The monster truck sport has its own icon: BIGFOOT creator, Bob Chandler. In 1979, BIGFOOT performed at its first paid event, a Denver car show. In total, the trucks weigh about 11,000 pounds with the lower chassis weighing more than the upper. BIGFOOT", "SNAKE BITE", "The Original Monster Truck" and"4x4x4" are all registered trademarks of BIGFOOT 4X4, Inc., 2286 Rose Ln., Pacific, MO 63069 U.S.A. With the way the points system and elimination brackets had been structured, Bigfoot (driven by Rich Hooser) and USA-1 met in the semifinal round with USA-1 clinching the points championship if it beat Bigfoot. By the early 80s, BIGFOOT became a full on attraction unto itself, appearing at a Denver car show, literally crushing the early 80s with car jumping events, and the original BIGFOOT becoming cloned, as they tell it. In stock car racing, it is Richard Petty; in Indy car racing, it is Mario Andretti; and in drag racing, its Big Daddy Don Garlits. Bigfoot is a monster truck. This also, is the reason Bigfoot 1 was purchased, and sported a carpenters tool compartment on the bed early on. As Chandler tells it, I never really had the intent to build monster trucksit was just something that happened. Because I like it. Besides Car and Driver, his work has appeared in the New York Times and more than 100 automotive publications and websites. Magazines came calling and BIGFOOTs popularity continued to grow. And I said I wasnt interested in selling. Bob Chandler was died on April 24, 1949 at age 45. Bob Chandler (Born on September 12, 1941) is the owner of Bigfoot, considered the first monster truck ever built, and is regarded as the true inventor of monster trucks. It debuted on January 28, 1993, in conjunction with. I would be nicer and tie in with them. If it had been one of mine, Id close the doors to the business.. Chandler built a second Bigfoot - the first monster truck to use the 66-inch flotation tires that have since become a monster truck standard - in 1982, and in 1983 secured sponsorship from Ford Motor Company. 2286 Rose Ln. We were advised we could hire either an attorney or a facilitator who would hand out bribes and such. Born Eugene Dixon in Chicago, Illinois, in 1937 . In honor of Bob Chandler's 80th birthday yesterday, we are giving away 80 signed Hot Wheels BIGFOOT trucks at this year's Open House on September 25th! Im trying to figure out how I would change with Monster Jam. We have six or seven trucks out every weekend. BC: Well, I ran for them before they were Monster Jam. [1] The original Bigfoot began as a 1974 Ford F-250 pickup that was modified by its owner Bob Chandler beginning in 1975. A mix of clouds and sunshine with gusty winds developing this afternoon. Gene Chandler Net Worth: Gene Chandler is an American musician and producer who has a net worth of $2 million. Chandler and the BIGFOOT Team quickly proved they were up to this task, winning the vast majority of the events they competed in. These will only be given away at the Open. Bob spent his early years in St. Louis, before going to California, where he joined the Navy right out of high school. It was designed by Bob Chandler and Dan Patrick using, Bigfoot 9 debuted on February 10, 1990, in, Built specifically as a display truck, Bigfoot 12 sports a retro-styled body based the original Bigfoot. I kept putting bigger and bigger tires on it, and I broke axles. He was 45. An industry was born. Chandler not only achieved unparalleled success in the monster truck industry, but actually fathered the industry itself. It made its debut in competition at a USHRA race in the Astrodome in Houston, Texas, reaching the final round of competition before rolling over against Jack Willman's Taurus. C/D: What kind of condition is Bigfoot 1 in? This was especially true if you were a fan of Ford trucks, as Bob Chandler's monster machine was perhaps the highest profile pickup in the world for that long stretch of years when Bigfoot dominated the show-n-crush circuit of a sport that the two of them helped foist into the global spotlight. And we started building more trucks. [1] The original Bigfoot began as a 1974 Ford F-250 pickup that was modified by its owner Bob Chandler beginning in 1975. Some years were at 600 or 700. Another form of competition Chandler faced was the physical size of the competition. ), French Polynesia (XPF In 1975, Bob Chandler put oversize tires on his Ford F-250 and created the first monster truck. Bigfoot 21 was completed on December 24, 2014, and