Ramblin' Wreck: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|One of two official mascots of the Georgia Institute of Technology}} |
{{Short description|One of two official mascots of the Georgia Institute of Technology}} |
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{{featured article}} |
{{featured article}} |
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[[File:Fixed Ramblin' Wreck.jpg|thumb|300px|The Ramblin' |
[[File:Fixed Ramblin' Wreck.jpg|thumb|300px|The Ramblin' Reck with cheerleaders and [[Buzz (mascot)|Buzz]] at a football game against [[Samford Bulldogs|Samford]] in 2007.]] |
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[[File:ramblinwreck.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Ramblin' |
[[File:ramblinwreck.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Ramblin' Reck leading the Yellow Jackets onto the field against [[Maryland Terrapins|Maryland]] in 2006|alt=Six women, wearing a uniform of a white skirt and a white and gold cropped top with the word "Tech" on the front, ride onto the football field on the running boards and rear seat of a white-and-gold-painted antique car.]] |
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The '''Ramblin' |
The '''Ramblin' Reck''' is the 1930 [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] [[Ford Model A (1927)|Model A]] [[Sport coupe]] that serves as the official mascot of the student body at the [[Georgia Institute of Technology]]. The Reck is present at all major sporting events and student body functions. Its most noticeable role is leading the [[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|football team]] into [[Bobby Dodd Stadium|Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field]], a duty which the Reck has performed since 1961. The Ramblin' Reck is mechanically and financially maintained on campus by students in Ramblin' Reck Club. |
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The first mechanical |
The first mechanical Reck was a 1914 [[Ford Model T]] owned by Dean Floyd Field. Until the current Reck was donated to the school in 1961, most of the early Ramblin' Recks were owned by students, faculty or alumni. The modern Reck has donned a number of different paint jobs and has had several restorations and modifications made to it. These changes were made by various individuals and organizations over the years, including [[Bobby Dodd]] and Georgia Tech Alumnus Pete George, who worked at the [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] [[Atlanta Assembly|plant]] in [[Hapeville, Georgia]]. The upkeep of the Reck has been the sole responsibility of Ramblin' Reck Club and the Reck driver since 1987. |
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The Ramblin' |
The Ramblin' Reck has been the target of several pranks perpetrated by rival schools; the [[University of Tennessee]] once provided the Reck with an unsolicited new paint job, and the [[University of Georgia]] has stolen the Reck on at least two occasions. Several replica or "false" Recks are owned by alumni, or are used for display and do not run. The official Ramblin' Reck is considered the only "true" Reck, and no backups or replacements exist. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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[[File:Dean Floyd Field Edited.jpg|right|thumb|Dean Floyd "[[bobcat|BobCat]]" Field, owner of the first "Ramblin' |
[[File:Dean Floyd Field Edited.jpg|right|thumb|Dean Floyd "[[bobcat|BobCat]]" Field, owner of the first "Ramblin' Reck"]] |
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The term "Ramblin' Wreck" has been used to refer to students and alumni of Georgia Tech |
The term "Ramblin' Wreck" has been used to refer to students and alumni of Georgia Tech, but not the car itself. The Reck has its origins in the late 19th century and was used originally to refer to the makeshift motorized vehicles constructed by Georgia Tech engineers employed in projects in the jungles of Central America.<ref name="survivalguide">{{cite news|url=http://technique.library.gatech.edu/pdfs/freshman_survival_guide-2002-08-23.pdf|format=PDF|title=Freshman Survival Guide|work=[[The Technique]]|date=2002-08-23|access-date=2007-04-30}}</ref> The Recks were constructed from whatever the engineers could find—mostly old tractor and automotive parts—and were kept running by the engineers' ingenuity and creativity. Other workers in the area began to refer to these vehicles and the men who drove them as "Rambling Wrecks from Georgia Tech."<ref name="survivalguide"/> |
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The first "mechanical mascot" at Georgia Tech was a 1914 [[Ford Model T]] owned by Dean Floyd Field. Field drove the car to and from class every day from 1916 until 1928.<ref name="modelT1">{{Cite news| title = Field claims First "Reck" Started His U.S. Travels| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| date = 1946-06-15}}</ref> Field cared so much for the car that he even nicknamed it "Nellie".<ref name="modelT6">{{Cite news| title = Verse & Worse| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| date = 1928-10-05}}</ref> The vehicle was distinguished by its metallic black paint job and a large black box fastened to the rear end by a [[Horse and buggy|buggy]] wheel hoop. The black box's contents were never revealed to the student body and the box became part of the mystique of the Old Ford.<ref name="modelT2">{{Cite news| title = Oldest Ford on Campus is Property of Dean of Men| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| page = 3| date = 1925-11-20}}</ref> |
The first "mechanical mascot" at Georgia Tech was a 1914 [[Ford Model T]] owned by Dean Floyd Field. Field drove the car to and from class every day from 1916 until 1928.<ref name="modelT1">{{Cite news| title = Field claims First "Reck" Started His U.S. Travels| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| date = 1946-06-15}}</ref> Field cared so much for the car that he even nicknamed it "Nellie".<ref name="modelT6">{{Cite news| title = Verse & Worse| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| date = 1928-10-05}}</ref> The vehicle was distinguished by its metallic black paint job and a large black box fastened to the rear end by a [[Horse and buggy|buggy]] wheel hoop. The black box's contents were never revealed to the student body and the box became part of the mystique of the Old Ford.<ref name="modelT2">{{Cite news| title = Oldest Ford on Campus is Property of Dean of Men| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| page = 3| date = 1925-11-20}}</ref> |
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Dean Field found a love for travel with his Model T.<ref name="modelT1"/> He took it all the way to California for seminars on mathematics and education.<ref name="modelT1"/> However, in 1927 rumors began to abound campus that Field was going to buy a Model A.<ref name="modelT5">{{Cite news| title = Dean Field Does Not Choose to Purchase New Ford – Ramblin’ Reck to Run in 1928| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| pages = 1, 3| date = 1927-12-16}}</ref> Field quelled the rumors with a personal interview in the last issue of the 1927 ''[[the Technique|Technique]]''. By September 1928, Field felt he could not travel as much with the dilapidated Model T. To the dismay of the student body the vehicle was discarded by Dean Field in 1928 and a Model A was purchased.<ref name="modelT3">{{Cite news| title = "Rambling Reck" Goes Into the Past And Is Replaced by the Up-to-Date| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| pages = 2, 8| date = 1928-09-28}}</ref> Field's Model A lasted until 1934 in which he bought a [[Ford Model B (1932)|Ford V8]]. He would drive over {{convert|122000|mi|km|-2}} in all three cars during his Georgia Tech tenure of 1900–1945.<ref name="modelT1"/> |
Dean Field found a love for travel with his Model T.<ref name="modelT1"/> He took it all the way to California for seminars on mathematics and education.<ref name="modelT1"/> However, in 1927 rumors began to abound campus that Field was going to buy a Model A.<ref name="modelT5">{{Cite news| title = Dean Field Does Not Choose to Purchase New Ford – Ramblin’ Reck to Run in 1928| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| pages = 1, 3| date = 1927-12-16}}</ref> Field quelled the rumors with a personal interview in the last issue of the 1927 ''[[the Technique|Technique]]''. By September 1928, Field felt he could not travel as much with the dilapidated Model T. To the dismay of the student body the vehicle was discarded by Dean Field in 1928 and a Model A was purchased.<ref name="modelT3">{{Cite news| title = "Rambling Reck" Goes Into the Past And Is Replaced by the Up-to-Date| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| pages = 2, 8| date = 1928-09-28}}</ref> Field's Model A lasted until 1934 in which he bought a [[Ford Model B (1932)|Ford V8]]. He would drive over {{convert|122000|mi|km|-2}} in all three cars during his Georgia Tech tenure of 1900–1945.<ref name="modelT1"/> |
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[[File:ramblinwreckengine.jpg|left|thumb|The Ramblin' |
[[File:ramblinwreckengine.jpg|left|thumb|The Ramblin' Reck engine, built in October 1929]] |
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In memoriam to his retired "[[Tin Lizzie]]", Dean Field started "an Old Ford Race" from the intersection of North Avenue and Techwood Drive in [[Atlanta]] to the intersection of Hills Street and Prince Avenue in [[Athens, Georgia|Athens]]. The race was sponsored by the ''Technique'', which nicknamed the event the "Flying Flivver Race."<ref name="fordrace">{{Cite news| title = Technique to Sponsor Old Collegiate Auto Race to Athens| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| page = 1| date = 1929-05-03}}</ref> The finish line was facilitated by the [[University of Georgia]] student newspaper ''[[The Red and Black]]''.<ref name="fordrace2">{{Cite news| title = Annual Old Car Race to Start Tomorrow| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| page = 6| date = 1930-05-09}}</ref> The only rule of the race was that the car had to be a pre-1926 [[Straight-4|4-cylinder]] motor car.<ref name="fordrace2"/> The fastest time in the race was achieved by an [[Essex (automobile)|Essex]] which completed the 79-mile (126 km) race in 1 hour and 26 minutes or 55 mph (88 km/h).<ref name="fordrace3">{{Cite news| title = Pruitt Wins Old Car Race| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| page = 6| date = 1930-05-16}}</ref> |
In memoriam to his retired "[[Tin Lizzie]]", Dean Field started "an Old Ford Race" from the intersection of North Avenue and Techwood Drive in [[Atlanta]] to the intersection of Hills Street and Prince Avenue in [[Athens, Georgia|Athens]]. The race was sponsored by the ''Technique'', which nicknamed the event the "Flying Flivver Race."<ref name="fordrace">{{Cite news| title = Technique to Sponsor Old Collegiate Auto Race to Athens| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| page = 1| date = 1929-05-03}}</ref> The finish line was facilitated by the [[University of Georgia]] student newspaper ''[[The Red and Black]]''.<ref name="fordrace2">{{Cite news| title = Annual Old Car Race to Start Tomorrow| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| page = 6| date = 1930-05-09}}</ref> The only rule of the race was that the car had to be a pre-1926 [[Straight-4|4-cylinder]] motor car.<ref name="fordrace2"/> The fastest time in the race was achieved by an [[Essex (automobile)|Essex]] which completed the 79-mile (126 km) race in 1 hour and 26 minutes or 55 mph (88 km/h).<ref name="fordrace3">{{Cite news| title = Pruitt Wins Old Car Race| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| page = 6| date = 1930-05-16}}</ref> |
