There are some vehicles that change everything. The Herbst Truggy is one of those vehicles. It not only challenged Class 1 rules but its form over function aesthetics set a tone that celebrated and revered its ugliness, rebelling against the idea of pretty, perhaps non-functional design. It’s an idea that carries through today as we scoff at new vehicles thinking, “I wonder how long until it breaks?”
The Herbst Truggy embraced and evolved the idea of having truly “Unlimited” class restrictions, an idea that has challenged some of the best manufacturers and engineers in the world and sent them home scratching their heads. Off-road is the only form of motorsport left in the world that is truly “Unlimited”, a fact that is to be celebrated.
The Herbst Truggy is the steroid pumped Brock Lesnar of off-road racing, both terrifyingly brutal and satisfying. We worship its strength. Affectionately known as “El Tiburón” or the “Land Shark”, its classic war plane style nose glossed with of a full set of shark teeth ready to chomp on anything that gets in its way has become one of the most distinguished vehicles in off-road racing.
The Truggy immediately devoured the competition, taking back-to-back Baja 1000 victories, numerous Baja 500 wins, and multiple championships. It literally took years for the competition to catch up. Not only did it crush the competition in Class 1 but it consistently shamed the Trophy Trucks as well.
Originally built for Jerry Herbst to race Class 1, the Mike Smith designed Truggy was designed to be simpler and stronger than the current class 1 cars by eliminating the plunged rear axle in favor of the tougher solid rear axle of a Trophy Truck. The Truggy started with 37 inch tires but grew to 39 inch tires once they were available to take on the massive holes of Baja. Mike Smith not only designed and built the truck but hand-built custom shocks until larger shocks became a standard.
It is the late Master fabricator Mike McQueen who is actually credited for coming up with the Land Shark livery. After punching holes to allow airflow to the header, he stepped back and noticed it looked like gills on a shark which perfectly complemented the pointy nose. The teeth were added from there.
El Tiburón’s brutish looks mask many of its innovations, like the upper Uniball joints with unlimited angle.
Most recently, the Herbst Truggy burnt to the ground during the NORRA Mexican 1000 but the Herbst and Mike Smith have vowed it will be rebuilt and raced again.
| Owner | Terrible Herbst Motorsports |
| Builder | Mike Smith Fabrication |
| Date Completed | 1995 |
| Chassis | Mike Smith Fabrication |
| Weight | 5,900 lbs |
| Wheel Base | 125” / 3,175 mm |
| Track Width | 96” Front, 91” Rear |
Performance
| Engine | Patton Racing Engines, 454in small block, Ford V8 |
| Cooling | Ron Davis Radiators |
| Exhaust | R.E.F. Unlimited, Stainless |
| Plumbing | Brown & Miller Racing Solution |
| Transmission | Culhane Racing Transmission Turbo 400 |
| Driveline | Driveline Unlimited |
| Brakes | 13” Brembo 4-piston calipers |
| Fuel Cell | 64 gallon Harmon Fuel Cell, Weldon fuel pumps |
Exterior
| Tires | 39 x 13.5 R17 BFGoodrich KR |
| Wheels | 17” Ultra Xtreme Wheel |
| Paint/ Graphics | Airbrush- Gator Graphics / Vinyl – Patrick’s Signs |
| Body | McQueen prototype |
| Front Suspension | A-arm, Mike Smith solid piston Bypass shock, Mike Smith coilover, Mike Smith Racing shocks, 30” travel |
| Rear Suspension | Solid axel, 4-link, trailing arm designs, Chrisman 11” third member, 34” travel, Mike Smith Solid piston bypass shock, Mike Smith coilover, Mike Smith Racing Shock |
| Steering | Steering box, Power Steering Solution pump, Smith ram |
| Paneling | Carbon, Aluminum |
| Wiring | Tom Oliva, American Wire Harness |
| Lights | KC HiLites |
Interior
| Navigation | Lawrence GPS, Leadnav Systems |
| Communication | Kenwood 50w Radio, PCI Intercom |
| Seats | Cobra Technology |
| Safety | Simpson harnesses, Mastercraft Safety window nets |
Photography by: Vincent Knakal // MadMedia
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