Last year our team, 3 Pedal Mafia, ran an obscure, horribly rusty, 4WD Civic wagon at Lemons, and it was far too boring. In the off season, we decided, likely while drunk, that it would be a good idea to make a new lemons car that was...a boat. Crappy boats show up on Craigslist all the time, so why not put on on a frame? Seemed like a good idea at the time.
We discussed the idea with Jay Lamm and chief of tech John Pagel, got some guidelines for the build. We then went out and found a unicorn of a truck, a 94 S10 with the 4.3 and 5 spd, with regular cab, short bed, and 2WD. These are hard to find in the northeast at lemons money.
We gutted it, cut off the roof, caged it, and sold off a bunch of parts and had it ready to go:
Around the same time, a boat showed up on CL that was just right, the perfect dimensions. It was procured for the grand sum of $100 on a Friday night.
Saturday, we dug into the filth of a $100 1971 Sea Sprite that had seen years of neglect. More than once, the best way to describe it was "What an incredible smell you've discovered!"
We then started to cut it up. First was the interior:
Then the bottom. Cleaning and gutting took all Saturday and part of Sunday.
We then moved it into position next to the truck
Lifted it up by hand, and put it behind the truck
Then lots of test fit, cut, fit, cut, fit
After it was on, we had to spend another whole weekend attaching the boat to the truck securely, creating a rear floor area, and lots more.
Here is how it sits today, race ready, and we leave this afternoon for NJMP
Our theme, is Lonely Island's I'm on a boat. The nautical puns are just impossible to resist any tie we are working on it. There will be waterskiing in the paddock. If you are there and see us, be sure to stop in and say Hi!