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The Tech administration disliked the perilous race and reduced the race to a more peaceful and regulated parade of contraptions known as the [[Georgia tech traditions#Wreck Parade|Ramblin' |
The Tech administration disliked the perilous race and reduced the race to a more peaceful and regulated parade of contraptions known as the [[Georgia tech traditions#Wreck Parade|Ramblin' Reck Parade]] after races were completed in 1929 and 1930. The Yellow Jacket Club facilitated the first official Ramblin' Reck parade in 1932.<ref name="tbook1">{{Cite journal| title = Ramblin' Reck Parade| work = 2008–2009 Georgia Tech Freshmen T-Book| publisher = Georgia Tech Student Publications| page = 13| date = 2008-07-01}}</ref> The only break in the parade's continuous operation occurred with the onset of World War II. There were no parades from 1942 to 1943 and when the parade did continue in 1944, all Recks had to be human powered.<ref name="fuelshortage">{{cite news|first=Gary |last=Goettling |url=http://gtalumni.org/Publications/techtopics/spr95/ww2.html |title=World War II and the Tech Connection |work=Tech Topics |date=Spring 1995 |access-date=2007-05-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012134450/http://gtalumni.org/Publications/techtopics/spr95/ww2.html |archive-date=October 12, 2007 }}</ref> In 1946, the Ramblin' Reck Parade was allowed to operate combustion engines again.<ref name="fuelshortage"/> The rules instituted in the 1946 Reck Parade still remain as the parade has become the featured event for all Tech homecomings.<ref name="clubhistory">{{cite web|url=http://cyberbuzz.gatech.edu/reck/reckHistory.php|title=History of the Ramblin' Reck|publisher=Ramblin' Reck Club|access-date=2007-03-04 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070210154938/http://cyberbuzz.gatech.edu/reck/reckHistory.php <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-02-10}}</ref> |
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=== Mascot for students === |
=== Mascot for students === |
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Dean of Student Affairs [[James E. Dull|Jim Dull]] recognized a need for an official Ramblin' |
Dean of Student Affairs [[James E. Dull|Jim Dull]] recognized a need for an official Ramblin' Reck when he observed the student body's fascination with classic cars. Fraternities, in particular, would parade around their House Recks as displays of school spirit and enthusiasm. It was considered a [[rite of passage]] to own a broken down vehicle.<ref name="driveon">{{cite news|first=Andrew |last=Guyton |url=http://dev.nique.gatech.edu/issues/2007-06-29/focus/3 |title=Ramblin' Reck drives on |work=[[The Technique]] |date=2007-06-29 |access-date=2007-08-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906151927/http://dev.nique.gatech.edu/issues/2007-06-29/focus/3 |archive-date=2008-09-06 }}</ref><ref name="gagirl">{{cite news|first=Mary|last=Cobb|title = Georgia Girl owns $25 Tech Reck| work = Atlanta Constitution| date = 1951-05-13}}</ref> |
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In 1960, Dull began a search for a new official symbol to represent the institute. He specifically wanted a classic pre-[[World War II|war]] Ford. Dull's search would entail newspaper ads, radio commercials, and other means to locate this vehicle. The search took him throughout the state and country, but no suitable vehicle was found until the autumn of 1960. Dean Dull spotted a polished 1930 Ford Model A outside of his apartment located in [[Towers Hall (Georgia Tech)|Towers Dormitory]]. The owner was Captain Ted J. Johnson, Atlanta's chief [[Delta Air Lines]] pilot.<ref name="driveon"/> |
In 1960, Dull began a search for a new official symbol to represent the institute. He specifically wanted a classic pre-[[World War II|war]] Ford. Dull's search would entail newspaper ads, radio commercials, and other means to locate this vehicle. The search took him throughout the state and country, but no suitable vehicle was found until the autumn of 1960. Dean Dull spotted a polished 1930 Ford Model A outside of his apartment located in [[Towers Hall (Georgia Tech)|Towers Dormitory]]. The owner was Captain Ted J. Johnson, Atlanta's chief [[Delta Air Lines]] pilot.<ref name="driveon"/> |
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|date=June 1958}}</ref> The two spent two years and over $1,800 restoring the vehicle.<ref name="images">{{Cite book| title = Images & Memories, Georgia Tech: 1885–1985|author1=B. Eugene Griessman |author2=Sarah Evelyn Jackson |author3=Annibel Jenkins |author3-link=Annibel Jenkins | publisher = [[Georgia Tech Foundation]]| pages = 218–219| year = 1985}}</ref> Johnson used spare parts from many different sources to refurbish the rusty hulk. He bought the [[mahogany]] dash from a parts dealer in [[Caracas|Caracas, Venezuela]] and used [[Convair CV-240#Variants|Convair 440]] aluminum sheets to replace the flooring. After Craig graduated from high school, he attended [[Florida State University|Florida State]] on a track scholarship. In 1960, Craig's track team would be in Atlanta competing against Tech. Johnson, wanting to see his son compete, took the Model A to Tech campus, parked it near Towers dormitory, and went to watch Craig compete.<ref name="images"/> |
|date=June 1958}}</ref> The two spent two years and over $1,800 restoring the vehicle.<ref name="images">{{Cite book| title = Images & Memories, Georgia Tech: 1885–1985|author1=B. Eugene Griessman |author2=Sarah Evelyn Jackson |author3=Annibel Jenkins |author3-link=Annibel Jenkins | publisher = [[Georgia Tech Foundation]]| pages = 218–219| year = 1985}}</ref> Johnson used spare parts from many different sources to refurbish the rusty hulk. He bought the [[mahogany]] dash from a parts dealer in [[Caracas|Caracas, Venezuela]] and used [[Convair CV-240#Variants|Convair 440]] aluminum sheets to replace the flooring. After Craig graduated from high school, he attended [[Florida State University|Florida State]] on a track scholarship. In 1960, Craig's track team would be in Atlanta competing against Tech. Johnson, wanting to see his son compete, took the Model A to Tech campus, parked it near Towers dormitory, and went to watch Craig compete.<ref name="images"/> |
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When Johnson returned to his car, he found a note from Dean Dull attached to his windshield. Dull's note offered to purchase the car to serve as Georgia Tech's official mascot. Johnson, after great deliberation, agreed to take $1,000, but eventually returned the money in 1984 so that the car would be remembered as an official donation to Georgia Tech and the Alexander-Tharpe Fund.<ref name="images"/> The Ramblin' |
When Johnson returned to his car, he found a note from Dean Dull attached to his windshield. Dull's note offered to purchase the car to serve as Georgia Tech's official mascot. Johnson, after great deliberation, agreed to take $1,000, but eventually returned the money in 1984 so that the car would be remembered as an official donation to Georgia Tech and the Alexander-Tharpe Fund.<ref name="images"/> The Ramblin' Reck was officially transferred to the Athletic Association on May 26, 1961.<ref name="clubhistory"/> |
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The Ramblin' |
The Ramblin' Reck was unveiled September 30, 1961, at Grant Field in front of 43,501 Tech fans, as it led the team onto the field against [[Rice Owls football|Rice University]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/083006aed.html|title=Rambling Reck a Georgia Tech icon – with fumes|agency=Associated Press|date=2006-08-30|access-date=2007-03-04}}</ref> The team prevailed 24–0 and the Reck became an instant success within the Tech family.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/acc/georgia_tech/yearly_results.php?year=1960 |title=Georgia Tech Yearly Results, 1960–1964 |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |access-date=2007-03-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211143956/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ia/acc/georgia_tech/yearly_results.php?year=1960 |archive-date=February 11, 2007 }}</ref> |
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The |
The Reck has since led the team onto the field for every home game.<ref name="espn">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1PYB5WtXMw| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/C1PYB5WtXMw| archive-date=2021-11-14 | url-status=live|title=Ramblin' Reck featured on ESPN First Take|publisher=YouTube|access-date=2007-09-10}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |
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=== Bobby Dodd's restorations === |
=== Bobby Dodd's restorations === |
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[[File:Ga Tech Homecoming 1969-1.jpg|thumb|alt=caption|The Ramblin’ |
[[File:Ga Tech Homecoming 1969-1.jpg|thumb|alt=caption|The Ramblin’ Reck at the 1969 Tech homecoming parade shown in its original color scheme]] |
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The current color scheme was selected in 1974 by then athletic director and former head coach [[Bobby Dodd]]. The original |
The current color scheme was selected in 1974 by then athletic director and former head coach [[Bobby Dodd]]. The original Reck decor featured a wooden GT shield on both the driver- and passenger-side doors. This shield was removed during Dodd's revitalization of the old Model A. Dodd chose an [[Old Gold|old gold]] paint from a [[Lincoln (automobile)|Lincoln]] car paint catalogue as the base for the new color scheme.<ref name="dull"/> He also placed a slightly stretched GT emblem on the door, a Tech helmet on the rear quarter panel, and a 1952 version of the Yellow Jacket on the front quarter panel. According to Tech lore, Bobby Dodd was so enamored with the Lincoln gold, he changed the football helmet and uniform color to match the new Ramblin' Reck paint scheme.<ref name="rtroll"/> |
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The biggest structural change was a support system attached to the car's frame. The support system runs the length of the running boards and allows the increased weight of cheerleaders or Reck Club members standing on the running boards.<ref name="godfather">{{cite news | title = 'Godfather of the Reck' – Pete George Restored Tech's Model A | work = Tech Topics | publisher = Georgia Tech Alumni Association | date = Spring 2004}}</ref> |
The biggest structural change was a support system attached to the car's frame. The support system runs the length of the running boards and allows the increased weight of cheerleaders or Reck Club members standing on the running boards.<ref name="godfather">{{cite news | title = 'Godfather of the Reck' – Pete George Restored Tech's Model A | work = Tech Topics | publisher = Georgia Tech Alumni Association | date = Spring 2004}}</ref> |
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=== Pete George's restorations === |
=== Pete George's restorations === |
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From 1973 to 1987, 1947 [[industrial engineering|IE]] alum Pete George maintained the Ramblin' |
