I Bought A HISTORIC Vintage Modified Race Car! - Vice Grip Garage EP87 

Luke was my wifes grandfather I rember when we would go watch him race it. Glad to see someone took care of it and can't believe we found this on RU-vid

I remember this car and Luke McLean racing at the Tri-State Speedway in Superior, Wisconsin. My brother and I sold programs, soda and hotdogs in the grandstand. Thanks for the memories.

You can tell that Derek is so stoked by this, cause he's not cracking the jokes. Proud of you Derek for buying something you really love! What an awesome ride! That is a true race machine! Proud of you! RACE THAT DAMN THING! IT'S YOUR DREAM!

We are friends with Luke's daughter it was good to see it run. She told us about your video.

Got my grandfathers 71 datsun running again after 35 years. All thanks to you for the inspiration.

All right, who else just clicks the ole thumbs up before he even gets started👍👍

The wobble problem is from driving to far in a straight line, she’s trying to turn for ya...😂😂😂😂

This is probably the eleventy four billionth VGG video a guy has watched, and seeing a feller so happy driving something like that brought a tear to a guys eye.

Luke McLean lived here in Iron River, WI where I have lived for the past 66 years. He was my hero when I was a kid. I do know that Luke rebuilt this car and raced it in a vintage race car club down in Zepher Hills Florida about 10 years ago. There is a video of some of those races, and I believe one of the guys that was a part of his pit crew back in the mid 60's might have a copy and he might have pictures and a little history on this old Sportsman car in your video. I'll see what I can find for you in the next few days.

"I was trying to think of a time that I had a worse idea... Not really coming to mind."

The alignment was part of Luke McLeans secret for winning those races with the lucky 777.

16:01 Derek looks like a WWI pilot trying to land his plane after being shot full of holes!

That wire mesh windshield is to catch chickens when you're shootin' through the barnyard.

I love the part about your dad finishing the race with only high gear and vice grip shifter. Moments like that make a guy a legend.

It's nice to see someone on RU-vid in the comments conversing with their viewers. It also helps that this channel is entertaining, often funny, and sometimes a guy even learns something watching it. Keep up the good work.

Your king pins need replacing ! That was the shimmy problem ! Also check your tie rod ends ! Thanx for the Joy ride, Been there, done that ! Be safe and well.

Just feed it the onions, the shake will come out of it ... no. Probably not

Brings back my old days Enjoy your race car keep the love of being a mechanic because we get the grease under our fingernails at a early age and it never goes away. Were a Breed of our own. That will always keep going on generation after generation.

Death Wobble - common in hot rods. Usually kingpins, tie rod ends or steering box wear. Replace worn parts, add a steering damper from SoCal Speed Shop. Alignment is important, too.

Love it. The old 'death wobble'. Usually happens at a certain speed. She probably doesn't like being on asphalt. Check alignment, tie rod/drag link ends.

Love it when a feller does that right thing and drives his race car home.

Finally the true story behind the vicegrip 👍👏👏 awesome brother

Yep, driving a dirt car 10 miles home with no idea what he is going to do with it was definitely a good idea. What could possibly go wrong??? I love it! I'd rat rod it. Gasser style!

Derek, The Outlaw Stock Car Driver!, My father in law raced stock cars for yrs, i grew up next to his salvage yard and we all went to the races every weekend. Our family still racing today in eastern Iowa.

Dirt track cars are typicality toed out in front. Toe out about 3/8" or more and camber out about 15% on the Captains side. And then camber out up to 30% on the drinker's side. Running like that on the asphalt would make her shake!

I like the story about the vice grips. It's the little things that we remember, and mold us into who we become.

Leave it alone it needs to be Kept just as she is. It's Bad Ass! I ran a circle burner in High School. All the old cars gone now but you have a piece of race History. 777 my Lucky Number

I was traveling to visit family in my 1996 Beretta and the shifter broke off. I limped into town (Bloomsburg, Pa.) and bought a set of vise grips and made the round trip (about 150 miles from there and back) with the ol' vise grip shifter. That was about 10 years ago. I feel vindicated! AND approved!

Son: "dad how come you hit the like button before you watch the video" Me: " cuz I know with out a doubt it's going to be a good one this guy is awesome"

It's just got the toe-out death wobble, give it an 1/8" of toe-in & it'll be fine. Some bolt-on lights & a tag would make it a great summer cruiser!

Couldn't stop smiling since you started the engine. I know exactly the feeling, every car guy needs a car like this in his life.

