BIGFOOT 50x50 Day 45, 1980: “Big Damage and Big Breaks”

In 1980, monster trucks were not yet named as such and were not yet doing the things we associate with the “monster truck” designation aside from hill climbing and mud bogging. They existed on the fringes of the Pulling and Mud Bogging worlds but by now were starting to draw the attention of promoters and casual fans, not just fellow 4-wheel nuts.

Having completed an appearance on March 1 with BIGFOOT at the Pontiac Silverdome for Truck-O-Rama, Bob discovered some sorry sack of shi- I mean, a thief had stolen his beloved truck and taken it on a late night joyride, only to crash the truck, shearing the right front spindle and wheel off in the process. While bruised and broken, it was hardly anything that Bob and his mechanical alchemists at Midwest 4-Wheel Drive couldn't handle and in only a short time, the truck was not just repaired but improved over its former state. Just in time for Hollywood to come calling.

Principal filming of the twangy comedy “Take This Job & Shove It" took place in the Dubuque, Iowa area in July and August of 1980. While filming its very kinetic scenes, BIGFOOT suffered extensive frame and body damage. However, the truck, now shorn of it’s MW4WD livery, and fully christened “BIGFOOT” looked ferocious and resplendent in its already-iconic blue livery, riding high on 48" Goodyear Super Terra Grip tires. It had been a rough but rewarding year for BIGFOOT and the Chandlers, but little did they know that a fuse had been laid down along their path..