From 1973 to 1987, 1947 [[industrial engineering|IE]] alum Pete George maintained the Ramblin' Reck at the [[Hapeville, Georgia|Hapeville]] Ford Plant.<ref name="carcollector">{{cite news|first=Preston|last=Stevens|title = The Ramblin' Reck from Georgia Tech| work = Car Collector & Car Classics| publisher = Classic Publishing, Inc.|date=December 1991}}</ref> George would mastermind the 1974 change of colors as well as a major refurbishment of the Reck in 1982 in time for Georgia Tech's 1985 centennial celebration. The car was completely disassembled, rebuilt, and repainted by late 1982.<ref name="godfather"/><ref name="Reck82">{{cite news|first=Norman|last=Arey|title = 'Ramblin' Reck' has facelift too| work = Atlanta Journal-Constitution| date = 1982-09-10}}</ref> |
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There were a few noticeable changes to the Ramblin' |
There were a few noticeable changes to the Ramblin' Reck after the 1982 refurbishment.<ref name="tbook2">{{Cite journal| title = Ramblin' Reck| work = 2008–2009 Georgia Tech Freshmen T-Book| publisher = Georgia Tech Student Publications| page = 15| date = 2008-07-01}}</ref> An aftermarket [[Chrome plating|chrome]] stone guard was added to protect the grill, The emblems on the side were removed and replaced by a basic GT decal on the doors. The 1952 Yellow Jackets were moved 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 [[naugahyde]] Ford tire cover. The blackwall tires and brakes were replaced with [[whitewall tire]]s and modified brakes.<ref name="carcollector"/> |
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[[File:RamblinWrecktag.jpg|left|thumb|The Ramblin' |
[[File:RamblinWrecktag.jpg|left|thumb|The Ramblin' Reck license plate was issued in 1958. The Reck is Georgia Historical Vehicle#563.]] |
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The |
The Reck experienced a major transition of ownership after the Centennial Celebration. Since Reck Club had financially maintained the vehicle for so long and Reck Club fell under the Dean of Students rather than the Athletic Association, the vehicle was sold from the Athletic Association to the Institute for zero dollars in 1987. The transaction further solidified Reck Club's responsibilities over the car but also made the car more than simply a football mascot. The Old Ford was officially an Institute icon.<ref name="driveon" /> |
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=== Post-centennial restoration and change of ownership === |
=== Post-centennial restoration and change of ownership === |
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After Pete George's retirement in 1987, the upkeep of the |
After Pete George's retirement in 1987, the upkeep of the Reck fell directly upon the shoulders of the Reck Drivers and Reck Club. In 1994, the Hapeville Plant ended their relationship with Reck Club. Since then, the Reck has been student maintained with the assistance of local Atlanta garages. The Reck has had numerous mechanical and cosmetic repairs over the years since Pete George's initial full rebuild.<ref name="rtroll"/> |
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After 1994, Reck Club restored the wheels and brakes to original Model A specifications. Reck Club performed a major off body restoration in the Spring of 2000 that saw the car repainted and the engine rebuilt.<ref name="driveon"/> Pete George, although several years retired, aided Reck Club in its restoration providing funding and labor to the 2000 restoration. After the restoration, a small modification replaced the [[electrical generator]] with a more efficient Nu-Rex [[alternator]].<ref name="tbook2"/> |
After 1994, Reck Club restored the wheels and brakes to original Model A specifications. Reck Club performed a major off body restoration in the Spring of 2000 that saw the car repainted and the engine rebuilt.<ref name="driveon"/> Pete George, although several years retired, aided Reck Club in its restoration providing funding and labor to the 2000 restoration. After the restoration, a small modification replaced the [[electrical generator]] with a more efficient Nu-Rex [[alternator]].<ref name="tbook2"/> |
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=== 2007 highway accident === |
=== 2007 highway accident === |
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Reck Club coordinated their second major restoration following damage incurred during a highway accident on June 22, 2007, on [[Interstate 75]] in [[Monroe County, Georgia|Monroe County]], about 60 miles south of [[Atlanta]]. Though trailered, the crash caused severe damage to the body and top of the Ramblin' |
Reck Club coordinated their second major restoration following damage incurred during a highway accident on June 22, 2007, on [[Interstate 75]] in [[Monroe County, Georgia|Monroe County]], about 60 miles south of [[Atlanta]]. Though trailered, the crash caused severe damage to the body and top of the Ramblin' Reck, while the [[Ford Expedition]] and trailer in tow were both damaged. Fourth-year Polymer, Textile, and Fiber Engineering major John Bird was driving, with his younger brother Matt, and recalled for the press: |
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{{Quote|text=Something in the trailer failed, and the trailer pulled us off the road going 70 miles an hour. We went perpendicular to the lanes of traffic, and we crashed into a ditch on the side of the road... There wasn’t any fishtailing... The trailer just snapped and made a 90 degree turn, and I just said ‘Matt, hold on’ and we hit the ditch. The whole thing lasted about 2 seconds... The left side is smashed up pretty good and the roof is torn up... but the motor is fine and all the wheels are fine." |author=John Bird |source=Highway accident damages Ramblinʼ |
{{Quote|text=Something in the trailer failed, and the trailer pulled us off the road going 70 miles an hour. We went perpendicular to the lanes of traffic, and we crashed into a ditch on the side of the road... There wasn’t any fishtailing... The trailer just snapped and made a 90 degree turn, and I just said ‘Matt, hold on’ and we hit the ditch. The whole thing lasted about 2 seconds... The left side is smashed up pretty good and the roof is torn up... but the motor is fine and all the wheels are fine." |author=John Bird |source=Highway accident damages Ramblinʼ Reck<ref>{{cite web|url=https://smartech.gatech.edu/bitstream/handle/1853/15588/2007-06-29.pdf|title=''Highway accident damages Ramblinʼ Reck''|first1=Craig|last1=Tabita|date=June 29, 2007|publisher=Georgia Tech Technique}}</ref>}} |
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Bird had stated that both his brother and he got whiplash from the crash, one of Matt's legs was bruised, and "it also could have |
Bird had stated that both his brother and he got whiplash from the crash, one of Matt's legs was bruised, and "it also could have |
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been a lot worse."<ref name="rtroll">{{Cite news| title = Ramblin' |
been a lot worse."<ref name="rtroll">{{Cite news| title = Ramblin' Reck's repairs roll along – Will Georgia Tech icon be good as gold for game?| newspaper = [[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]| first = Bo| last = Emerson| date = 2007-09-07| page = A1}}</ref> |
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<ref>{{Cite news| title = Highway accident damages Ramblinʼ |
<ref>{{Cite news| title = Highway accident damages Ramblinʼ Reck| newspaper = Georgia Tech Technique| first = Craig| last = Tabita| date = 2007-06-29| page = A1| url = https://smartech.gatech.edu/bitstream/handle/1853/15588/2007-06-29.pdf}}</ref> |
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=== Modern role of the |
=== Modern role of the Reck === |
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The Ramblin' |
The Ramblin' Reck has led the Yellow Jacket football team onto Grant Field almost 300 games. It also makes appearances for other Georgia Tech sports teams: it is often seen before big [[basketball]] games at [[Hank McCamish Pavilion]], occasionally parked outside of [[Russ Chandler Stadium]] during warm weekend [[baseball]] series, and has attended several [[softball]] games a year at the new mid-campus stadium.<ref name="beep">{{cite news|first=Kristin |last=Noell |url=http://dev.nique.gatech.edu/issues/2003-10-03/focus/2 |title=Faces at Georgia Tech: Beep beep! Justin Barnes has the keys to the Ramblin’ Reck |work=[[The Technique]] |date=2003-10-03 |access-date=2007-09-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519194224/http://dev.nique.gatech.edu/issues/2003-10-03/focus/2 |archive-date=2009-05-19 }}</ref> |
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A symbol of the institute's academic and collegiate tradition, the old Model A is often dispatched to special events on campus. It is always present when new buildings are opened or dedicated. On December 5, 2006, the |
A symbol of the institute's academic and collegiate tradition, the old Model A is often dispatched to special events on campus. It is always present when new buildings are opened or dedicated. On December 5, 2006, the Reck became the first car to drive across the new [[Technology Square (Atlanta)|Fifth Street Bridge]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.facultysenate.gatech.edu/ASGF2007-112806-Minuteswp.htm|title=Fall meeting of the academic senate & called meeting of the general faculty |publisher=Georgia Tech Faculty Senate|date=2006-11-28|access-date=2007-09-12}}</ref> |
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Every spring, the Institute holds a ceremony, known as When the Whistle Blows, to honor students, staff, and faculty who died during the previous year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whenthewhistleblows.gatech.edu/|title=When the Whistle Blows|publisher=Georgia Institute of Technology|access-date=2007-09-12|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622160005/http://www.whenthewhistleblows.gatech.edu/|archive-date=2007-06-22}}</ref> The [[Georgia Tech traditions#The Whistle|Georgia Tech Whistle]] is blown once for each person who died, and once more to salute Georgia Tech alumni and friends who may also have died. A [[procession]] of the military escort, led by the Ramblin' |
Every spring, the Institute holds a ceremony, known as When the Whistle Blows, to honor students, staff, and faculty who died during the previous year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whenthewhistleblows.gatech.edu/|title=When the Whistle Blows|publisher=Georgia Institute of Technology|access-date=2007-09-12|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622160005/http://www.whenthewhistleblows.gatech.edu/|archive-date=2007-06-22}}</ref> The [[Georgia Tech traditions#The Whistle|Georgia Tech Whistle]] is blown once for each person who died, and once more to salute Georgia Tech alumni and friends who may also have died. A [[procession]] of the military escort, led by the Ramblin' Reck, leads up to the ceremony, during which the Reck is parked next to the speaker's stage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whenthewhistleblows.gatech.edu/history.php|title=When the Whistle Blows: History|publisher=Georgia Institute of Technology|access-date=2007-09-12|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113034901/http://www.whenthewhistleblows.gatech.edu/history.php|archive-date=2008-01-13}}</ref> |
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During Tech Homecoming, the Ramblin' |
