Drag-and-Drive Friends Tackle Death Week in a ’73 Torino Wagon
All it takes is one friend to alter your viewpoint on cars and racing them. For Zack Rudy, he was already into cars, but Jarrod Aspegren would ratchet that interest up a couple notches.
Jarrod was already into the drag-and-drive scene with his fifth-generation Camaro (see our ‘Wreckers to Checkers..’ feature from September 29th in the news feed), and Zack was a willing participant to listen to his pleas to join Jarrod on the proving grounds of real street cars.
“I own and operate Rudy's Classic Auto, specialize in classic car parts, and I have 600 cars and tens of thousands of parts,” said Zack. “So, when Jarrod got me into drag-and-drive, I had a plethora of cars and trucks to build.”
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But despite a big chunk to choose from, Zack wanted to be different, he wanted something no one else campaigned. “2 years ago, I went down to Kansas to look at some cars, and an old man said he had a wagon in my shed covered in ‘stuff,’ said Zack.
Turned out that wagon was a 1973 Ford Torino wagon base model, of which they produced under 30,000 copies in 1973. “It was that dry shed for over 30 years, motor and tranny already gutted,” Zack admitted. “I instantly loved the car.” He made the deal for 450 bucks cash, pulled it home, and contemplated what to do next.
After completing several drag-and-drive events with Jarrod, Zack figured he needed to slide behind the wheel and jumped in with both feet. Because Jarrod likely felt guilty about bringing Zack into the fold, he offered up space at his business, Aspegren Repair in Sutton, Nebraska, for the wagon to come back to life.
“6 months before Rocky Mountain Race Week (RMRW) 2.0 2022, I started a ground up build,” said Zack. “I never built a race car, or raced down the strip in my life. So, it was a new adventure for sure.”
The Torino was stripped of its suspension, and a custom built 4-link took up residence in the rear, with custom crossmembers as well. Zack decided bigger is better on power, so a 385 series big block Ford of 521 cubic inches got the nod. “Due to country wide parts issue and availability, it was a very frustrating time to build something like this,” Zack said. But the Ford engine was completed, with good rotating parts in the short block complemented by stock cylinder heads and a Holley Terminator X EFI system as the cherry on top.
A 4L80E 4-speed overdrive transmission got the nod to go behind the engine, Zack slipped a Posi and 3.70 gear set in the stock and simple rear end.
For a custom touch, Zack grafted a ‘72 Torino Sport scoop into his ’73 hood to complement an otherwise stock, patina exterior. Inside, a pair of 1972 Torino bucket seats and a console took their place.
With the wagon complete, Zack set his sights on RMRW 2.0 2022. “Literally right before were all loaded up to head to Oklahoma, my wife and I take the wagon for a 5-mile drive,” said Zack. “3 miles in, I blew the rear cam plug out. I was defeated; I went inside for a little time for myself, and when I came back out, my buddies had it loaded.”
The cam plug was complemented by a blown front transmission seal, and when trying to fix that, the brand torque converter was discovered to have the hub welded on off center. “The next morning, the first day of RMRW, I somehow find a transmission shop to rebuilt my brand-new trans,” said Zack.
The fix lasted for a bit, but Zack had to snatch the transmission out again during the week. His determination earned him the ‘Rookie of the Year’ honors. “That was pretty special to me after the whole build,” said Zack. “All the pain and suffering, blood, sweat and tears, and being the first time I’ve ever drag raced in my life.”
2023 has found Zack at ‘Cruise and Lose’ early in the year, and just now completing RMRW 2.0, but big on his radar is Death Week. “This death week trip is going to be pretty special,” he said. “All 3 of us are taking our sons for the ultimate sons outing.
“The attraction to Death Week is the challenge and the kick ass places we’re going to see, and honestly a good chance the last time you’re going to see some of those places. The comradery with buddies and our sons is something pretty special, we all know how to be ready with each other, know when push, pull, laugh, cry, criticize, help, step back. that comes with a lot of hours together.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Zack Rudy.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com