Preserve the PAINT, TAKE IT FOR A SPIN IN RUSTY ACRES AFTER A RAIN OR SNOW, keep it in GARAGE UNTIL YOU BUILD YOUR MUSIM OR PEARMID 👍🤠🇺🇸 26:17

Shakes like Shakira with horses running around her. Love it.

Wow! I didn't know that car still existed! I live in Duluth and raced up here for thirty years. Luke McLean is one of those names any of us "oldsters" know as part of our history. It would really be neat to see that car in person. I see you have the book "Glory Days", that is a great resource for racing history in the Duluth/Superior area. Do you know if Luke Mclean is still alive? If not, I'm sure there are a number of guys up here that would have some personal knowledge of the class that car ran in and maybe the car itself. It's listed in the book as the Stock class, but I think they called it the Jalopy class at the Proctor and Superior Speedway, which would make me question the 283 in it as what was run in '62, although it may have. Let me know if you want me to do some digging for information.

Very cool old buggy! Looks like it has the dropped axle death wobble. My '27 RPU had the same thing.

Love watching. reminds me of me when i was younger. drove my demolition derby car through town. luckily the cop that pulled me over was cool. made me park it at my grandmas house but once he left i was gone again. thanks for bringing back a memory i hadnt thought about in 20 or so years. keep up the videos makes me feel younger some how

He was driving that car home the minute he left the house, he brought the goggles with him

I can't believe a guy went and bought a car that had a good bat-tree, working brakes, and already ran.

Such a wicked find. I'm not into race cars or even cars of that era, but for a guy to snag a piece of history and go full road warrior to get the thing home commands the utmost respect. And yeah, sounds rowdy as frig!

The single spike casting sign where accessory bolt holes are on some heads is indicative of a 265/283 cylinder head; small valve (1.7" int 1.5" exh) small chamber head (58cc combustion chamber). That rear end is a DANA 27 btw.

Lol!!!! By far just driving that to your shop is one of the coolest things I’ve seen on your channel yet!

Street legal and cruise it as a rat rod. A guy has got to preserve it by letting everyone see it and enjoy what it represents. This car reminds me of when hot-rodding and guys building cars in their garages all started

Hey Derek. Definitely make it street legal, but do it all with bolt-on stuff, so if someone wants to race again, they can just un-bolt the stuff and go to it. Also, add a bolt in drinkers seat. I'm sure your son would love a ride in there, especially on a cruise! God Bless.

Me: “wait, a guy drove there in his truck!?! How’s that getting home?” Thanks for solving the mystery at the end.

“I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that” is my go to when working on cars. 😂 I need that quote on a Vice Grip Garage t-shirt lol 👍🏻

The reason I love this channel is because it reminds me of the things my brother and I used to do growing up on a small dairy farm. Not all of them were legally registered but man it was fun.

I'm pretty sure that when we heard this car start for the first time, every person watching when oh oh oh while smiling a smile that could only be made when hearing power roar to life!

Will someone help me understand this, just who would give a guy a thumbs down, I just don't know

My mom just bought an old retired racetrack “cool springs speedway” along with 72 acres and a house in cool springs Kentucky. Your gonna have to come take a rip on it!!! Your car I can almost guarantee raced on this track.

That is quite the fantastic paint job. There's no missing that car.

That is the proper dirt alignment and the larger right tire. Larger right rear also helps it turn more as on a small 1/4 mile track. Sprint cars at our track used same size front tires and a lot larger right rear. Leave as is and take it to vintage modified gatherings around the country. I think there are still many gatherings once all this foolishness goes away. Great find!

MY two cents: do the minimum needed to make it road legal/safe where you are and just let the ol' girl enjoy a well deserved retirement. That outro was hilarious!

Do the bare minimum to meet the "road legal" requirements in your state

That was nice, to hear about the origin of "Vice Grip Garage"! A deeply rooted beginning. I have a feeling this guy likes to do his dad proud every day...it's the way it should be...realizing the best way to teach is by doing.

I’ll bet that 283 sings a beautiful note at about 5K RPM’s 😎

Absolute Legend! Get this thing on the road and cruise it to shows.