During Tech Homecoming, the Ramblin' Reck has several duties. Several days before Homecoming, it acts as a giant gold [[starter pistol]] for the [[Mini 500]] [[tricycle]] race.<ref name="tbook3">{{Cite journal| title = Ramblin' Reck Club| work = 2008–2009 Georgia Tech Freshmen T-Book| publisher = Georgia Tech Student Publications| page = 16| date = 2008-07-01}}</ref> The Reck's next task is to lead the racers out of the starting line in the [[Freshman Cake Race]]. On the day of the Homecoming football game, the Reck leads the [[Georgia Tech traditions#Reck Parade|Ramblin' Reck Parade]],<ref name="hc">{{cite news|first=Pat |last=Edwards |url=http://dev.nique.gatech.edu/issues/1999-10-08/campus%20life/7 |title=Homecoming traditions make Tech special |work=[[The Technique]] |date=1999-10-08 |access-date=2007-03-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519194403/http://dev.nique.gatech.edu/issues/1999-10-08/campus%20life/7 |archive-date=2009-05-19 }}</ref> then leads the football team onto the field.<ref name="driveon"/> |
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The car is also present at every Freshman Orientation (FASET), [[Earth Day]] festival, and other campuswide events.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.earthday.gatech.edu/photos.html|title=Georgia Tech Earth Day Photo Gallery|publisher=Georgia Tech Earth Day Committee|access-date=2010-03-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faset.gatech.edu/ |title=Freshman Orientation (FASET) |publisher=Georgia Institute of Technology |access-date=2007-09-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911184052/http://www.faset.gatech.edu/ |archive-date=2007-09-11 }}</ref> |
The car is also present at every Freshman Orientation (FASET), [[Earth Day]] festival, and other campuswide events.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.earthday.gatech.edu/photos.html|title=Georgia Tech Earth Day Photo Gallery|publisher=Georgia Tech Earth Day Committee|access-date=2010-03-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faset.gatech.edu/ |title=Freshman Orientation (FASET) |publisher=Georgia Institute of Technology |access-date=2007-09-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911184052/http://www.faset.gatech.edu/ |archive-date=2007-09-11 }}</ref> |
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A ride in the |
A ride in the Reck serves as a gift to many retiring faculty and staff; a ride onto Grant Field is one of the greatest honors Georgia Tech can bestow. [[Kim King]], for example, received this honor on October 2, 2004, during halftime of the [[Miami Hurricanes|Miami]] game.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.whistle.gatech.edu/archives/04/oct/18/kingobit.shtml|title=Prominent alumnus Kim King dies|work=The Whistle|publisher=Georgia Institute of Technology|date=2004-10-18|access-date=2007-09-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901120716/http://www.whistle.gatech.edu/archives/04/oct/18/kingobit.shtml|archive-date=2006-09-01|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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== |
== Reck traditions and specifications == |
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[[File:ramblinwreckflags.jpg|left|thumb|The Ramblin' |
[[File:ramblinwreckflags.jpg|left|thumb|The Ramblin' Reck's flags]] |
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There are several lesser known details about the |
There are several lesser known details about the Reck that are easily missed when it rambles down Techwood Drive. Specific physical details and the actual person behind the wheel are often missed or overlooked. The Reck is financially maintained through Ramblin' Reck Club appearances and fundraisers. There is no official source of funding from the institute, Athletic Association, or Alumni Association.<ref name="clubhistory"/><ref>{{cite news|first=Nathan|last=Fowler|url=http://www.fanhouse.com/2007/06/19/ramblin-Reck-gets-in-a-Reck/|title=Ramblin' Reck Gets In a Wreck|publisher=AOL Sports Blog|date=2007-06-19|access-date=2007-09-13}}</ref> This gives the Reck a unique level of independence that is atypical amongst college mascots.<ref name="beep"/> |
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When a freshman first reaches campus for FASET (orientation), one of the many traditions that they are introduced to is that freshmen cannot touch the |
When a freshman first reaches campus for FASET (orientation), one of the many traditions that they are introduced to is that freshmen cannot touch the Reck until the completion of their first year. This rule originated in the 1963 edition of the [[Rat cap|RAT Rules]].<ref name="ratsrules63">{{Cite journal| title = Rat Ruls: Pro & Con| work = Technique| publisher = Georgia Tech Student Publications| page = 9| date = 1963-09-16}}</ref> If a freshman touches the Reck between [[convocation]] and the last day of classes in the Spring, they will receive bad luck throughout their college career and GT will be [[curse]]d to lose to UGA in football that year.<ref name="tbook4">{{Cite journal| title = Sorry Freshmen, Do not Touch...| work = 2008–2009 Georgia Tech Freshmen T-Book| publisher = Georgia Tech Student Publications| page = 75| date = 2008-07-01}}</ref> |
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The |
The Reck is distinguished by its old gold body and white soft top. The soft top has a chrome [[Landau (automobile)|support strut]], which features a [[brass]] classic Tech T and 1952 [[yellow jacket]]. The body also has two solid white running boards, which run the length of the vehicle. The running boards support cheerleaders or the occasional Tech student looking for a ride. The interior upholstery is solid white [[Polyvinyl chloride|vinyl]]. The gear shifter knob is a white globe with the classic Tech T painted on it. There are two golden [[nylon]] pennants emblazoned with the words "To Hell With Georgia" and "Give 'Em Hell Tech" fastened to the front bumper.<ref name="flags">{{cite web|url=http://www.southerntailors.com/galleries/giant-gallery.html|title=Southern Tailors : makers of the Ramblin' Reck pennants, image #36|access-date=2010-04-25}}</ref> |
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=== Driver === |
=== Driver === |
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[[File:ramblinwreckorna.jpg|right|thumb|The Ramblin' |
[[File:ramblinwreckorna.jpg|right|thumb|The Ramblin' Reck radiator cap]] |
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The driver of the Ramblin' |
The driver of the Ramblin' Reck is an elected position within Ramblin' Reck Club.<ref name="driver">{{cite news|title=Ramblin' No More|work=Cherokee Tribune|author=Donna Harris|date=2005-12-23}}</ref><ref name="driver3">{{cite news|url=http://www.ajc.com/gatech/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/11/19/georgia_tech_miami_preview.html |title=ACC BREAKDOWN: Georgia Tech vs. Miami |work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=2008-11-20 |access-date=2008-11-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520131308/http://www.ajc.com/gatech/content/sports/gatech/stories/2008/11/19/georgia_tech_miami_preview.html |archive-date=May 20, 2009 }}</ref> This position is determined after every football season. The driver manages the car's public appearances and maintenance.<ref name="driver2">{{cite news|url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2005/11/23/gat_25320.shtml|title=Georgia Tech's Reck is senior's full-time job|work=Augusta Chronicle|date=2005-11-22|access-date=2011-12-17}}</ref> There have only been 46 drivers of the Reck, making the position of Reck driver one of the most prestigious positions in all of Georgia Tech's student organizations.<ref name="driveon"/> |
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The driver gets to add their own personal touch every year to the |
The driver gets to add their own personal touch every year to the Reck. The front [[license plate]] is chosen by the driver every year and the [[radiator]] cap is replaced yearly, as well. The cap is typically a flying [[quail]] or a [[wreath]]. After each driver's term, the driver gets to keep the two pennants, too. |
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Dean Dull initiated a group known as the Ramblin' |
Dean Dull initiated a group known as the Ramblin' Reck Committee of the Student Council to aid in his search for a mascot. When the Reck was found in 1961, the Ramblin' Reck Committee was chaired by Dekle Rountree.<ref name="deklerount">{{Cite news| title = To Go A-Ramblin'| newspaper = [[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]| page = 22| date = 1961-05-28}}</ref> Rountree would drive the Reck for school functions and Student Council fundraisers.<ref name="blueprint62">{{cite news| title = 1961 Student Council| work = [[Blueprint (yearbook)|The Blueprint]]| year = 1962}}</ref> He was also the first person to drive the Ramblin' Reck onto Grant Field. Don Gentry, the president of Reck Club in 1961, was the first student to drive the Reck as he aided in retrieving the Model A from Ted Johnson's home.<ref name="30ford">{{cite news| title = Gold '30 Ford Becomes 'Ramblin' Reck,' First Real Mascot In 73 Year History| work = [[The Technique]]| date = 1961-10-06}}</ref> The Reck was always maintained by Reck Club but the complete transition of control occurred between 1964 and 1967. During this period, Reck Club was relieved of its RAT rules enforcement duties and given more wholesome jobs of maintaining the Reck, upholding traditions, and generating school spirit.<ref name="blueprint67">{{cite news| title = 1966 Ramblin' Reck Club| work = [[Blueprint (yearbook)|The Blueprint]]| year = 1967}}</ref> |
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Four women have officially driven the Ramblin' |
Four women have officially driven the Ramblin' Reck in its history. Lisa Volmar, an [[industrial engineering]] major, was elected the driver in 1984 and she was the first female driver after 23 consecutive years of male-only drivers.<ref name="50women">{{cite web|url=http://andreaarena.com/storage/Fifty%20Years%20Fifty%20Women.pdf|title=50 Years, 50 Women|work=Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine|publisher=Georgia Tech Alumni Association|date=Fall 2002|access-date=2010-03-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707141221/http://andreaarena.com/storage/Fifty%20Years%20Fifty%20Women.pdf|archive-date=2011-07-07}}</ref><ref name="blueprint85">{{cite news| title = 1984 Ramblin' Reck Club| work = [[Blueprint (yearbook)|The Blueprint]]| year = 1985}}</ref> |
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=== Reck or Wreck === |
=== Reck or Wreck === |
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Many believe the name can be spelled either ''Ramblin{{'}} Reck'' or ''Ramblin{{'}} Wreck''.<ref name="style">{{cite web|url=http://dev.nique.gatech.edu/staffmanual/intro-administration.pdf |format=PDF |title=Technique Staff Manual: Style Guide |work=[[The Technique]] |year=2003 |access-date=2007-08-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225122832/http://dev.nique.gatech.edu/staffmanual/intro-administration.pdf |archive-date=2009-02-25 }}</ref> In all spellings, there is no ''g'' in ''Ramblin{{'}}''. The first references to the 1930 Model A (1961) spelled the word ''Reck'' while the first references to the 1914 Model T owned by Dean Field spelled the word ''{{'}}Reck'' (1925).<ref name="alumni92">{{cite news|url=http://gtalumni.org/Publications/magazine/win92/Reck.html |title=The Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech |work=Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine |publisher=Georgia Tech Alumni Association |date=Winter 1992 |access-date=2007-08-22 }}{{dead link|date=October 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Ramblin' Reck Club has spelled the word ''Reck'' since their 1945 club charter.<ref name="neRecks">{{cite news| title = Pep Meeting Slated Thursday By Newly-Organized Recks | work = the Technique| date = 1945-07-28}}</ref> Most recently, the institute has adopted the spelling Ramblin' Wreck and holds a trademark on the phrase.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.licensing.gatech.edu/about/index.html|title=Georgia Tech trademarks|publisher=Georgia Tech Communications & Marketing|access-date=2007-11-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105034709/http://www.licensing.gatech.edu/about/index.html|archive-date=2009-11-05|url-status=dead}}</ref> Reck Club, the longtime owner of the vehicle still refers to it as the Ramblin' Reck while the institute refers to it as the Ramblin' Wreck.<ref name="alumni92"/><ref>{{cite web| title = The Reck| publisher = reckclub.org| url=http://www.reckclub.org/the-reck | access-date = 2015-05-04}}</ref> |
