Mazda. If you're looking for something different, one team drove a Travco motor home filled with Italian food, wine and beer.

Also if we are going back in time to 1975, don't forget your shopping list. You'll need folded paper maps, a massive gas tank, oversize lights, police scanner, CB radio, and FuzzBuster! Maybe pack a cooler with peanut butter sandwiches, candy bars, caffeine pills, and Thermoses filled with coffee.

This article might be of interest. https://www.cannonballdino.com/post/the-amelia-founder-and-the-cannonball-run

 

Thank you for the great overview and pictures! The wagon should be the 1974 Mazda RX4 driven by Tom Kozlowski, Jeff Martini, Pierre Honegger, and Ray Walle. It can be identified by its e-z wider stickers on its quarter panels.

[Spottedlaurel]

1975 and earlier sounds good to me, got plenty here in the stash to choose from whether it's American or Japanese.