MTM2.com

Rep Fan's Truck Number Two Hundred

• God Of Thunder ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=4512">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=4512">pic</a> )

In recognition of the release of Rep Fan's 200th 'anniversary' truck, I think this occassion merits a few words over the normal quiet business-like manner the mtm community often greets truck releases, any truck release, and the quality of which we all-too-often take for granted. Now, with two hundred truck releases, and everything else RF has done (which is no small amount), it's hard to know where to begin, what to talk about and what, for the sake of brevity, to leave out. So, looking for a way in to this topic, I scoured our database and the first-dated truck I could find is his old USA-1.

The Earliest

• 1970 Chevrolet USA1 ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=742">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=742">pic</a> )

It's dated April 21, 2001. I have no idea whether or not this is his first actual truck, but there's no denying from the date, which is probably close enough, and he'll be the first to confirm, that he was by no means an early bird to the game. At that time, there were already over two thousand trucks made for mtm, evo was in full swing, and many people would've had you believe that this game had run it's course, the finest work had been done, and there was nothing left for it but to move on. Needless to say, those nay-sayers were totally off the mark. Rep Fan (and his contemporaries, but this isn't about them) entered the scene and proceeded to re-write the book. The output and the quality were so far above anything that had come before that he literally changed the face of the game.

Naturally, with a name like Replica Fan (which he abbreviated to Rep Fan in late '02) it's no surprise to learn that his mainstay was replicas of the 'Old School' monster trucks. That is, just about anything pre-monster jam but with particular emphasis on the 1980's period. Now, if you want to see all Rep Fan's work, the easiest way is to head on over to the <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/trucks.cgi?search=Rep+Fan">download pages</a> or better yet, over to <a href="http://teamslo.net/repfan/">his site</a> and check things out. For this tribute, however, allow me to hook you up with a few, and only a few, of the ones that caught my eye.

Replicas

• Beast 4X4 ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=895">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=895">pic</a> )
• Bigfoot Power Wheels ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=22">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=22">pic</a> )
• Blue Thunder ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=25">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=25">pic</a> )
• Coors Brewser II ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=897">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=897">pic</a> )
• Desperado ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=860">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=860">pic</a> )
• Frankenstein ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=37">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=37">pic</a> )
• Goliath ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=3873">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=3873">pic</a> )
• Krimson Krusher ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=864">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=864">pic</a> )
• Leadfoot ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=49">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=49">pic</a> )
• Master Of Disaster ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=52">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=52">pic</a> )
• Michigan Ice Monster ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=54">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=54">pic</a> )
• Night Life II ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=3875">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=3875">pic</a> )
• Original Carolina Crusher ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=29">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=29">pic</a> )
• Ragin' Steel ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=62">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=62">pic</a> )
• Real Grave Digger ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=64">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=64">pic</a> )
• The Black Stallion ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=4230">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=4230">pic</a> )
• Virginia Giant ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=3882">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=3882">pic</a> )

See more here : http://mtm2.com/~trucks/replicas.cgi?s=Rep+Fan

But it doesn't stop with replicas either. Rep Fan has never allowed himself to get caught in a rut, and might just as well have named himself Custom Fan because he's never been afraid to step out into new things and try new, original designs. Again, I've put a short list together so you can sample some of what he's done.

Customs

• 1935 Ford Pickup ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=4501">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=4501">pic</a> )
• 1948 Willys Woody ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=83">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=83">pic</a> )
• 1953 Dodge Power Wagon ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=3868">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=3868">pic</a> )
• 1971 Bronco ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=861">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=861">pic</a> )
• 1971 GMC Panel ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=4398">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=4398">pic</a> )
• Blown Outa Proportion ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=4361">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=4361">pic</a> )
• Extreme Insanity ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=3881">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=3881">pic</a> )
• Pure Chevrolet ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=4513">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=4513">pic</a> )
• Richter Scale ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=4424">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=4424">pic</a> )
• TNT Bomber ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=4425">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=4425">pic</a> )
• Tsunami Terror ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=778">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=778">pic</a> )

Now, it is to Rep Fan's credit that he's never taken himself, the game, or anything that's being done too seriously and he's always managed to find time to include a bit of fun, even off-beat humor, in his truck making, and at the same time, do it with quality, with flare, and with style. Check out a few of these nifty rigs.