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== Travelin' |
== Travelin' Reck == |
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In its history, the |
In its history, the Reck has appeared at a number of away games and other events away from the Georgia Tech campus. Many of these trips resulted in damage to the Reck or other interesting anecdotes. |
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The first away game for the Ramblin' |
The first away game for the Ramblin' Reck was the 1961 game against the [[Alabama Crimson Tide football|Alabama Crimson Tide]].<ref name="30ford"/> The Reck was freighted by [[Southern Railway (US)|Southern Railway]] to [[Birmingham, Alabama]]. At the time, Alabama played its home games at [[Legion Field]]. Before the game, the current driver Dekle Rountree decided to traverse the slope up to visit Birmingham's [[Vulcan statue]]. The trip to Birmingham was such a success, a trip to [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]] for Tech's [[Gator Bowl]] appearance against [[Penn State Nittany Lions football|Penn State]] was organized, as well. These were the first road and bowl game appearances for the Reck in its illustrious career.<ref name="Recktravel">{{Cite news| title = Reck Sees Vulcan While in Alabama| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| date = 1961-12-01}}</ref> |
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In 1963, the Ramblin' |
In 1963, the Ramblin' Reck Committee and Ramblin' Reck Club organized another road trip for the Reck. This trip took the Reck up to [[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]] for a game against the [[Tennessee Volunteers football|Tennessee Volunteers]].<ref name="Recktravel2">{{cite news| title = Vols Paint Reck, Utah to Receive Bill| work = [[The Technique]]| first = Jim |last = Simpson| page = 11| date = 1963-10-18}}</ref> After Tech won the game, the Reck was stored overnight in [[Neyland Stadium]]. Administrators and Tennessee's Athletic Director [[Bob Woodruff (American football)|Bob Woodruff]] promised Georgia Tech Athletics that the Reck would be safe.<ref name="Recktravel2"/> They were wrong. Tennessee students broke into the storage area and painted the Reck orange. They wrote "Go Vols" in the paint and covered the gold wheels with paint, as well.<ref name="dull">{{cite book| title = It's For You, Thirty One Years of Our Life On the Georgia Tech Campus| author = Jim & Gay Dull| publisher = Greer Avenue Books| pages = 204–206| year = 2005}}</ref> After the incident, Georgia Tech sent a bill to Tennessee's Athletic Department asking for restitution. Woodruff was believed to have aided the students in their efforts after he openly contested the officiating of the football contest.<ref name="Recktravel2"/> |
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In 1976, Tech students took the |
In 1976, Tech students took the Reck to Athens for the annual football game with UGA.<ref name="rtroll"/> After the game, the Reck's police escort abandoned the car. The vehicle appeared relatively unprotected and was approached by UGA students attempting to vandalize it. The Tech students responsible for the car's safekeeping frightened the encroaching Bulldog fans away by producing a concealed [[9 mm caliber|9 mm pistol]].<ref name="rtroll"/> |
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The farthest trips the Ramblin' |
The farthest trips the Ramblin' Reck has ever traveled from Atlanta were the [[1970 Sun Bowl]] in [[El Paso, Texas]], and [[Denver]], [[Colorado]], in 1990 for Tech's [[NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship|NCAA Final Four]] appearance against [[1989–90 UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team|UNLV]]. The Reck was freighted by van {{convert|1400|mi|km|-1}} to [[Denver Coliseum]].<ref name="1990FF"/> Along the way, a television crew documented the trip and broadcast the Reck's expedition during the Final Four promotions.<ref name="1990FF">{{cite news| title = Quiet Times at Georgia Tech| work = [[The New York Times]]| pages = A23, A26| first = William | last = Rhoden| date = 1990-03-30}}</ref> |
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[[File:GTSamfordBanner.jpg|thumb|right|This banner was displayed before the |
[[File:GTSamfordBanner.jpg|thumb|right|This banner was displayed before the Reck's unveiling after the 2007 accident. Shown at the 2007 Georgia Tech vs Samford football game, it states that "Our Ford is better than Samford".]] |
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The last major road trips for the Ramblin' |
The last major road trips for the Ramblin' Reck were to the 2004 Final Four in [[San Antonio]], the [[2006 ACC Championship Game]] in [[Jacksonville, Florida]], and the [[2009 ACC Championship Game]] in [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa's]] [[Raymond James Stadium]]. |
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<ref name="Recktravel3">{{cite news|first=Kristin|last=Noell|title=Q100 road trip makes for Final Four memories|work=[[The Technique]]|date=2004-04-16}}</ref> The |
<ref name="Recktravel3">{{cite news|first=Kristin|last=Noell|title=Q100 road trip makes for Final Four memories|work=[[The Technique]]|date=2004-04-16}}</ref> The Reck led the Yellow Jacket football team onto [[Jacksonville Municipal Stadium|Alltel Stadium]]'s field for Tech's first appearance in the ACC title game, as well as performing the same duty in their second appearance and first win in the ACC championship game in 2009. The Reck has also been to the [[Orange Bowl]], [[Gator Bowl]], [[All-American Bowl]], [[Sun Bowl]], [[Peach Bowl]], [[Citrus Bowl]], and [[Champs Sports Bowl]].<ref name="rtroll"/> |
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On June 15, 2007, the |
On June 15, 2007, the Reck was involved in an accident while being towed to a wedding south of Atlanta in a covered car trailer. The trailer failed while carrying the Wreck, in turn causing the truck and trailer to run off the road and into the roadside ditch. The Reck fell over inside the trailer, causing damage to its side and roof.<ref name="AP">{{cite news| title = Georgia Tech's Ramblin' Reck Recked| agency = [[Associated Press]]| date = 2007-06-20 |
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}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| first = Matt | last = Winkeljohn| title = Help rolls in to rescue Tech's Recked Reck| newspaper = [[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]| date = 2007-06-22| page = A1 |
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| first = Matt | last = Winkeljohn| title = Help rolls in to rescue Tech's Recked Reck| newspaper = [[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]| date = 2007-06-22| page = A1 |
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}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| first = Craig | last = Tabita| title = Highway accident damages Ramblin' Wreck| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| date = 2007-06-29}}</ref> Despite the severe body damage (in excess of $30,000), the |
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| first = Craig | last = Tabita| title = Highway accident damages Ramblin' Wreck| newspaper = [[The Technique]]| date = 2007-06-29}}</ref> Despite the severe body damage (in excess of $30,000), the Reck was repaired for the first game of the 2007 season against the [[Samford Bulldogs football|Samford Bulldogs]].<ref name="rtroll"/><ref name="pledges">{{cite news| title = Repairing 'Reck' a slow process| newspaper = [[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]| date = 2007-07-25| first = Bo| last = Emerson |
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}}</ref><ref name="engineer">{{cite news| title = Engineers scramble to get Reck ready| first = Bo| last = Emerson| date = 2007-09-08| page = D7}}</ref> |
}}</ref><ref name="engineer">{{cite news| title = Engineers scramble to get Reck ready| first = Bo| last = Emerson| date = 2007-09-08| page = D7}}</ref> |
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== In the media == |
== In the media == |
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In 1987, the Ramblin' |
In 1987, the Ramblin' Reck and Dean Jim Dull were featured on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC-TV]]'s morning show. Dean Dull shouted into the camera, "I'm Dean of Students Jim Dull and I'm a Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech. Good Morning, America!"<ref name="dull2">{{cite news|first=Gary |last=Goettling |url=http://gtalumni.org/Publications/techtopics/fall91/hamandwry.html |title=Ham and Wry: Humor Helps Dean Dull Weather 34-Year Career |work=Tech Topics |publisher=Georgia Tech Alumni Association |date=Fall 1991 |access-date=2007-05-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050827100502/http://gtalumni.org/Publications/techtopics/fall91/hamandwry.html |archive-date=August 27, 2005 }}</ref> Dull was on the show because he had won a make-a-wish contest. All he wanted was for the Ramblin' Reck, gold-clad students, and himself to be on the ABC morning show and ABC granted the wish.<ref name="dull"/> |
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The Ramblin' |
The Ramblin' Reck has been featured in several newspapers, magazines, and books. The Ramblin' Reck is portrayed leading the Georgia Tech football team onto the field on the cover of Al Thomy's 1973 work ''Ramblin' Reck – A Story of Georgia Tech Football''.<ref>{{cite book|first=Al|last=Thomy|title = Ramblin' Reck – A Story of Georgia Tech Football| publisher = Strode Publishing| isbn = 0-87397-028-4|date=June 1973}}</ref> Pete George's 1982 refurbishment was featured in the November 1983 edition of the Ford Times.<ref name="fodtimes">{{cite news|title = Georgia Tech's Ramblin' Reck| work = Ford Times| publisher = Ford Motor Company|date=November 1983}}</ref> The June 1986 edition of Cars & Parts Magazine featured the Ramblin' Reck and the raffle for the Centennial Reck.<ref name="carcollector2">{{cite news|title = "Ramblin' Reck" – Model A| work = Car & Parts| publisher = Amos Press Incorporated|date=June 1986}}</ref> The December 1991 Car Collector & Car Classics featured the Reck on the cover after the National Championship season.<ref name="carcollector"/> The December 2007 Bellsouth Real White Pages for Greater Atlanta featured the Ramblin' Reck with censored flags.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://airbornecombatengineer.typepad.com/photos/gt_football/Reckatlwhitepageswr.jpg|title=Reck on cover of ATL white pages|publisher=Airborne Combat Engineer|access-date=2007-07-15}}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
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The Ramblin' |
