Gumball Rally

[1795]

Just finished watching it again. It is a fun movie, and of course the cobra won.

[EM-0785]

Originally Posted by EM-0785

Great stuff there Bill!

I spent time searching online some months back to no avail. Figured ‘someone' might know, yet not much online!

The Gumball Rally changed my life for the better. It was my first view of a Cobra and I was determined to have one.

Our niece, on my wife’s side, lived with us 5 summers and many weekends in the school year when she’d lost her parents. She was then lost in a tragic car accident at age 16.

Our family had been fond of swimming with sea turtles in Hawaii. Her cousin honored her by getting a turtle tattoo with our niece’s thumbprint pattern as the turtle shell.

Fast forward over a decade…Last year my wife began having positive, heartfelt dreams of wave after wave of sea turtles frolicking all around her at the seashore in the sun. It made her think fondly of our niece.

That same week I bought the Gumball Rally so I could finally watch it ‘at will’. I’d seen it many times before. My wife loves the Cobra, and this was the first time for her watching the movie. We had a great time watching it together.

At the end, the Cobra reigned victorious and they showed the trophy. Our jaws dropped and we just sat there in awe, rewinding several times, both our eyes locked on the crown jewel of our Cobra relationship. The turtle atop the Gumball trophy, of course, a golden turtle.

All the times I’d watched that movie before, I’d never once noticed any turtle. Life was aligned at this point and the Cobra was meant to be. Now I get to spend freely on it and not look back! ☺

Long story short, if that trophy ever presented itself, I’d gladly be in the running for it. I’m sure I’m not the only one. I’d love to present that to my wife, I think it would be very meaningful to her.

That’s my turtle story…

Brent

We Took Home the Trophy!

As a follow-up to my prior Gumball Rally trophy/turtle post (quoted herein), our NW group members Tom (Alfa02) and Tim (aka: Tim & Jamie!) set out to make this a reality, with a secret works project. It was quite a heartfelt and fun surprise they presented to us at our recent club gathering.

While the original movie trophy wasn’t to be found, they went to work creating a ‘real’ replica. What an unbelievable job they did! They identified the original gumball machine manufacturer and located a matching classic machine and refurbished it as a basis for their overall creation.

They had a custom walnut base turned on a lathe. They located a woodworking expert who hand carved the turtle, mounted via an integrated key that sets into the top cover keyhole. They located an expert to create the concave wording placard.

For a special touch, they searched out gumballs individually stamped with ‘Ford’. For a complete set, they included a framed Gumball Rally trophy/turtle movie poster.

The goal was certainly achieved, Joan was lifting her glasses and wiping her eyes! This will be the central piece for our planned Cobra alcove and very special. A fitting display too for a picture of Nicole and copy of the story to go with it.

This thing is sturdy, almost takes two people to lift it. Tim, ever thoughtful, pulled me aside and pointed out a couple minor areas that aren’t an exact replication, and explained how I could address later if ever interested. That is what I call Tim quality!

This will remain, for us, the most meaningful replica ever produced in the Cobra world!

Great job you guys, a winning effort and presentation, from some real winners! This will also commemorate our big win in meeting the wonderful folks in this group. Great to see everybody…

Brent & Joan

[Alfa02]

Brent I'm so happy Joan enjoyed this, you were just a after thought In all seriousness, the hardest thing was "Keeping this Secret" you know me To the rest of the club, Tim & I did this, because it could bring joy, to two of our very special friends (Again our Cobra Family) Cobras just bring the best out in people, as Brent & I have said, we should have done (Brought Cobras) years ago. You're more than welcome, my friend Cheers TommyRot.

[Harpoon PV2]

The best thing about The Gumball Rally was, it is much closer to the real Cannonball then the movie with that title. There really were some guys that tried to drive straight through in a van loaded with gas. But, in real life Brock Yates and Dan Gurney won in a Ferrari Daytona! Dan talked about going through New Mexico at over 185 with one hand! He did get a ticket, but at a much slower speed. The time to win the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy was,35 hours and 54 minutes! My favorite line was when the one NY cop turns to the other and says, "it's going to be a nice day!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTT1_JZp2Sg

[mrmustang]

That trophy is outstanding, I too have the correct gumball machine, and found the correct base after many years. Still searching for the correct turtle. Any chance you could have a second plaque made?


Bill S.

[EM-0785]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

That trophy is outstanding, I too have the correct gumball machine, and found the correct base after many years. Still searching for the correct turtle. Any chance you could have a second plaque made?


Bill S.

Bill,

It appears I'm seeing this before Tom...I'm sure it's a high probability which Tom/Tim can assist with. If needed, the wood worker could certainly borrow ours as needed for a model if helpful.

I wonder if a 3D printer would work for this as another option?

Brent

[CobraResurrect]

FYI
I remember I was reading about the original race back in 1971.
One entrant was a guy who was paid to deliver a luxury car, maybe a Cadillac or Lincoln and was supposed to keep it under 60 and only drive during the day.
Another was a van filled with gas cans.
And of course Dan Gurney and co-driver who won just under 36 hours. He mentioned cruising at 100 mph through the desert. And at one time a GTO coming up along side and Dan just put his foot into it and pulled away.
Surprisingly the van finished second less than an hour later.

[KarlzEE Bebout]

Wasn't the "van" a Dodge ambulance? Uber sneaky!

[Alfa02]

A new friend (He brought the Noble M-400) told me he rode in the Gurney/Yates Ferrari Daytona just last year. One of our BIG TIME collectors here (Seattle) owns that Kirk F. White car. And yes Karlos I have to have "New" friends the old ones are tried of me TommyRot. Bill, I can help with the carving and sticker, I have #'s for both of them, The sticker is a PITA, to get just right.