I am at a loss for words! I thought driving the dirt track car 10 miles on the road was it... and then you ride back on a mini bike... you're killing me😂😂😂

This car belongs in a museum true work of art

That's awesome! Old school guys know how to make those small blocks sing!!!! .283 damn fine engine

Everyone that’s owned a Jeep knows that feeling 😂😂

My Grandfather raced against Luke in Superior and Ashland. I asked him if he remembered this car when I had seen the for sale post, and the way his old eyes instantly lit up was pretty amazing as he said "In the number triple seven, from Iron River, Wisconsin, Luke McLean!" My grandpa also claims this car originally had a straight six before luke switched to a small block.

What a fun car. We used to race a hobby stock Mopar at Raceway Park on Sunday night down in Shakopee, and occasionally down in Elko on Saturday. That was in the late 70's both were asphalt. I believe there was a dirt track in Wisconsin at the time. This brings back a lot of memories, thanks for sharing.

Dad and I were looking at the inside and we think it used to be an old center steer car. That is why pedals are so far to the right. He said most of those old mods/sprinters used to all be center steer. Would also explain the gauges being off to the right also. Have fun and keep the old girl shiney side up :)

Almost all dirt track cars have an issue with steering on asphault . We ran our winged cars on the street and it did the same thing its because of the way the Caster and Camber is set

As soon as you said 10 miles. I was like RUN IT! That sh*t eating grin from ear to ear said it all!

the problem is the rear end is locked. It was built for the dirt. Replace the rear end with a posi tracked one and all will be well for the street my friend.

Hi Derek, I gotta say, that is ace, just food for thought, make it road legal.....dont think you need to put glass in it for that!, & what ever you do, race it, no serious stuff like the old days, just for Fun.

In the Jeep world a feller calls that "Death wobble"

I was honored to know Jack McCoy personally he gave me a book he wrote called Racings Real McCoy it's well worth a read

Put it back like it was in ‘63/“64 Like the old pics: - stock 38 grille back in - all gauges to old school - period valve covers/ air filter -period wheels - period everything THEN: Make it stealth street legal: -small/hidden/disguised lights etc etc (horn/ww/etc) It’s shaking in Protest because of the Ford alternator !!👅!! Just kidding: Looks like tire/wheel imbalance! (RPM induced ‘Critical Imbalance’) C😎😎L Ride !! C😎😎L History !! ⚡️ NICE Purchase ⚡️

Race it! That is what the machine was built for and what it craves! The track!

"this is freakin' awesome, best day ever" cuts to the car going into a death wobble, never change dude

“Basically gonna pretend that it didn’t happen and keep going” Moments like this is why I watch this channel

I had a '32 Plymouth coup we stuffed a 331 Hemi in. We got rid of the shimmy by adjusting toe-in enough to keep pressure on the worn out tie rod ends. It wore tires out a bit sooner but we scrounged tires from old piles behind tire stores so it didn't matter.

when i was a little kid we used to go to Kensington Kansas to visit my grand parents and some friends of the family raced. One of them had an old coupe like that and still ran a strait 6 in it. We ended up buying a 37 Pontiac coupe from them that was an extra car for parts when i was 15. I ended up finally getting it on the road about 10 years ago. It is a blast to drive!! Cool find!! would love to find our old friends race car!

Lovin' how often you have content coming out this summer! Edit: Just finished watching. You have to race it. Make it street legal but then take it out to some track days instead of racing competitively so it doesn't get banged up and preserves the history of it. Awesome car.

I was praying you would drive it home its just the "RIGHT THING TO DO" LOL

Ran a 307 stock in class against 355& 383 strikers and ran second most nights. Only got bumped off track in corner on last lap. Was getting to start finish line first but would get caught up with at turn. That gave a gut a chance to knock me loose in the corner.

A fella was wondering if some of the bad shake MIGHT be a bent drive shaft...I raced an old 71 Camarigoround at Western Speedway,in Victoria B.C. back in the late 80's ,early 90's in the Open class semi modified,and developed a wick mean shake,looked at everything .Finally figured out there was a bit of a whoopsie in the drive shaft...new drive shaft,no shake...this was an awesome vid Derek,glad you're keeping the dream alive...

Two episodes in as many days?! This may be the best weekend ever!