debuted in, This truck was the last Bigfoot truck to be completed from a factory production pickup truck. Customer Service. Just as significantly, Chandler co-founded the Monster Truck Racing Association in . Known as the first monster truck, BIGFOOT became world famous in the 1980s and called Hazelwood, Missouri home for . Bigfoot 5, however, is something else entirely. It's only natural that as the trucks got bigger, they'd also get more powerful, because it takes a lot of horsepower to move the industry-standard 66x43x25-inch tires first put into use by Bob Chandler and crew on Bigfoot 2. It officially made its debut at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana at the Four Wheel and Off Road Jamboree in a special 5,000th show for Bigfoot (where every Bigfoot vehicle gathered in one place for the first time). During this time, Chandler began working with computer-aided design (CAD) programs, and using technology he had learned from professional off-road racing, designed a tubular frame for his next Bigfoot truck, along with a nitrogen suspension system sporting 24 inches (61cm) of travel. If you think Bob Chandler's age is not correct, please leave a comment about Bob Chandler's real age and Bob Chandler's actual birthday below. C/D: Do your kids have the same passion for trucks that you had? $), Central African Republic (XAF A graduate of UC Santa Barbara, he still lives near that campus with his wife and two children. Beginning in the Midwest, where the Chandler family and neighbor Jim Kramer open Midwest 4 Wheel Drive Center out of the Chandler family garage, primarily to sell 4-wheel drive products. Gasoline navigating the rim of an injector, oxygenating around the shaft of a piston, and then finally rocketing off to the folds of a face near you. The Chandler children, Ann Trent, President of BIGFOOT, Penny Chandler, her Executive Assistant, and Bob C., Licensing/IT/Sales Manager, are all following in their parents footsteps. $), U.S. Outlying Islands (USD Actually the name monster trucks came about at a show in the Pontiac Silverdomethe largest single day monster truck event ever. CHF), Tajikistan (TJS In 1992, Chandler became the first to utilize the team approach to racing, and BIGFOOT #10 and Snake Bite (BIGFOOT #9) raced to a One-Two finish in points. kr. We have six or seven trucks out almost all the time, doing three shows a weekend.. $), Congo - Brazzaville (XAF They are what trucks would look like if they could enter the league on performance enhancing substancesbigger, louder, more powerful, and honestly, what you pay to see. The people we deal with, the transportation coordinators and directors and the like, have been nice. ), Netherlands Antilles (ANG Please let us know if you think data we have about Bob Chandler's height is not correct. The late 80s was a time of reflective wraparound shades, mustaches and mullets, and commercials promoting monster truck rallies with a fiery fervor. Chandler added one of his favorite people to work with was Edsell Ford, who originally helped him secure the Ford sponsorship of Bigfoot. See our terms of use and privacy notice. BC: The cab has been replaced because early on I ran mud runs and it rusted out. After discovering his passion for Bigfoots, Bobo worked various odd jobs to learn more about the creature. . By this point, Chandler had already built an entire fleet of "Bigfoot" trucks to accommodate the vast demand for his vehicle, which remained as the most popular and marketable monster truck despite the large number of imitators. He moved his headquarters to 2286 Rose Lane exactly one year ago after 35 years in Hazelwood. Bob Chandler has not been elected into the Hall of Fame. But it still runs and still has that 640-cubic-inch Hemi in it. They bent it in that movie. It is the first Bigfoot truck to make its debut overseas, doing so in. The Hundreds X BIGFOOT releases this Friday at The Hundreds Los Angeles, our Online Shops (US and UK), and select domestic retailers. But something so big had an innocuous start. BC: Some years we do over 1000 shows and displays. C/D: Bigfoot and Monster Jam dont get along? He recalls, My wife and I, and my kids would go out camping on the weekends. Chandler is often referred to as the "Father" of the Monster Truck industry as he pioneered the creation of the first truck. $), North Macedonia (MKD Over the years he, along with others, has written and rewritten the safety guidelines for monster truck events that have