The Ramblin' Reck has been featured numerous times in Tech's student newspaper, ''[[The Technique]]'', and Atlanta's primary newspaper, the ''[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]''.<ref name="deklerount"/><ref name="30ford"/> The Reck has also been featured in ''[[The New York Times]]'' and the [[Associated Press]].<ref name="1990FF"/><ref name="AP"/> Local newspapers such as the ''[[Cherokee County, Georgia|Cherokee]] Times'', ''[[Augusta, Georgia|Augusta]] Chronicle'', and ''[[Gwinnett County, Georgia|Gwinnett]] Daily Post'' have also printed articles about the Reck.<ref name="driver"/><ref name="driver2"/><ref name="gpost">{{cite news| title = Local shop repairing Recked Reck| newspaper = Gwinnett Daily Post| pages = D2| date = 2007-07-21}}</ref> |
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In the week prior to the 2007 home opener, the Ramblin' |
In the week prior to the 2007 home opener, the Ramblin' Reck was featured on ''[[ESPN First Take]]''.<ref name="espn"/> ESPN showed old clips of the Reck leading the football team onto the field and discussed the possibility of the Reck not making the football opener after 45 consecutive years of never missing a game.<ref name="espn"/> |
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The Ramblin' |
The Ramblin' Reck was featured prominently on the October 18, 2007 episode of [[Jim Cramer]]'s ''[[Mad Money]]''.<ref name="madmoney">{{cite news|url=http://mgt.gatech.edu/news_room/news/2007/articles/madmoney2.html|title=CNBC's Hit Show Mad Money with Jim Cramer Filming at Georgia Tech|work=Georgia Tech College of Management|date=2007-09-27|access-date=2007-10-18}}</ref> Cramer exited the Reck's passenger door to start the show and one of Cramer's trademark soundboards was attached to the front bumper.<ref name="madmoney"/> |
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On April 16, 2009, a Georgia Tech student riding on the running board of the Ramblin' |
On April 16, 2009, a Georgia Tech student riding on the running board of the Ramblin' Reck fell and suffered severe head injuries hospitalizing the student for four days.<ref name="Reckinjury">{{cite news|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/student-sues-tech-over-566859.html|first=Rhonda|last=Cook|title=Student sues Tech over his fall from Ramblin' Reck|work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=2010-07-09|access-date=2010-07-09}}</ref> Almost a year later, the student filed suit against Georgia Tech and an auto shop responsible for installing handles on the roof of the car. The lawsuit cites the failure of the auto shop's handles as the reason for the fall and claims the University promoted the unsafe use of a vehicle by students.<ref name="Reckinjury"/><ref name="Reckinjury2">{{cite news|url=http://wsbradio.com/localnews/2010/07/ramblin-Reck-suit.html|first=Chris|last=Camp|title=SRamblin' Reck Suit|work=WSB Radio|date=2010-07-09|access-date=2010-07-09}}{{dead link|date=October 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In September 2013, the student injured in the April 2009 accident, won a settlement of $1.36 million from the [[Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia|Georgia Board of Regents]] and Eco-Clean, Inc.<ref name="Reckinjury3">{{cite news|url=http://www.swoperodante.com/georgia-tech-student-traumatic-brain-injury-lawsuit-appellate-court-upholds-award-verdict/|first=Rodante|last=Swope|title=Georgia Tech Student Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuit – Appellate Court Upholds Award Verdict|work=Swope Rodante P.A.|date=2013-12-13|access-date=2017-09-28}}</ref> |
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The [[NCAA Football 12|2012 edition of EA Sports' NCAA football video game]] featured the addition of the Ramblin' |
The [[NCAA Football 12|2012 edition of EA Sports' NCAA football video game]] featured the addition of the Ramblin' Reck leading Georgia Tech's football team onto the field at all games played in Bobby Dodd Stadium.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fromtherumbleseat.com/2011/4/19/2120417/the-ramblin-reck-is-finally-in-ea-sports-ncaa-football|title=The Ramblin' Reck Is Finally In EA Sports' NCAA Football|work=From the Rumble Seat|publisher=SB Nation|date=April 2011|access-date=2012-08-13}}</ref> The Ramblin' Reck was included in the game alongside many other colleges' pre-game traditions to "deliver the pride and pageantry of game day".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://investor.ea.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=594113|title=NCAA Football 12 kicks off to a record start!|publisher=EA Sports|date=2011-07-26|access-date=2015-11-18}}</ref> |
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== Ramblin' replicas == |
== Ramblin' replicas == |
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[[File:Georgia Tech Conf Hotel Fake Wreck.jpg|thumb|right|The 1930 Ford Model A Sports Coupe shell in the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center]] |
[[File:Georgia Tech Conf Hotel Fake Wreck.jpg|thumb|right|The 1930 Ford Model A Sports Coupe shell in the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center]] |
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Several vehicles claim "Ramblin' |
Several vehicles claim "Ramblin' Reck status." However, only one car is the official Ramblin' Reck, with no backups or equivalent vehicles.<ref name="pledges"/> |
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* The most famous of the fake |
* The most famous of the fake Recks is a 1931 Ford Model A Cabriolet known as the Centennial Reck. This vehicle was refurbished along with the real Reck in 1985. The vehicle followed the Ramblin' Reck onto the field all of the 1985 football season and was raffled for $250,000 by Pete George and Georgia Tech in 1986.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gtalumni.org/Publications/techtraditions/traditions/Reck.html|title=Ramblin' Memories: Ramblin' Reck|publisher=Georgia Tech Alumni Association|access-date=2007-03-04}}{{dead link|date=October 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> |
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* In 1988, the Alumni Association purchased a 1931 Ford Model A Roadster and restored the vehicle again in 1994.<ref name="alumniReck">{{cite web|url=http://gtalumni.org/pages/rentthewreck|title=rent the Reck|publisher=Georgia Tech Alumni Association|access-date=2009-06-29}}</ref> The Alumni |
* In 1988, the Alumni Association purchased a 1931 Ford Model A Roadster and restored the vehicle again in 1994.<ref name="alumniReck">{{cite web|url=http://gtalumni.org/pages/rentthewreck|title=rent the Reck|publisher=Georgia Tech Alumni Association|access-date=2009-06-29}}</ref> The Alumni Reck is distinguished by its spare tire locations on the driver's side and passenger-side running boards and the words "Georgia Tech Alumni Association" printed on the doors. It also has a [[convertible]] top. On the real Reck, the spare is behind the rumble seat and the roof cannot be removed or lowered. |
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*A 1930 Ford Model A Sports Coupe shell is kept in the Georgia Tech Hotel. This car has not worked since it has been on campus. The motor is incomplete and the front end lacks the |
*A 1930 Ford Model A Sports Coupe shell is kept in the Georgia Tech Hotel. This car has not worked since it has been on campus. The motor is incomplete and the front end lacks the Reck's chrome stone guard. This is one of the few replicas that is almost identical in make, model, and paint scheme when compared to the real Ramblin' Reck.<ref name="hotelReck">{{cite web|url=http://www.gatechhotel.com/photogallery/photogallery.html|title=Georgia Tech Hotel: Social Events Photo Gallery|publisher=Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center|access-date=2010-03-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613145657/http://www.gatechhotel.com/photogallery/photogallery.html|archive-date=2010-06-13}}</ref> |
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* Also, several alumni-owned vehicles are painted to resemble the |
* Also, several alumni-owned vehicles are painted to resemble the Reck. These vehicles mimic the look and feel of the car, but are not the Ramblin' Reck. One of the most famous instances of mistaken identity occurred in 1988.<ref name="BoTullis"/> A father-son duo of Georgia Tech alumni attempted to lead the Tech football team onto the field at [[Sanford Stadium]] in [[Athens, Georgia|Athens]]. After getting inside of the stadium with their gold 1924 [[Ford Model T]], the two were finally stopped by Georgia officials, who were informed the real Ramblin' Reck had remained in [[Atlanta]].<ref name="BoTullis">{{cite news| first = David | last = Davidson| title = Fans' Ramblin' Plans Recked by Guards| work = [[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]| pages = C12| date = 1988-11-27}}</ref> |
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* Several [[B-17 Flying Fortress]]es and [[B-24 Liberator]]s and at least one [[F4U Corsair]] were designated the name ''Ramblin' |
* Several [[B-17 Flying Fortress]]es and [[B-24 Liberator]]s and at least one [[F4U Corsair]] were designated the name ''Ramblin' Reck'' during service in World War II.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://valortovictory.tripod.com/b24s/41-29500.htm|title=B-24 Ramblin' Reck missions|publisher=Valor To Victory|access-date=2007-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Jerry|last=Penry|url=http://www.angelfire.com/ne2/b17sunriseserenade/452ndnames.html|title=452nd Bomb Group Plane Names|publisher=452nd Bomb Group|access-date=2007-03-04}}</ref><!-- B-17 Ramblin' Reck story behind naming --> |
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* The Chicago Brewing Company features an [[amber ale]] by the name of Ramblin' |
* The Chicago Brewing Company features an [[amber ale]] by the name of Ramblin' Reck Amber Ale.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/2308/29129|title=Ramblin' Reck Amber Ale Review|publisher=Beer Advocate|access-date=2007-03-04}}</ref> |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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Revision as of 18:29, 12 September 2022
The Ramblin' Reck is the 1930 Ford Model A Sport coupe that serves as the official mascot of the student body at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The Reck is present at all major sporting events and student body functions. Its most noticeable role is leading the football team into Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field, a duty which the Reck has performed since 1961. The Ramblin' Reck is mechanically and financially maintained on campus by students in Ramblin' Reck Club.
The first mechanical Reck was a 1914 Ford Model T owned by Dean Floyd Field. Until the current Reck was donated to the school in 1961, most of the early Ramblin' Recks were owned by students, faculty or alumni. The modern Reck has donned a number of different paint jobs and has had several restorations and modifications made to it. These changes were made by various individuals and organizations over the years, including Bobby Dodd and Georgia Tech Alumnus Pete George, who worked at the Ford plant in Hapeville, Georgia. The upkeep of the Reck has been the sole responsibility of Ramblin' Reck Club and the Reck driver since 1987.
The Ramblin' Reck has been the target of several pranks perpetrated by rival schools; the University of Tennessee once provided the Reck with an unsolicited new paint job, and the University of Georgia has stolen the Reck on at least two occasions. Several replica or "false" Recks are owned by alumni, or are used for display and do not run. The official Ramblin' Reck is considered the only "true" Reck, and no backups or replacements exist.
