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Bob ChandlerThe creator of the first monster truck
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- The Birth of the Monster Truck
- Midwest Four Wheel Drive
- The First Bigfoot
- Bigger and Better
- Bigfoot 5: A Giant Among Monsters
- The Origin of the Name "Bigfoot"
The Birth of the Monster Truck
In 1979, Bob Chandler unveiled the original monster truck, aptly named "Bigfoot." A St. Louis, Missouri native, Chandler was a construction worker who enjoyed off-roading in his reliable Ford F-250 pickup truck. However, the extreme use took its toll on the vehicle, highlighting a need for more robust parts.
Midwest Four Wheel Drive
In 1974, Chandler joined forces with his wife Marilyn and friend Jim Kramer to establish the Midwest Four Wheel Drive Association, a group dedicated to assisting off-road enthusiasts. They customized Chandler's Ford F-250, transforming it into a promotional vehicle for their organization. The heavily modified truck featured 48-inch tires, four-wheel steering, and a turbocharged V8 engine.
The First Bigfoot
In 1979, Chandler debuted the modified Ford F-250 at the Denver Car Show. Not only did he showcase the association's products, but he also demonstrated the truck's incredible capabilities by crushing old cars. Chandler's creation captivated audiences, including 68,000 spectators at the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit, Michigan.
Bigger and Better
For his second Bigfoot, Chandler employed 66-inch tall, 34-inch wide tires that had previously been used on a manure spreader. The heavy-duty axles came from a military truck, and the 1048 cubic inch engine ran on alcohol instead of gasoline. By 1983, Chandler secured sponsorship from Ford Motor Company. To meet the growing demand for monster truck shows, he developed a series of Bigfoot vehicles.
Bigfoot 5: A Giant Among Monsters
In 1986, Chandler unveiled his largest Bigfoot creation, Bigfoot 5. Standing at 15.5 feet tall and weighing 38,000 pounds, the behemoth was built around gigantic 10-foot tall tires. Based on a U.S. Army transport vehicle used in Alaska, Bigfoot 5 paved the way for the construction of 21 subsequent Bigfoot models, with the 20th running on electric batteries. The 22nd Bigfoot is currently in development.
The Origin of the Name "Bigfoot"
The iconic name "Bigfoot" originated from a remark made by Jim Kramer, Chandler's former office manager. Frustrated with the constant repairs on his truck, Kramer lamented, "If you would just keep your big foot off the gas, we wouldn't have to fix it all the time." In response, Chandler emblazoned the truck with the words "Bigfoot," and a legend was born.