undoubtedly saved the lives of countless drivers and spectators. BC: Semiretired. By 1984, many truck owners around the country had taken to imitating Chandler's template of outfitting their vehicles with tires standing 66-inch (170cm) tall, with some trucks sporting even larger tires. What is Chandler Hallow's net worth? This modification drew attention and Chandler started making appearances at tractor pulls and car shows with his newly christened "Bigfoot" (so named for Chandler's heavy-footed racing style which caused frequent breakage of parts[2]) to show off the truck's capabilities as well as to promote his shop. Pacific, MO 63069 U.S.A. He was inducted into the International Monster Truck Hall of Fame in 2011. So I quit my job and weve been going full bore for 41 years.. In 1979, BIGFOOT performed at its first paid event, a Chicago Truck & Car show, with exhibition truck pulls soon following. Please subscribe to continue reading 0 Comments Be the first to know Get local. He was a career construction carpenter, and an off road enthusiast, which is where he became friends with Jim Kramer who was a co-worker at the time. Before long, Chandler and his souped-up Ford were local celebrities, making short work of local off-road events. Bigfoot #20 is electrically powered. Bob spent his early years in St. Louis, before going to California, where he joined the Navy right out of high school. Chandler said the first time he debuted Bigfoot No. Subscribe to receive updates on new arrivals, special offers and exclusive content! You see, Bob Chandlers passion for off-roading in a 1974 Ford F-250 led to the creation of a an entire industry. Now permanently parked in St Louis, it makes occasional exhibitional apprearances at local shows. Bob chandler - bigfoot - monster profile. The F-250 served as Chandler's shop truck, but it also was a catalog showcase. I dont know why, but it was a Midwest phenomena, Chandler said. The Chandler family, which now included three children, soon started spending their weekends at off-road events and running the gravel-bottom rivers in southern Missouri. Chandler said the connection between Bigfoot and kids has always been a driving force behind their company and admits it is the highlight of his four-decade monster truck career. Fr), Caribbean Netherlands (USD Sign In. Bigfoot4x4.com The truck produced 1,000 horsepower (750kW) horsepower from a 571-, A non-functioning replica built specifically for permanent display at the Race Rock restaurant in Las Vegas to match the display of Bigfoot 7 at their Orlando restaurant. Weve always tried to stay ahead, but people copy us. With the help of computer aided design (AutoCAD), which Bob taught himself, BIGFOOT immediately leaped to the forefront in the development of a new generation of race monster trucks. Bigfoot 15 debuted at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, in November 1994. As of April 2023, Bob Dylan's net worth is approximately $500 Million. We are delighted that you'd like to resume your subscription. Read More . As Chandlers popularity grew, so did the size of his truck and contrary to popular belief, Bigfoot didnt get its name because of big tires. Dead or Alive? C/D: Are you ever tempted to drive the trucks again? $), Equatorial Guinea (XAF Net Worth. Bigfoot 5 debuted at the 1986 Fall Jamboree in, Built in May 1988 specifically for the movie, Built in mid-1989, Bigfoot 8 was the first "Stage III" truck, which uses a tubular steel frame and cantilever suspension system chassis with a fiberglass body shell. The following year, after running the USHRA races in Anaheim, California, and Pontiac, Michigan, the truck debuted on the TNT Motorsports Monster Truck Challenge points circuit in Memphis, Tennessee. In 2012, the BIGFOOT team took a huge leap forward in technology and innovation when BIGFOOT #20 was completed. Fr), Congo - Kinshasa (CDF By the mid-80s, technology had entered the arena, and the demand for more BIGFOOT outsized contemporary race framing for the trucks. How much did Bob Chandler weigh when playing? Snake Bite is an alternate name and appearance sometimes used when a second truck is scheduled to appear at the same event. The mayor and everyone has been excellent.. Jacob the Jewelers Net Worth: An In-Depth Look, Uncovering Nia Longs Net Worth: From Actress to Fiance and Beyond, The Richest Man in the World 2023 Edition, Bobbi Ray Carter Net Worth, Biography, Age, Weight, Height. FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS $120 AND OVER (U.S. The fledgling all-sports television network ESPN also took note of the popularity of monster trucks in the 1980s and began showing events promoted by the United States Hot Rod Association and TNT Motorsports on a regular basis. High near 65F. Any day Im at home, Im at work. