Rambling Wreck
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The Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech is the name of the official mascot of the student body at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The Ramblin' Wreck is a 1930 Ford Model A Sports Coupe and it embodies the spirit, tradition, and passion of Tech. The Wreck is present at all major sporting events and student body functions. Its most noticeable role is leading the football team onto Historic Grant Field at Bobby Dodd Stadium, a duty which the Wreck has performed since 1961. The Ramblin' Wreck has been mechanically and financially maintained on campus by students in the Ramblin' Reck Club since the early 1970's.
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[edit] History
The first "mechanical mascot" at Georgia Tech was a 1914 Ford Model T owned by Dean Floyd Field. The student body nicknamed the vehicle Floyd's Flubber and there was even mention of the vehicle in The Technique as the "Ramblin' Reck" as early as 1927. The Model T was in poor condition and to the dismay of the student body it was discarded by Dean Field in 1928.
Dean Field started "an Old Ford Race" from Atlanta to Athens in 1929. The race was nicknamed the Flying Flivver Race and was quite shortlived. [1] The Tech administration disliked the perilous race and reduced the race to a more peaceful and regulated parade of contraptions. The first Wreck parade was in 1932 and has been the centerpiece of Tech homecomings ever since.[2]
Dean of Student Affairs Jim Dull began search for a new symbol for Georgia Tech. He wanted a classic Ford to represent the school. His search would take him throughout the state and country but no suitable vehicle was found. Finally in 1961, Dean Dull spotted a polished 1930 Ford Model A at a Florida State track meet. The owner was Captain Charles Johnson, a Delta Airlines pilot. Dull offered him $1,000 dollars for the car. Johnson agreed to take the money but would eventually return it so that the car would be remembered as a donation to Georgia Tech.[3]
The new Ramblin' Wreck was not unveiled until September 30, 1961 at Grant Field in front of 43,501 Tech fans as it lead the team onto the field against Rice University. The team prevailed 24-0 and the Wreck became an instant success within the Tech family. The Wreck has lead the team onto the field every home game ever since.[4]
The current color scheme was selected in 1974 by then athletic director and former head coach Bobby Dodd. The old wooden GTA shield was the first thing removed from the Wreck. He chose the old gold body paint from a Lincoln car paint catalogue. He also placed a GT shield on the door, a Tech helmet on the rear quarter panel, and a 1952 version of the Yellow Jacket on the hood. During this time and until his retirement, Pete George maintained the Ramblin' Wreck at the Hapeville Ford Plant.[5]
George would mastermind a major refurbishment of the Wreck in 1985 for Georgia Tech's centennial celebration. The car was completely disassembled, rebuilt, and repainted.
[edit] 1985 Changes
There were a few noticeable changes to the Ramblin' Wreck after this refurbishment. An aftermarket chrome stone cover was added to protect the grill. [6] The emblems on the side were removed and replaced by a basic GT on the doors. The 1952 Yellow Jackets were repainted on to the front tire wells. The white horn was chromed over. The old tire cover was a shield with a football helmet wearing yellow jacket. This was replaced with a white generic Ford tire cover. The biggest structural change was a support system attached to the car's frame. The support system runs the length of the running boards. This would allow the increased weight of cheerleaders or Reck Club members to stand on the runningboards for rides around campus and onto the football field. [7]
[edit] Specifics
There are several lesser known details about the Wreck that are easily missed as it zips by on Techwood Drive. Details such as its specific physical details and the actual person behind the wheel are often missed or overlooked.
The Wreck is distinguished by its old gold body and white soft top. The soft top has a chrome support strut, which features a brass classic Tech T and yellow jacket. The body also has two solid white runningboards, which run the length of the vehicle and support cheerleaders or the occasional Techies looking for a ride. The interior upholstery is gold and white striped leather. The gear shifter knob is a white globe with with the classic T. There are two golden flags emblazoned with the words "To Hell With Georgia" and "Give 'Em Hell Tech" fastened to the front fender.
The Driver of the Ramblin' Wreck is an elected position with the Ramblin' Reck Club determined after every football season. It is a member of Ramblin' Reck Club who has shown excellent spirit, knowledge of traditions and history, and mechanical prowess for working on the Wreck. The Driver of the Wreck was originally the Junior Class Representative until the early 1970's when the Reck Club took complete control of the Ramblin' Wreck's upkeep.
The Driver gets to add his own personal touch every year to the Wreck. The front plate is chosen by the driver every year and the radiator cap is replaced yearly. The cap is usually either a flying quail or a wreath.
[edit] Famous Incidents
There are several famous incidents involving the Ramblin' Wreck's history and most of these incidents involve the Wreck getting wrecked. A lot of the incidents are related to taking the Wreck to away games, which was a common practice until the most notorious incident involving a firearm. After the 1968 victory over Auburn University, an angered Auburn fan shot the radiator with a rifle from his dormitory window. This would be the last time the Wreck traveled to a hostile site. A rule was instituted by Georgia Tech after this game that the Wreck would only travel to friendly or neutral sites (e.g. 2004 Basketball Final Four, College World Series, etc.).
In 1962, the Ramblin' Wreck was leading the team out of the tunnel at the University of Tennessee and the Volunteer fans poured orange paint on to the Wreck as it exited. The Wreck has also been stolen by University of Georgia fans twice. [8]
[edit] False Wrecks
There are several vehicles that claim "Ramblin' Wreck status." The most famous of these Wrecks is a 1931 Ford Model A Cabriolet. This vehicle was refurbished along with the real Wreck in 1985 and auctioned for $250,000 by Pete George. Pete actually bought back the car and donated it to the Alumni Association, where it has served as a semi-mascot ever since. The car is distinguished by its spare tire locations on the driver's side and passenger's side runningboards. It also has a convertible top. The real Wreck's spare is behind the rumble seat and cannot remove its roof.[9]
There is also a 1930 Ford Model A Sports Coupe shell in the Georgia Tech Hotel. This car has never worked since it has been on campus. The shell lacks a complete rear end and does not have the current Wreck's chrome stone guard. [10]
There are also several alumni owned vehicles that are painted to resemble the Wreck. All of these vehicles mimic the look and feel of the Wreck but are not the Ramblin' Wreck.
[edit] See Also
- Buzz - The other mascot for the Institute
- Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate - The rivalry between Tech and UGA
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - The Athletics Teams of Georgia Tech
- Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech - The fight song of Georgia Tech