History
The term "Ramblin' Wreck" has been used to refer to students and alumni of Georgia Tech, but not the car itself. The Reck has its origins in the late 19th century and was used originally to refer to the makeshift motorized vehicles constructed by Georgia Tech engineers employed in projects in the jungles of Central America.[1] The Recks were constructed from whatever the engineers could find—mostly old tractor and automotive parts—and were kept running by the engineers' ingenuity and creativity. Other workers in the area began to refer to these vehicles and the men who drove them as "Rambling Wrecks from Georgia Tech."[1]
The first "mechanical mascot" at Georgia Tech was a 1914 Ford Model T owned by Dean Floyd Field. Field drove the car to and from class every day from 1916 until 1928.[2] Field cared so much for the car that he even nicknamed it "Nellie".[3] The vehicle was distinguished by its metallic black paint job and a large black box fastened to the rear end by a buggy wheel hoop. The black box's contents were never revealed to the student body and the box became part of the mystique of the Old Ford.[4]
The student body initially nicknamed the vehicle "Floyd's Flivver" but eventually began to call the car the "Ramblin' 'Reck."[5][6][7] The first mention of Field's Ford as a Ramblin' 'Reck was in 1926 when he performed an overhaul of the car's engine, body, and paint job with the help of the campus machine shop.[5]
Dean Field found a love for travel with his Model T.[2] He took it all the way to California for seminars on mathematics and education.[2] However, in 1927 rumors began to abound campus that Field was going to buy a Model A.[8] Field quelled the rumors with a personal interview in the last issue of the 1927 Technique. By September 1928, Field felt he could not travel as much with the dilapidated Model T. To the dismay of the student body the vehicle was discarded by Dean Field in 1928 and a Model A was purchased.[9] Field's Model A lasted until 1934 in which he bought a Ford V8. He would drive over 122,000 miles (196,300 km) in all three cars during his Georgia Tech tenure of 1900–1945.[2]
In memoriam to his retired "Tin Lizzie", Dean Field started "an Old Ford Race" from the intersection of North Avenue and Techwood Drive in Atlanta to the intersection of Hills Street and Prince Avenue in Athens. The race was sponsored by the Technique, which nicknamed the event the "Flying Flivver Race."[10] The finish line was facilitated by the University of Georgia student newspaper The Red and Black.[11] The only rule of the race was that the car had to be a pre-1926 4-cylinder motor car.[11] The fastest time in the race was achieved by an Essex which completed the 79-mile (126 km) race in 1 hour and 26 minutes or 55 mph (88 km/h).[12]
The Tech administration disliked the perilous race and reduced the race to a more peaceful and regulated parade of contraptions known as the Ramblin' Reck Parade after races were completed in 1929 and 1930. The Yellow Jacket Club facilitated the first official Ramblin' Reck parade in 1932.[13] The only break in the parade's continuous operation occurred with the onset of World War II. There were no parades from 1942 to 1943 and when the parade did continue in 1944, all Recks had to be human powered.[14] In 1946, the Ramblin' Reck Parade was allowed to operate combustion engines again.[14] The rules instituted in the 1946 Reck Parade still remain as the parade has become the featured event for all Tech homecomings.[15]
Mascot for students
Dean of Student Affairs Jim Dull recognized a need for an official Ramblin' Reck when he observed the student body's fascination with classic cars. Fraternities, in particular, would parade around their House Recks as displays of school spirit and enthusiasm. It was considered a rite of passage to own a broken down vehicle.[16][17]
In 1960, Dull began a search for a new official symbol to represent the institute. He specifically wanted a classic pre-war Ford. Dull's search would entail newspaper ads, radio commercials, and other means to locate this vehicle. The search took him throughout the state and country, but no suitable vehicle was found until the autumn of 1960. Dean Dull spotted a polished 1930 Ford Model A outside of his apartment located in Towers Dormitory. The owner was Captain Ted J. Johnson, Atlanta's chief Delta Air Lines pilot.[16]
Johnson had purchased the car from a junkyard in 1956. Johnson and his son, Craig, would restore the car as a father-son project while Craig attended the Georgia Military Academy.[18] The two spent two years and over $1,800 restoring the vehicle.[19] Johnson used spare parts from many different sources to refurbish the rusty hulk. He bought the mahogany dash from a parts dealer in Caracas, Venezuela and used Convair 440 aluminum sheets to replace the flooring. After Craig graduated from high school, he attended Florida State on a track scholarship. In 1960, Craig's track team would be in Atlanta competing against Tech. Johnson, wanting to see his son compete, took the Model A to Tech campus, parked it near Towers dormitory, and went to watch Craig compete.[19]
When Johnson returned to his car, he found a note from Dean Dull attached to his windshield. Dull's note offered to purchase the car to serve as Georgia Tech's official mascot. Johnson, after great deliberation, agreed to take $1,000, but eventually returned the money in 1984 so that the car would be remembered as an official donation to Georgia Tech and the Alexander-Tharpe Fund.[19] The Ramblin' Reck was officially transferred to the Athletic Association on May 26, 1961.[15]
The Ramblin' Reck was unveiled September 30, 1961, at Grant Field in front of 43,501 Tech fans, as it led the team onto the field against Rice University.[20] The team prevailed 24–0 and the Reck became an instant success within the Tech family.[21] The Reck has since led the team onto the field for every home game.[22]
Bobby Dodd's restorations
The current color scheme was selected in 1974 by then athletic director and former head coach Bobby Dodd. The original Reck decor featured a wooden GT shield on both the driver- and passenger-side doors. This shield was removed during Dodd's revitalization of the old Model A. Dodd chose an old gold paint from a Lincoln car paint catalogue as the base for the new color scheme.[23] He also placed a slightly stretched GT emblem on the door, a Tech helmet on the rear quarter panel, and a 1952 version of the Yellow Jacket on the front quarter panel. According to Tech lore, Bobby Dodd was so enamored with the Lincoln gold, he changed the football helmet and uniform color to match the new Ramblin' Reck paint scheme.[24]
The biggest structural change was a support system attached to the car's frame. The support system runs the length of the running boards and allows the increased weight of cheerleaders or Reck Club members standing on the running boards.[25]
Pete George's restorations
From 1973 to 1987, 1947 IE alum Pete George maintained the Ramblin' Reck at the Hapeville Ford Plant.[26] George would mastermind the 1974 change of colors as well as a major refurbishment of the Reck in 1982 in time for Georgia Tech's 1985 centennial celebration. The car was completely disassembled, rebuilt, and repainted by late 1982.[25][27]
There were a few noticeable changes to the Ramblin' Reck after the 1982 refurbishment.[28] An aftermarket chrome stone guard was added to protect the grill, The emblems on the side were removed and replaced by a basic GT decal on the doors. The 1952 Yellow Jackets were moved 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 naugahyde Ford tire cover. The blackwall tires and brakes were replaced with whitewall tires and modified brakes.[26]
The Reck experienced a major transition of ownership after the Centennial Celebration. Since Reck Club had financially maintained the vehicle for so long and Reck Club fell under the Dean of Students rather than the Athletic Association, the vehicle was sold from the Athletic Association to the Institute for zero dollars in 1987. The transaction further solidified Reck Club's responsibilities over the car but also made the car more than simply a football mascot. The Old Ford was officially an Institute icon.[16]
Post-centennial restoration and change of ownership
After Pete George's retirement in 1987, the upkeep of the Reck fell directly upon the shoulders of the Reck Drivers and Reck Club. In 1994, the Hapeville Plant ended their relationship with Reck Club. Since then, the Reck has been student maintained with the assistance of local Atlanta garages. The Reck has had numerous mechanical and cosmetic repairs over the years since Pete George's initial full rebuild.[24]
After 1994, Reck Club restored the wheels and brakes to original Model A specifications. Reck Club performed a major off body restoration in the Spring of 2000 that saw the car repainted and the engine rebuilt.[16] Pete George, although several years retired, aided Reck Club in its restoration providing funding and labor to the 2000 restoration. After the restoration, a small modification replaced the electrical generator with a more efficient Nu-Rex alternator.[28]
2007 highway accident
Reck Club coordinated their second major restoration following damage incurred during a highway accident on June 22, 2007, on Interstate 75 in Monroe County, about 60 miles south of Atlanta. Though trailered, the crash caused severe damage to the body and top of the Ramblin' Reck, while the Ford Expedition and trailer in tow were both damaged. Fourth-year Polymer, Textile, and Fiber Engineering major John Bird was driving, with his younger brother Matt, and recalled for the press:
Something in the trailer failed, and the trailer pulled us off the road going 70 miles an hour. We went perpendicular to the lanes of traffic, and we crashed into a ditch on the side of the road... There wasn’t any fishtailing... The trailer just snapped and made a 90 degree turn, and I just said ‘Matt, hold on’ and we hit the ditch. The whole thing lasted about 2 seconds... The left side is smashed up pretty good and the roof is torn up... but the motor is fine and all the wheels are fine."
— John Bird, Highway accident damages Ramblinʼ Reck[29]
Bird had stated that both his brother and he got whiplash from the crash, one of Matt's legs was bruised, and "it also could have been a lot worse."[24] [30]
Modern role of the Reck
The Ramblin' Reck has led the Yellow Jacket football team onto Grant Field almost 300 games. It also makes appearances for other Georgia Tech sports teams: it is often seen before big basketball games at Hank McCamish Pavilion, occasionally parked outside of Russ Chandler Stadium during warm weekend baseball series, and has attended several softball games a year at the new mid-campus stadium.[31]
A symbol of the institute's academic and collegiate tradition, the old Model A is often dispatched to special events on campus. It is always present when new buildings are opened or dedicated. On December 5, 2006, the Reck became the first car to drive across the new Fifth Street Bridge.[32]
Every spring, the Institute holds a ceremony, known as When the Whistle Blows, to honor students, staff, and faculty who died during the previous year.[33] The Georgia Tech Whistle is blown once for each person who died, and once more to salute Georgia Tech alumni and friends who may also have died. A procession of the military escort, led by the Ramblin' Reck, leads up to the ceremony, during which the Reck is parked next to the speaker's stage.[34]
During Tech Homecoming, the Ramblin' Reck has several duties. Several days before Homecoming, it acts as a giant gold starter pistol for the Mini 500 tricycle race.[35] The Reck's next task is to lead the racers out of the starting line in the Freshman Cake Race. On the day of the Homecoming football game, the Reck leads the Ramblin' Reck Parade,[36] then leads the football team onto the field.[16]
The car is also present at every Freshman Orientation (FASET), Earth Day festival, and other campuswide events.[37][38]
A ride in the Reck serves as a gift to many retiring faculty and staff; a ride onto Grant Field is one of the greatest honors Georgia Tech can bestow. Kim King, for example, received this honor on October 2, 2004, during halftime of the Miami game.[39]
Reck traditions and specifications
There are several lesser known details about the Reck that are easily missed when it rambles down Techwood Drive. Specific physical details and the actual person behind the wheel are often missed or overlooked. The Reck is financially maintained through Ramblin' Reck Club appearances and fundraisers. There is no official source of funding from the institute, Athletic Association, or Alumni Association.[15][40] This gives the Reck a unique level of independence that is atypical amongst college mascots.[31]
When a freshman first reaches campus for FASET (orientation), one of the many traditions that they are introduced to is that freshmen cannot touch the Reck until the completion of their first year. This rule originated in the 1963 edition of the RAT Rules.[41] If a freshman touches the Reck between convocation and the last day of classes in the Spring, they will receive bad luck throughout their college career and GT will be cursed to lose to UGA in football that year.[42]
The Reck 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 1952 yellow jacket. The body also has two solid white running boards, which run the length of the vehicle. The running boards support cheerleaders or the occasional Tech student looking for a ride. The interior upholstery is solid white vinyl. The gear shifter knob is a white globe with the classic Tech T painted on it. There are two golden nylon pennants emblazoned with the words "To Hell With Georgia" and "Give 'Em Hell Tech" fastened to the front bumper.[43]
Driver
The driver of the Ramblin' Reck is an elected position within Ramblin' Reck Club.[44][45] This position is determined after every football season. The driver manages the car's public appearances and maintenance.[46] There have only been 46 drivers of the Reck, making the position of Reck driver one of the most prestigious positions in all of Georgia Tech's student organizations.[16]
The driver gets to add their own personal touch every year to the Reck. The front license plate is chosen by the driver every year and the radiator cap is replaced yearly, as well. The cap is typically a flying quail or a wreath. After each driver's term, the driver gets to keep the two pennants, too.
