SX4 or Spirit in Monster Jam

[WoodenBirdOfPrey]

Saw this on TV today, Demo Cross trailer race on Monster Jam, I got all excited like I found waldo.  I'm pretty sure it's an SX4, looked like there was some roost from the front tires under acceleration.  It's called Minimum Destruction, painted to look like the truck Max D.  It was actually the featured car in the race, with an on-board camera.  His trailer (half a golf cart) got taken out about halfway through the race but he kept on going and the car looked pretty good at the finish.  I took some pictures but they don't look the greatest because i'm taking pictures off my tv with my phone... but here y'all go.
























If I can figure out how to get the recording from my DVR onto the computer i'll try to upload the video.  I doubt it's going to let me do that though.

[shaggimo]

lol, awesome!

[Hawk258]

Tough call on which it is, Not sure if they removed the fender flares or not, and the grille is no help. i say flip a coin, but if you seen front tire spin under power it is "possible" it is an sx4. Either way pretty cool find.

[El Matador]

Eagle grille, amber turn signals, and it looks like at least the right front flare is still in place.  Definitely an SX/4.  The black bumper and the presence of a rear spoiler indicate it may have even been a sport model.

It better not have been a restorable one.    One less SX/4 out there now... hopefully it at least became a parts donor after that was over.

[jim]

"It better not have been a restorable one.    One less SX/4 out there now... hopefully it at least became a parts donor after that was over"
My thoughts exactly.  As cool as it is, it appears to be not much better than a demo derby.

[Hawk258]

I agree, but I have to say. It went out with a BLAST. I mean it's not like a certain "Legend breaker" show that decided to launch 2 perfect eagles at a massive snowplow...  this one at least was doing something relatively performance worthy... Not just to Bust some "internet rumor"

[rohnk]

When I saw that snow plow episode, I was a bit upset by it. Not to mention that they mocked one up to be a rear engine vehicle by taking the engine out and setting it in the hatch. What a bunch of dunb#$%! Makes a person sick.

[Hawk258]

yeah, I like the premise of the show. but I never did agree with some of their methodology, one prime example is the "Explosive decompression" Passenger Jet test. I know the logistics would be killer, but there is more to it than just pressurizing the cabin... There is also a vacuum of sorts cause you are higher up and have turbulence from passing air from an open window as well.

and the pointless destruction of an item in even relatively working condition to "Entertain" the masses is no excuse. I read this same rant on another blog a while back and using a "Substitute vehicle" was suggested and thrown out due to possible loss of revenue if they used an existing vehicle. Well, I say "There are ways around that. Just us a frame same gauge metal siding and create their own vehicle appearance without releasing the manufacturer. and a destroyed  block and 'Barely acquitted but useable axles to allow the vehicle to be propelled down the test track. Cause honestly there was a 50/50 chance that it could have been a Pickup that hit the plow. even a compact for that matter. and honestly frames aren't exactly "Rare" as you CAN have one jigged up.   

[Sunny]

When I saw that snow plow episode, I was a bit upset by it. Not to mention that they mocked one up to be a rear engine vehicle by taking the engine out and setting it in the hatch. What a bunch of dunb#$%! Makes a person sick.

I actually thought it was really cool when I saw that episode, although I'm a fan of the show.
They probably picked the car's up for a few hundred bucks, if that, they looked for something cheap and found those. If you notice, all of the car's they use in myths are older, cheap to find cars, unless they need something with quite a bit of power.

Not everything they do is perfect, but they do end up with a lot of cool results.

Thing's get destroyed all the time for TV, movies, etc.
How many Chargers did the Dukes of Hazard go through hah.. somewhere around 300 I think.

What's the difference if it gets wrecked like that, or sit's rotting away in a field or junk yard for the remainder of its life.

[rohnk]

Parts potential for one. The other being that neither car appeared to be found in a field.

[n9xvt]

ok,,on the video,,do you have a digital camcorder? of so quality would be kinda weak but doable,,use a tripod or coffee table and go for it,,and i agree at least a sx-4,,very obvious front diff in the nose end,,

on to the destruction of things for a movie/tv/ect... the two fast two furious series made me sick,,they destroied several buick grand national 's,, makes me wanna :cry: and a eagle rates just as highly on my sweet ride list!

until next time i'll be 

[Prafeston]

Usually with more rare cars in movies and shows they just take a fiberglass body and put it on a donor frame.  Especially if they know they will be wrecking it. At least I would think that's what some of them are doing...unfortunately with stuff like the Eagle so cheap to come by those aren't faked!

Anytime someone is destroying a car just to destroy it they should go first to the easily accessible and cheap cars that no one cars about like Cavaliers, Sunfires, Escorts...etc. Those things are all a dime a dozen and cheap!

[Hawk258]

unfortunately that only started being done during Knight riders run, They did use fiber glass later, but even the new Dukes of hazzard movie used real chargers. but they didn't "Attempt" stunts they just launched the cars. I mean The Dukes T.V. series did destroy tons of Chargers and it is sad. However some things did come out of it as the stunt drivers did get to show off some skills, and admittedly if it wasn't for dukes I feel that the Charger would have been regulated to history on the NASCAR track and maybe The movie "Bullet"

Personally, It is a very difficult line to walk. Between Destruction for the sake of entertainment, or Destruction for entertainment with the application of skill of the individual operating the car and the performance of the vehicle.
I mean The "Original" T.V. series at least set Records for jumps as well as the fact that many of those vehicles were  salvaged later even if the all the information was never released to the public.

Where as the new Dukes movie just catapulted the car... No skill, no performance, nothing to show for it other than just a nice scene in a movie and the destruction of a car. same applies in my opinion for how mythbusters handled the whole mess.

[Sunny]

Anytime someone is destroying a car just to destroy it they should go first to the easily accessible and cheap cars that no one cars about like Cavaliers, Sunfires, Escorts...etc. Those things are all a dime a dozen and cheap!

That's where it becomes difficult.
Most people don't care about Eagles, and they are cheap to come by.

Some people love Cavaliers like you love your Eagle, and they think well why should a Cavalier be damaged, when you can damage a ____.

It's a revolving cycle. No one wants their cars destroyed, but has no issue with anything else.

[Sunny]

Parts potential for one. The other being that neither car appeared to be found in a field.

I don't really think most people think about the parts potential when buying a 'beater' hah.
There is very few car's from the 80s that people hold in high regard.