Ghost Ryder is a 1968 Ford Mustang monster truck that is owned by Larry Quick and driven by Johnny Davenport. The truck was formerly Pony Express/Reaper/Pure Vengance. The truck is most famous for being the first truck to successfully pull off a backflip at a public event.
History[]
In December 2007, the truck debuted, sporting a red body with a plain white logo. The truck would receive various new logos throughout its first few months of competition. The truck was primarily used as a stunt truck during this time, specifically for backflips. However, there were a few times where the truck would actually compete.
In 2008, the truck would have what many consider its breakout season. The truck receives a slightly updated logo, which would stick with the truck until 2013. Later in the year, the truck would complete the worlds first ever monster truck backflip. Later on in the year, the truck receives a sponsor from Steve Austin, as well as an all new inverted white body with a red logo. This was dubbed as Texas Rattlesnake Ghost Ryder.
In 2009, the Texas Rattlesnake sponsor would end midway through the year.
In 2010, Quick would resume using the standard Ghost Ryder body. He would also be invited into the Monster Truck Mafia that year.
In 2011, the truck was supposed to receive an all new scheme for the Monster Truck Mafia, however, said scheme was eventually cancelled.
In 2012, the truck would be converted into Dare Devil, as a temporary truck for Quick, while a new chassis was being constructed for the following year.
In 2013, the truck would debut an all new in-house chassis, which was made more for competitive use, than stunt use. The truck would also debut a new black body, with flame decals on the side, as well as an all new logo.
In 2015, the first chassis would be sold to Dave Cooley, who would convert the truck into Pony Express.
In 2019, the truck would receive a slightly updated paint scheme, mainly the change of color on the front of the grill from black to red. The new scheme listed many accomplishments made by Quick, such as completing the first backflip in a monster truck.
Starting in 2021, the truck would primarily compete with Monster Truckz.
Quick would continue to pilot the truck until May of 2023, when Johnny Davenport would take over driving duties.
Trivia[]
- The truck was originally a last minute idea, as a result of Larry not having his Reaper name anymore due to legal issues with the owner of the name.
- The name “Ghost Ryder” originated from a phone call between Larry and Ed Beckley. Beckley asked Quick if he still had the old Pony Express body, and that he should run that body on his truck, and rename it to “Ghost Rider”, however, due to potential legal issues with Marvel Comics (who were the owners of the Ghost Rider name), and disliking the name and Mustang body, Quick would politely decline the idea at first. However, a week later, Quick would finally agree to run the name. He would replace the “i” in Rider with a “y”.
- The reason for the "y" in Ghost Ryder was a marketing technique to make the truck more recognizable from a distance, similar to why Jim Koehler chose Avenger's paint scheme to be lime green in 2011.
- As well as owning the Ghost Ryder trademark, Quick also owns the "Most Hated" trademark too (See gallery)
- Before completing the first practice backflip attempt, Quick was told by many people who were present that it would be impossible for him to land the flip.
- In May 2023, Larry would make a Facebook post about his last week driving Ghost Ryder, leading many people to believe he sold the trucks.
- This would be completely false however, as it would turn out that a deal was made for Monster Trucks Most Wanted owner, Johhny Davenport to drive Larry's trucks, with Quick still having ownership of the trucks. The reason for the deal was due to Davenport not having enough money to purchase both trucks.
- Larry has also built a full-scale Ghost Ryder replica out of PVC pipes. (See gallery)