What a beautiful sound she makes! The low idle setting could be a hang over from the days where they ran the old flathead and just set up as personal preference of the old fella. I know a lot of guys who loved to get their flatheads idling so low you wonder how they didn't stall - barely reading on the rev counter and all. I was a bit worried when you took off down the road, thinking to myself "I hope its not like a lot of other videos where the car has no brakes!" Awesome vid, Derek - made my night :) For my money, I'm of two minds for this old girl. If she was to go back to the road, you might have to put windows in it, a speedometer, seatbelts and all that = let alone lights and indicators and such. Lights and indicators could be mounted on a bar and bolted on / plugged in when needed for the road and taken off when you got to a show, but having to run safety glass just doesn't fit with the spirit of the old girl.....plus I dont know what your roadworthy regulatory authority would think about the suspension brackets and the lack of fenders.....and changing all that is just not right to me. Too much..... But I'd hate to see her be a trailer queen and all. She was built to race and she should, but as you say, nothing would be gained if the car ended up wrecked. Maybe get as much info together as you can about her history and trailer the car to local (or wherever) grass-track and dirt track / gravel speedway meets. Maybe talk to the organisers before the meet, give them her history and how she's a survivor from a bygone age and you'd be happy to take her for a few laps around the track to show the crowd what a REAL old race car can do, while they read out some of the history - especially at any tracks the car was raced on by Luke McLean if any are still going! Maybe start with them as I reckon they'd be right into it - a bonus celebrity returning to her old stomping ground is a great draw card for the organisers Gives you some fun, gets the car known / remembered / exercised as she should be and raises the profile of VGG as well. After the laps, have her parked where people can see her and touch her and get up close with history. People love seeing historic vehicles that were raced "back in the day: still belting along at speed and driven in anger nowadays. It brings them alive and the past lives again.....and you'll find that there will still be some old timers out there who remember her racing and they may have snippets of info to add to your collection on her. The more I think about it, the more I like that idea. Seeing her out churning the turf and making beautiful noise with that classic 38 Coupe shape......man it would be a sight. I'd turn up to watch an historic dirt track beast go out and get dirty like she did in the old days, for sure.....especially if she's raced at the same track we're at long before I was born!

Rat rod it Buddy . It’ll look great put glass or plexiglass for windows sunny day car no wipes required. Fix suspension. And brake lite , head lites , amd old school tune signal , ad a partner seat and move shifter to center . Speedo, fix dents in deck lid and around . Fender optional. But that’s just me . As a street rat rod the numbers of people will love it just a thought

One of the only things worth watching lately. Thank you for you channel!

Excellent addition to the fleet! Amazing you were able to row through the gears with your gigantic balls! Well done sir!

Street legalize it so that everyone can see it's beauty out on the road

Hands down the best road trip I've seen. I was smiling even though i wasn't there but I swear i could smell that old racer. As for what to do.. leave it how it is. Run in once in awhile at the track alone and enjoy it! Looking forward to see more videos on this tracker! ♥️🇺🇸🇺🇸

Derek, I would suggest putting that car on the hoist and thoroughly check every component in the steering and front suspension for excessive play.

suggestion: keep it as is, its a piece of history.

Driving one home with no tags and insurance always made me feel like I stuck it to the-Man! Nothing more fun than that! You must have a really understanding wife by the way!

I love it. I got my start in car culture working on a similar car, but asphalt. Helped to build the last car that Crazy Wally Walling raced full time in the 90s, at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington. And I know what you mean about using whatever was around, in his previous car he sat right in the middle so he used a timing chain and gears hooked to the steering shaft to hook it to the wheel in the center. His stepson Denny ran that car the same year.

I gotta go to work in a couple hours, didn't sleep, stayed up watching VGG all night, so I can't read 4.2k comments, but guaranteed someone had to suggest wheel weights and/or a wore tie rod? Use to get that shimmy in my truck after new tires were installed, long story short guy didn't balance them and had slop in the tie rod.

I do believe that's excited as I have seen a guy ! Love it !😎

I'm 22 and have been watching RU-vid since it was created and this is still my favorite channel of all time. Thank you VGG!!!!

The sound of that engine ticlkels the ears with a sweet note

Thanks for filming this, it's pure gold. Would it be possible to have two setups, road for the shows, and race, well because that's what she is.

This just made my day. Home made everything when men were men!!!!

My first thought on seeing this car was, "This is too nice for VGG." Then on the walk around @8:55, I did see some "weight reduction" in the trunk so it is all good.

Awesome ride Derek , you needed that ride for all the enjoyment you bring to the rest of us. 283 s with regular oil changes never die. Joe

Before you adjust the front I'd love to see you lap the car on dirt. Do some test and tune runs alone. It'd be a blast for you, and I think we all want to see you slide this thing wide open. This car could become like the Cadillac and Chevelle, developing a life and following of their own. - Jeff

Death wobble FTW. Gotta love the OG racecar stuff.