Tag Archives: 1974

Motorsport

Forget The Dodge Ramcharger, This 1978 Plymouth Trail Duster Is The Old SUV We Want

Just about everybody remembers the Dodge Ramcharger. The huge two-door SUV arrived for the 1974 mannequin 12 months and would stay in manufacturing for US patrons by the early Nineteen Nineties. What you could not know is that Plymouth additionally had a model of the off-roader: The Trail Duster. That’s the main target of this new video from Dead Dodge Garage on YouTube.

When we are saying model, we imply the Trail Duster was principally a Ramcharger with a special badge. The our bodies had been the identical, a lot in order that even a eager eye could be hard-pressed to identify the variations. Badges determine this explicit 1978 mannequin as a Trail Duster Sport, which incorporates fake wooden trim as a result of hey, it was the ’70s. Of higher curiosity is the 400 cubic-inch (6.5-liter) V8 below the hood, topped with an aftermarket Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor.

1978 Plymouth Trail Duster
1978 Plymouth Trail Duster

The Trail Duster was not too long ago present in Washington, the place it had been sitting for 16 years. The video paperwork the trials and tribulations of bringing the forgotten Dodge again to life, which is rarely a simple job for one thing with decade-old gasoline within the tank. However, with some fuel-line patches and a rebuilt distributor, the previous Plymouth’s engine does certainly hearth up. It’s unclear if a full restoration is within the SUV’s future, however the present proprietor is no less than having some enjoyable with it for now.

Whereas the Ramcharger stayed in manufacturing by the early Nineteen Nineties, Plymouth dropped the Trail Duster on the finish of the first-generation run in 1981. It’s believed roughly 36,000 had been made, which does not precisely make it uncommon. But unfold out over a six-year manufacturing run, it is not almost as widespread as its Dodge stablemate.

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World’s First Amphibious Motorcycle: Classic Dirt Bike

In the May 1974 issue of Dirt Bike, an interesting motorcycle was featured – the prototype Aquavarna amphibious dirt bike. Although no other references to this bike have been found, here is the story of the 1974 Aquavarna 450 as written by staffer George Wegner.



The Aquavarna was featured in the May 1974 issue of Dirt Bike. No other references have been found.

Someone in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has developed a groundbreaking waterproofing technique. This dedicated individual, Peter “Gills” Dill, has combined his love for dirt biking and scuba diving to create an innovative amphibious motorcycle. His invention, the Aquavarna 450, caught the attention of Dirt Bike magazine, and they decided to put it to the test as the “MASTER TESTERS”.



The inventor with his Aquavarna amphibian.

The test session took place at Lake Michigan, where the Aquavarna amazed the testers. Equipped with a scuba regulator connected to the rider and a modified Husky air box, the bike could be ridden completely submerged. The waterproofing technique used by Dill remains a secret, but it is suspected to involve Elmer’s Glue, malted milk balls, and WD-40.

During the test, the bike achieved a top speed of 14 knots underwater, offering a unique and exhilarating riding experience. The traction was impressive, allowing the rider to maneuver through underwater obstacles effortlessly. Even crashes were enjoyable, as the rider would simply settle to the bottom.

After the successful test, the Dirt Bike team discussed potential improvements for the Aquavarna, including adding fins or rudders for better cornering stability. Gills, the inventor, was invited to join the team as a “Special Underwater Consultant and Test Editor”. The article concludes with a mention of a future cycle park opening off the coast of Delaware, where enthusiasts can explore underwater biking.



Motorsport

Lifted 2023 Volkswagen Golf R Is A Pricey All-Terrain Hot Hatch

The original Volkswagen Golf was first introduced in 1974. However, it wasn’t until 1985, during the Mk2 era, that the first all-wheel-drive version, known as the Golf Syncro, was made available. In 1989, a more adventurous variant called the Golf Country was introduced with a raised suspension and other rugged features. Only 7,735 Golf Country cars were produced by Steyr-Daimler-Puch in Austria. Now, a new custom-built Golf R based on the current model aims to revive the spirit of the Golf Country.

Off-road specialist Delta4x4 has previewed this unique Golf R, which aims to explore new territories that no other Golf R has ventured into before. This lifted hot hatch comes with an 80 millimeter (3.14 inch) lift kit, adding to its off-road capabilities. It is equipped with custom 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. The aftermarket package also includes a roof rack for increased practicality, as well as five additional PIAA lights mounted on the hood.