Fun

• International 8100 ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=868">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=868">pic</a> )
• Lil Duece Coupe ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=2911">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=2911">pic</a> )
• Mud Molester( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=55">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=55">pic</a> )
• Sinister Subaru ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=67">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=67">pic</a> )
• The Galloping Gremlin ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=39">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=39">pic</a> )
• The Pizza Geek ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=3883">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=3883">pic</a> )
• Tonka T550 ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=4400">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=4400">pic</a> )

For this next batch, I'm only going to include one truck. The reason is the list would be just too too long otherwise. One of the things that sets Rep Fan apart from most other builders is his willingness to contribute to the community as a whole, and while he almost never entertains the idea of taking requests for trucks, he's probably done more personal vehicles than almost any other maker. In fact, he's done them for entire teams. For this one, however, I'm going to hook you up with the first truck ever entered into our new, at the time, database of mtm trucks - which just so happens to be the name sake of cownap.com co-owner Malibu350.

Friends

• '67 Malibu ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=1">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=1">pic</a> )

For this next one, I think it's just about everybody's dream, who's ever played this game, to have their own real-life vehical created as a drivable mtm truck. And, naturally, Rep Fan wouldn't exempt himself from this bit of self-indulgence, wouldn't deny himself this bit of fun. And, after all, why should he. The thing with this one, tho, is it's such a fine ride and free from personal markings that anybody can enjoy using it.

His own truck

• My 1979 Chevy Stepside ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=4359">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=4359">pic</a> )

Which leaves us with two points left to cover on the truck making front. First, is that if you search 'rep fan' on the <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/trucks.cgi?search=Rep+Fan">download page</a> we find that (on this date sept 4, '04) we get only 162 hits... which sort of leaves us shy of the two hundred mark. It is my guess that this results from not uploading all the personal trucks he's made, as well as omitting his fleet of <a href="http://teamslo.net/repfan/buicks.htm">Buicks</a>. The only response I can give to that, of course, is that we want them all. Personals and Buicks included. Meantime, they're all at his site, so we needn't feel deprived ;-)

Secondly, and I don't want to start any wild rumors, but it's just possible that Rep Fan is already well beyond the two hundred mark. Take, for example, his 'bad rice' truck released under a pseudonym. Now, I have no idea why anybody releases anything except under their own name, but once you know somebody is prone to pen names, aliases, and anonymity there's just no way to imagine how many others have been released under a cloak of secrecy.

Pseudonym

• Bad Rice ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/dl.cgi?dl=3884">dl</a> | <a href="http://mtm2.com/~trucks/truckpic.cgi?thistruck=3884">pic</a> )

I wanted to keep the list short, but there's just too much fine stuff to pass anything over. And believe me, this is just a smattering. Do yourself a favor and set aside an hour or two and just browse the pages and have a look at everything.

<center><hr width="500"></center>

No, we're not done yet.

Making trucks is only one facet of Rep Fan. In addition to the two hundred we've been talking about, he's also put together one of the largest <a href="http://teamslo.net/repfan/scraps.htm">custom wheel pages</a> on the internet, he's made several <a href="http://teamslo.net/repfan/props.htm">track props</a> even tho he's never made a track himself, and more than anything else, he's made himself available to give help and assistance to anybody who has the civility to speak in a friendly and deserving manner. And yes, he's been an invaluable help on our own site here. Whenever anything was needed, no matter how big or how small, Rep was the first man to the plate.

And speaking of deserving, members of the mtm community have been so gratified with Rep Fan's contributions that his own personal site has been hosted first on <a href="http://www.mw-gaming.com/">mw-gaming.com</a> by Infinity2187 and then on <a href="http://teamslo.net/">teamslo.net</a> by Cope and the gang. And more! More? Yes, and more, and I don't think I've ever seen this done before, but there have been not one but two tracks made in thanks and recognition for everything Rep Fan has done. The first was by <a href="http://cownap.com/~tracks/tracks.cgi?s=HotShoe">SLO_HotShoe</a> and featured an art gallery style display of many of Rep Fan's trucks up to that time, and the second was by <a href="http://cownap.com/~tracks/tracks.cgi?s=BowtieBandit2004">BowtieBandit2004</a> and was created in one of the many driving styles Rep Fan prefers to run.