Dean Dull initiated a group known as the Ramblin' Reck Committee of the Student Council to aid in his search for a mascot. When the Reck was found in 1961, the Ramblin' Reck Committee was chaired by Dekle Rountree.[47] Rountree would drive the Reck for school functions and Student Council fundraisers.[48] He was also the first person to drive the Ramblin' Reck onto Grant Field. Don Gentry, the president of Reck Club in 1961, was the first student to drive the Reck as he aided in retrieving the Model A from Ted Johnson's home.[49] The Reck was always maintained by Reck Club but the complete transition of control occurred between 1964 and 1967. During this period, Reck Club was relieved of its RAT rules enforcement duties and given more wholesome jobs of maintaining the Reck, upholding traditions, and generating school spirit.[50] Four women have officially driven the Ramblin' Reck in its history. Lisa Volmar, an industrial engineering major, was elected the driver in 1984 and she was the first female driver after 23 consecutive years of male-only drivers.[51][52]
Reck or Wreck
Many believe the name can be spelled either Ramblin' Reck or Ramblin' Wreck.[53] In all spellings, there is no g in Ramblin'. The first references to the 1930 Model A (1961) spelled the word Reck while the first references to the 1914 Model T owned by Dean Field spelled the word 'Reck (1925).[54] Ramblin' Reck Club has spelled the word Reck since their 1945 club charter.[55] Most recently, the institute has adopted the spelling Ramblin' Wreck and holds a trademark on the phrase.[56] Reck Club, the longtime owner of the vehicle still refers to it as the Ramblin' Reck while the institute refers to it as the Ramblin' Wreck.[54][57]
Travelin' Reck
In its history, the Reck has appeared at a number of away games and other events away from the Georgia Tech campus. Many of these trips resulted in damage to the Reck or other interesting anecdotes.
The first away game for the Ramblin' Reck was the 1961 game against the Alabama Crimson Tide.[49] The Reck was freighted by Southern Railway to Birmingham, Alabama. At the time, Alabama played its home games at Legion Field. Before the game, the current driver Dekle Rountree decided to traverse the slope up to visit Birmingham's Vulcan statue. The trip to Birmingham was such a success, a trip to Jacksonville for Tech's Gator Bowl appearance against Penn State was organized, as well. These were the first road and bowl game appearances for the Reck in its illustrious career.[58]
In 1963, the Ramblin' Reck Committee and Ramblin' Reck Club organized another road trip for the Reck. This trip took the Reck up to Knoxville for a game against the Tennessee Volunteers.[59] After Tech won the game, the Reck was stored overnight in Neyland Stadium. Administrators and Tennessee's Athletic Director Bob Woodruff promised Georgia Tech Athletics that the Reck would be safe.[59] They were wrong. Tennessee students broke into the storage area and painted the Reck orange. They wrote "Go Vols" in the paint and covered the gold wheels with paint, as well.[23] After the incident, Georgia Tech sent a bill to Tennessee's Athletic Department asking for restitution. Woodruff was believed to have aided the students in their efforts after he openly contested the officiating of the football contest.[59]
In 1976, Tech students took the Reck to Athens for the annual football game with UGA.[24] After the game, the Reck's police escort abandoned the car. The vehicle appeared relatively unprotected and was approached by UGA students attempting to vandalize it. The Tech students responsible for the car's safekeeping frightened the encroaching Bulldog fans away by producing a concealed 9 mm pistol.[24]
The farthest trips the Ramblin' Reck has ever traveled from Atlanta were the 1970 Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, and Denver, Colorado, in 1990 for Tech's NCAA Final Four appearance against UNLV. The Reck was freighted by van 1,400 miles (2,250 km) to Denver Coliseum.[60] Along the way, a television crew documented the trip and broadcast the Reck's expedition during the Final Four promotions.[60]
The last major road trips for the Ramblin' Reck were to the 2004 Final Four in San Antonio, the 2006 ACC Championship Game in Jacksonville, Florida, and the 2009 ACC Championship Game in Tampa's Raymond James Stadium. [61] The Reck led the Yellow Jacket football team onto Alltel Stadium's field for Tech's first appearance in the ACC title game, as well as performing the same duty in their second appearance and first win in the ACC championship game in 2009. The Reck has also been to the Orange Bowl, Gator Bowl, All-American Bowl, Sun Bowl, Peach Bowl, Citrus Bowl, and Champs Sports Bowl.[24]
On June 15, 2007, the Reck was involved in an accident while being towed to a wedding south of Atlanta in a covered car trailer. The trailer failed while carrying the Wreck, in turn causing the truck and trailer to run off the road and into the roadside ditch. The Reck fell over inside the trailer, causing damage to its side and roof.[62][63][64] Despite the severe body damage (in excess of $30,000), the Reck was repaired for the first game of the 2007 season against the Samford Bulldogs.[24][65][66]
In the media
In 1987, the Ramblin' Reck and Dean Jim Dull were featured on ABC-TV's morning show. Dean Dull shouted into the camera, "I'm Dean of Students Jim Dull and I'm a Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech. Good Morning, America!"[67] Dull was on the show because he had won a make-a-wish contest. All he wanted was for the Ramblin' Reck, gold-clad students, and himself to be on the ABC morning show and ABC granted the wish.[23]
The Ramblin' Reck has been featured in several newspapers, magazines, and books. The Ramblin' Reck is portrayed leading the Georgia Tech football team onto the field on the cover of Al Thomy's 1973 work Ramblin' Reck – A Story of Georgia Tech Football.[68] Pete George's 1982 refurbishment was featured in the November 1983 edition of the Ford Times.[69] The June 1986 edition of Cars & Parts Magazine featured the Ramblin' Reck and the raffle for the Centennial Reck.[70] The December 1991 Car Collector & Car Classics featured the Reck on the cover after the National Championship season.[26] The December 2007 Bellsouth Real White Pages for Greater Atlanta featured the Ramblin' Reck with censored flags.[71]
The Ramblin' Reck has been featured numerous times in Tech's student newspaper, The Technique, and Atlanta's primary newspaper, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.[47][49] The Reck has also been featured in The New York Times and the Associated Press.[60][62] Local newspapers such as the Cherokee Times, Augusta Chronicle, and Gwinnett Daily Post have also printed articles about the Reck.[44][46][72]
In the week prior to the 2007 home opener, the Ramblin' Reck was featured on ESPN First Take.[22] ESPN showed old clips of the Reck leading the football team onto the field and discussed the possibility of the Reck not making the football opener after 45 consecutive years of never missing a game.[22]
The Ramblin' Reck was featured prominently on the October 18, 2007 episode of Jim Cramer's Mad Money.[73] Cramer exited the Reck's passenger door to start the show and one of Cramer's trademark soundboards was attached to the front bumper.[73]
On April 16, 2009, a Georgia Tech student riding on the running board of the Ramblin' Reck fell and suffered severe head injuries hospitalizing the student for four days.[74] Almost a year later, the student filed suit against Georgia Tech and an auto shop responsible for installing handles on the roof of the car. The lawsuit cites the failure of the auto shop's handles as the reason for the fall and claims the University promoted the unsafe use of a vehicle by students.[74][75] In September 2013, the student injured in the April 2009 accident, won a settlement of $1.36 million from the Georgia Board of Regents and Eco-Clean, Inc.[76]
The 2012 edition of EA Sports' NCAA football video game featured the addition of the Ramblin' Reck leading Georgia Tech's football team onto the field at all games played in Bobby Dodd Stadium.[77] The Ramblin' Reck was included in the game alongside many other colleges' pre-game traditions to "deliver the pride and pageantry of game day".[78]
Ramblin' replicas
Several vehicles claim "Ramblin' Reck status." However, only one car is the official Ramblin' Reck, with no backups or equivalent vehicles.[65]
- The most famous of the fake Recks is a 1931 Ford Model A Cabriolet known as the Centennial Reck. This vehicle was refurbished along with the real Reck in 1985. The vehicle followed the Ramblin' Reck onto the field all of the 1985 football season and was raffled for $250,000 by Pete George and Georgia Tech in 1986.[79]
- In 1988, the Alumni Association purchased a 1931 Ford Model A Roadster and restored the vehicle again in 1994.[80] The Alumni Reck is distinguished by its spare tire locations on the driver's side and passenger-side running boards and the words "Georgia Tech Alumni Association" printed on the doors. It also has a convertible top. On the real Reck, the spare is behind the rumble seat and the roof cannot be removed or lowered.
- A 1930 Ford Model A Sports Coupe shell is kept in the Georgia Tech Hotel. This car has not worked since it has been on campus. The motor is incomplete and the front end lacks the Reck's chrome stone guard. This is one of the few replicas that is almost identical in make, model, and paint scheme when compared to the real Ramblin' Reck.[81]
- Also, several alumni-owned vehicles are painted to resemble the Reck. These vehicles mimic the look and feel of the car, but are not the Ramblin' Reck. One of the most famous instances of mistaken identity occurred in 1988.[82] A father-son duo of Georgia Tech alumni attempted to lead the Tech football team onto the field at Sanford Stadium in Athens. After getting inside of the stadium with their gold 1924 Ford Model T, the two were finally stopped by Georgia officials, who were informed the real Ramblin' Reck had remained in Atlanta.[82]
- Several B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators and at least one F4U Corsair were designated the name Ramblin' Reck during service in World War II.[83][84]
- The Chicago Brewing Company features an amber ale by the name of Ramblin' Reck Amber Ale.[85]
See also
- Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate – the rivalry between Tech and UGA
- Georgia Tech traditions – a comprehensive list of Georgia Tech Traditions
- Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech – the fight song of Georgia Tech
- WREK FM – the college radio station of Georgia Tech, whose name and callsign comes directly from the Reck
Other student-owned vintage and veteran vehicles:
- Jezebel – a 1916 Dennis Fire Engine at Imperial College London
- A 1929 Dennis Charabanc owned by Southampton University
- A 1902 James and Browne car and 1926 Ner-a-Car owned by the City and Guilds College
- A 1926 Morris truck owned by the Royal School of Mines
Similar vehicular mascots at other universities:
- The Boilermaker Special – A replica locomotive built on a truck chassis which has served as the official mascot of Purdue University since 1940.
- The Sooner Schooner – a pioneering wagon and a symbol of the University of Oklahoma
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External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ramblin' Wreck.
- The Georgia Institute of Technology Traditions Page
- The Georgia Tech Alumni Association Traditions Page
- The Official Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Website
- Ramblin' Reck Club
- CSTV - Ramblin' Wreck Featurette on October 19, 2005
- CSTV - Ramblin' Wreck Featurette on September 13, 2007
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