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We started Midwest 4x4 Center in 1975, Chandler said. I knew all along I wanted to keep it clean, Chandler said. Bob Chandler is still in charge here at Bigfoot headquarters, where his mechanics maintain a hulking fleet of modern Bigfoots. "A lot of guys would have stopped after being able to say they were the first to do something," Cook says. Finally, he said, Bigfoot. Fr), Dominican Republic (DOP Team Bigfoot ended up winning 24 events that season and took the 1990 TNT points championship over Greg Holbrook in Gary Cook's Equalizer and Gary Porter's Carolina Crusher, the first racing championship for the Bigfoot team. Bigfoot Crush is a 2020 arcade game released by UNIS.[39]. .. Begun in 1998, but not completed until April 2007, Bigfoot 16 debuted at the Four Wheel and Off Road Jamboree in, Built and operated by Nigel Morris, owner of L.A. Supertrux, Ltd., in a partnership with Bigfoot 4x4, Inc. Bigfoot 17 made its debut at Truckfest, Bigfoot 18 was completed in December 2011 and was the first Bigfoot truck to feature a, Bigfoot 19 was completed in September 2012. Even the most novice of truck aficionados can recognize Bigfoot's venerated royal blue paint job and massive . Celebrities more often then not want to keep their love affairs secret, if you happen to know the name of Bob Chandler's partner, please leave a comment in the section below. Bigfoot sails over junkers at a 1989 Anaheim event. 1 (they are currently working on Bigfoot No. It really took off when they started putting us on the covers of the magazines, Chandler said. Chandler happened to be the first one to make such a change, and the other drivers were not prepared for it.. BC: After we got done driving over that car, a stunt guy got into it and drove it into town. My little kid brain supposed that the trucks drove themselves, their anthropomorphized names signalling their autonomy. In its heyday, Bigfoot was represented at between 1,100 and 1,200 shows each year, today that number is a bit lower, but is still impressive. Previously, Bob was the Board Member at Mon ster Truck Racing Association. A popular example of the early days of monster truck racing is portrayed in the 1986 home video release Return of the Monster Trucks, which involves a truck pull, car crushing, and mud bogging all in the same course. Theyve hurt some drivers before. This innovation allowed Bigfoot to possess four times as much suspension travel as those used by nearly all previous monster trucks. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Bigfoot Presents: Meteor and the Mighty Monster Trucks, "History of BIGFOOT Bigfoot 44, Inc. Monster Truck Racing Team", "1977 2007 Anniversary Monster Trucks 4Wheel & Off-Road Magazine", "Team BIGFOOT Championships Bigfoot 44, Inc. Monster Truck Racing Team", "Bigfoot monster truck defects from Ford to Chevy after more than 35 years", "A "BIG" Move for Robby Gordon & SPEED Energy race-deZert.com", "NEWS BIGFOOT Is Coming To The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Series", "Bob Chandler Bigfoot 44, Inc. Monster Truck Racing Team", "BIGFOOT #1 Bigfoot 44, Inc. Monster Truck Racing Team", "BIGFOOT #2 Bigfoot 44, Inc. Monster Truck Racing Team", "BIGFOOT #3 Bigfoot 44, Inc. Monster Truck Racing Team", "BIGFOOT #4b Bigfoot 44, Inc. Monster Truck Racing Team", "BIGFOOT #4c Bigfoot 44, Inc. Monster Truck Racing Team", "BIGFOOT #4d Bigfoot 44, Inc. Monster Truck Racing Team", "BIGFOOT #4e Bigfoot 44, Inc. Monster Truck Racing Team", "BIGFOOT #5 Bigfoot 44, Inc. Monster Truck Racing Team", "BIGFOOT #6 Bigfoot 44, Inc. Monster Truck Racing Team", "BIGFOOT #7 Bigfoot 44, Inc. Monster Truck Racing Team", "Big Foot, Monster Truck, Fun Spot USA, Kissimmee, Florida. Friday-Sunday: CLOSED Who is the wife? He drove a majority of the early Bigfoot trucks, primarily 1 through 5, and was known to drive the Fastrax until he aggregated his back injury from years before. It appeared in the movie, This truck debuted on July 31, 1984, at the grand opening of the new Bigfoot headquarters in, Completed in the summer of 1986 and designed exclusively for use with 10 foot tall Firestone Tundra tires.