Vette King was a 1953 Chevrolet Corvette ProMod monster truck owned by Clear Channel Entertainment. Since its debut in 2002, the truck has been driven by various drivers over the course of its career, with its most notable being Brandon Harrington, Lee O'Donnell and Adam Anderson. After being originally released as a concept idea under the Hot Wheels Monster Jam diecast line, Vette King was created as a full-sized monster truck, serving as the replacement for Sting.
History[]
- 2002 - Vette King makes its debut on January 4, 2002 in Birmingham with Brandon Harrington behind the wheel on the former Sting chassis. During its debut season, the truck serves as the touring partner to Gary Porter's Grave Digger. Vette King makes its televised debut in Houston that year. The truck would also run an IHRA flag during the year, as Monster Jam's parent company had purchased the IHRA the year prior, and since Vette King's body closely resembled a Corvette ProMod dragster body.
- 2003 - Brandon moves to Spider-Man for the 2003 season, leaving Vette King without a full-time driver and resulting in the truck being relegated to a fill-in status. It runs on the chassis used for Demolition Man for at least two shows with rookie driver George Balhan driving. Brandon eventually returns Vette King after the first quarter, back on its original chassis after Spider-Man is retired.
- 2004 - With Brandon back behind the wheel, Vette King returns to full-time competition, still touring with Gary Porter. It makes its second and ultimately final televised appearance in Indianapolis during the season. At the end of the season, Brandon moves to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, with Vette King's chassis being converted into the orange bandana Turtle truck which Brandon campaigns going into the following year.
- 2005 - In its last season, Vette King receives a new chassis, as well as a pair of new drivers. Lee O'Donnell takes control of Vette King, touring alongside Bobby Zee in Monster Mutt, with Bobby also filling in on occasion. Meanwhile, Adam Anderson makes his driving debut at the age of nineteen, behind the wheel of Vette King in Uniondale. The following weekend, Adam wins racing during the first show in Salt Lake City by defeating Lee, who was substituting for Bobby in Monster Mutt. This victory was showcased in an Around the USHRA segment. The truck would later be displayed at the World Finals VI pit party. Vette King is retired at the end of the season and its chassis is converted into Batman for 2006.
Trivia[]
- Ellis Edwards was originally listed as the driver for Vette King in the 2003 Monster Jam Souvenir Yearbook. However, no record of him competing in the truck has ever surfaced.
- Vette King's body was once stolen after a show while in Miami.
- Despite being retired from competition by the end of the 2005 season, Vette King was once seen on display at Digger's Dungeon in 2006.
Gallery[]
Original Hot Wheels concept.
.jpg "Vette1(1).jpg (88 KB)")
Vette King at its debut show in Pontiac, circa January 2002.
.jpg "Vette3(1).jpg (104 KB)")
Vette King, circa 2003.
Vette King on the Demolition Man chassis, circa 2003.
.jpg "Screenshot (2698).jpg (129 KB)")
Vette King competing in Miami 2003.
Vette King, circa 2004.
Vette King with its new chassis, circa 2005.
Vette King under Adam Anderson, circa 2005.
Vette King on display at Digger's Dungeon, circa 2006.
Logo.
.jpg "2001 Vette King (3).jpg (372 KB)")
Hot Wheels 1:64 scale.
Video[]
Adam Andersons FIRST!!!! freestyle vette king Uniondale 2005
Adam Anderson debuts under Vette King
Monster Jam Pontiac 2002