Tracks

• Replica Fan's Gallery by SLO_HotShoe ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~tracks/dl.cgi?dl=3702">dl</a> | <a href="http://cownap.com/~tracks/details.cgi?t=3702">details</a> | <a href="http://cownap.com/~tracks/trackshot.cgi?mode=pic&thistrack=3702">pic</a> )
• Rep Fan's Garage by BowtieBandit2004 ( <a href="http://mtm2.com/~tracks/dl.cgi?dl=3896">dl</a> | <a href="http://cownap.com/~tracks/details.cgi?t=3896">details</a> | <a href="http://cownap.com/~tracks/trackshot.cgi?mode=pic&thistrack=3896">pic</a> )

I could probably go on, but I better wrap it up before getting carried away. In parting, I'll just add that any new comer to the mtm community would do well to look at Rep Fan and hold him up as the role model to emulate. He's set new standards in just about everything he's touched, from truck making to truckshots, and everything in between.

Here's to the next two hundred, Rep. And thanks.

<center><img src="http://forum.mtm2.com/images/smiles/smilie_cheers.gif" width="60" height="40"></center>

Congrads Kevin, thats awsome man. Here's to the next two hundred.

A fine tribute to a very fine fellow

Well done on all those trucks, Kevin. I'm excited!

Thank you Phin, the check is in the mail bro...

Actually my first truck was Bearfoot 1, and that was in December 1st 1999 and it was a replica. It totally sucked, and always will. Over a couple years after that, I finally learned what I was doing.

And after redoing 90% of my reps at least 3 times to date, my count should be closer to 500. All I have to say is, that I owe my biggest grattitude to Greg Galbreth, better known to most of you racers as RIP_PonyExpress. We raced one night, and became immediate friends.

Then he taught himself, and eventually me how to use these crazy programs. Then after tons of questions asked here, and with the answers, I made a virtual career.

The rest is history.

I used an alias on that one, cuz I did it as a joke, and didn't wanna be associated with it, lol.

Yes, I never uploaded any of my Buicks here, I dunno why, I think I finally got it through my head that Monster Cars look kinda silly. But as for the 200 thing, that is how many I've made, not released. That isn't counting all the Team SLO trucks either, so counting those it would be well over 200.

But thanks for the great write up Phineus, I wouldn't have gotten to this point if it wasn't for the guidance of your "this" site, and all the guys that spare no expense to help everyone out. Phineus, Malibu350, BigDogge, Winterkill, Drive2Survive, etc. I'm only as good as you all have made me.

Especially BigDogge, if it wasn't for alot of his parts, many of my trucks, wouldn't even exist.

I thank you all!

Great stuff, A very well diserved ovation. RF's trucks are without doubt some of the best around to race with. Without you RF the world wouldn't be the same (lol ok maybe that's a little over but heck it sound good)

200 trucks mean some serious time and dedication. Thanks a bunch buddy.

Nice post.

Btw... who's Rep Fan? I heard that somebody else has 200 trucks (non-slo) and he's called Naf Per.

Shortly after I joined the SLO team, Kevin made me a great looking, good handling truck "SLO_PaPa's '57" (Chevy). It was much nicer than I anticipated. And I still think (in my totally unbiased opinion) that it's one of his best efforts

A few (or more) months ago he built a great handling truck (sorry, Kevin, I forget which one now) and I wrote him a note and told him how much I enjoyed it. I "casually" mentioned that if he were sitting around looking for something to do, he could rework my truck to handle like that one.

Next thing I know, here it comes. The setup is amazing. I didn't tell him I wanted anything in particular except for him to do what he thought was best. I just deferred to his best judgement. Turned out to be a wise move on my part.

Most of you know that I'm not a great driver, but I have set any number of personal bests with this truck. I really enjoy driving it, even practicing by myself.

I appreciate the efforts of everyone who works to make this MTM2 community what it is at its core - a place to relax and enjoy the cameraderie of the many folks we meet here.

Thanks, Kevin, for your willingness to share your talent with the rest of us.

