This is Grumpy, a 1997 Chevy Astro that I purchased for $250 for the sole purpose of entering it in the 2008 BA/BE Rally a four day road rally from New York to New Orleans (Big Apple to Big Easy) where the participants drive vehicles that are purchased for no more than $250. Vehicles are required to be road safe and street legal in the state of registration, so some repairs and maintenance before the rally are allowed. Quick fixes are best, dropping in new engines is not. The idea is to be somewhat scared of the vehicle not making it, some vehicles don't, some get dumped in New Orleans once the rally is over, some actually make it home and become daily drivers.
Unfortunately, between not finding reliable team members and having to put my Husky through heart worm treatment (not cheap), I was not able to enter the 2008 BA/BE Rally. I continued to repair and modify Grumpy for use in the 2009 BA/BE Rally, but once again lack of reliable team members and something else (the IRS) needing my money, Grumpy was not entered. I was able to jump onto someone elses team to participate in the rally though.
In an effort to find car minded team members for the 2010 BA/BE Rally, Grumpy will be used for local gimmick rallyes, car shows, cruise nights, and might even see some time on a local dirt oval in the "Run What You Brung" event.
The van currently has over 306k miles, accumulating 118k in 2007 being used as a Milwaukee based delivery van by the previous owner.
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Page 1: Vehicle overview (Updated 08/19/2009)
Page 2: The Chronicles of Grumpy (Updated 8/18/2009)
Page 3: Walk Around
Page 4: Interior Shots
Page 5: Custom Paint Concept
Page 6: Costs
Page 7: Repairs Needed List