<img src="http://forum.mtm2.com/images/smiles/smilie_tup.gif">



<center><img src="http://malibu350.com/images/mtmgbbs/licenseRF.jpg">



http://mtm2.com/~trucks/trucks.cgi?search=rep+fan




<img src="http://forum.mtm2.com/images/smiles/smilie_cheers.gif">

</center>

Well well well. Turns out there's two hundred after all.

http://mtm2.com/~trucks/trucks.cgi?s=rep+fan

Hey Kevin,

Thanks for the kind words. Funny thing, today, I did a google search on my name to see what would come up. lol, I found this posting.

I don't make it a habit of posting, most of the time when I do, it gets deleted. (inside joke eh Kevin) Let me just say, there were alot of people unwilling to share the roost, and I spoke harshly to some prominent truckbuilders. I hope to keep this one tame.

Kevin and I go back to I believe somewhere around September or October of 2000. I had just found the MTM communitee, and I think Kevin was the first friend I made. Even back in High School (sad to say 20 yrs ago), I always wanted to program a monster truck game. To my amazement, when I bought mtm and went on the zone and found I could build tracks and trucks; I had to downloaded all sorts of information on how to make a truck.

I ran into "Shooter" aka Rep Fan and I got motivated to make him a truck since nobody else he asked would. He had an idea of a 2-tone; ie, 2 colors, chevy pickup. I said, I think I can do it. About a week later, I gave him a final product. Needless to say, as you all have seen, Rep Fan loved what I did for him, but it wasnt good enough. Needed some mods. And a list came forth. At this point in time, I was thinking, omy I will never get it right.

Hence, I decided, I will show him how to do it. I actually saved the conversation in a text file and still have it. I think we painted a shock, and assembled the truck. Anyways, Rep Fan started building trucks like crazy. I think he sent me about 10 before ever posting one on vales.

I used to have every email he sent me, but I have lost most of those emails do to a computer crash. (Many thanks to Phinus's efforts for helping me sorting out issues with my pc) However, I am pretty certain, I have my original truck I made for Kevin and his version of the truck. Now that I looked in a merged pod of Reps trucks. I have his first 50 trucks, originals, not the n-generation trucks; perhaps some nobody has since Rep Fan had a hard drive crash.

I was going to post a picture of the first truck, but my computer is low on resources and I cant seem to get a snapshot at the moment.

After awhile, Rep Fan wanted a website, so I built him one. I think when that happened, Rep Fan fan had about 100 trucks. I still have a copy of the site and trucks that were in it. Eventually, that honor of webhost went to Beeks. Beeks has better graphic ability then I, so I let it slide. I was kinda proud of that site; didn't really like giving it up.



Well, thats my story, I haven't spoke with Rep Fan about this, but if there is interest, I could certainly make those first trucks available.

Happy Trails,


PonyExpress

> I could certainly make those first trucks available.

Rep fan asked me a while back if there was a way for him to update his trucks - he's been constrantly redoing them - so I made a special page for him, and he's been over-writing the old ones as he makes improvements. However, if you got 'em, let's figure out a way to get 'em over here. We'll find a place for them.

*bows to the god of thunder, and truck making *
Wow, Repfans trucks are alawys better and better with each new truck. I bet if he could set up a big screen some where, he could trick alot of foalks thinking is trucks where real
Good job!

You may as well drop the "big screen" suggestion, E.D....There's no way of doing that, short of reprogramming the game, and that would be beyond our abilities (and probably illegal too, if you wanted to sell or give away copies of a modified game).

nono, nothing to do with moding the ganme, just puting it on a projector ect, like in a movie theater

Ick!

Pony, don't you dare! My first trucks were just pathetic, and I've been doing my hardest job trying to get rid of all of those heaps.

I can't stand my "Rookie" trucks, that's why I had Phin hook me up with my own page that I can update my old versions with the best of the best.

So, PE, let's keep the past in the past bud. lol

But thanks for all the great comments you guys, I just do my best, and try to make them as real as possible, or till I think they are the best I can do. Sadly, I'm still learning new ways of tweaking the game, and making my trucks better.

I'm no professional 3D modeler like the rest of you guys, but you guys gotta admit, my stuff looks pretty great for a hack...

I think your work is very impressive. You understate your talents, bro...

Not sad at all, it's what keeps us all saying 'wow!'...

I think, if ever it happened, the day the magic goes out of it would be the saddest of all. Keep truckin' on!