Wreck repairs present an opportunity

It's been a tough week for our beloved mechanical mascot, the Ramblin' Wreck, after an accident on I-75 last Friday came quite close to destroying it.

That the damage was mostly to the exterior of the vehicle, and that the motor and drive train seem to remain intact are truly fortunate for the Tech community. Likewise, it is remarkable that the driver, John Bird, and his brother Matt escaped serious injury as the Expedition they were using to tow the Wreck was totaled.

Another incredible thing coming from the accident is the support that has been pouring in from people in the Tech community who have an attachment to the Wreck.

Particularly, support has come from concerned alumni who want to ensure the trusty 1930 Model A Sports Coupe will return without a hitch for this fall's home games, where it will undoubtedly roll onto the field to even more thunderous applause than it typically generated before.

Normal school pride has a lot to do with this outpouring, but the Wreck has a special appeal that is like no other school's mascot. It's not another guy jumping around in a costume (with sincere apologies to Buzz, who is fantastic as our other, more conventional mascot).

It's something more real and meaningful; its history on wheels, owned, celebrated and meticulously cared for by the same students who experience its charm, not just on game day, but for all kinds of events from building dedications to alumni weddings, as was to be the case on the Wreck's recent ill-fated journey.

Now it's up to those student and alumni caretakers from the Ramblin' Reck Club to take the wrecked vehicle apart, identify the extent of the damage, and get it back into game shape in just a few months.

Instead of merely restoring the vehicle to its original condition (or coming as close as possible), perhaps those builders could consider exercising some latitude with their restoration project and exploring new ways that the Wreck could exemplify what Tech stands for.

Mess with the Wreck? The mere suggestion of changing anything about our school's most recognizable icon might sound like blasphemy.

After all, the current Wreck has served our campus faithfully since 1961, freak trailer accidents notwithstanding, and in doing so has represented Tech as a place deeply rooted in tradition and honor as well as being a school with an attitude (ever read those flags in the front?).

If the Ramblin' Reck Club can return the Wreck to its original splendor, it will be a true testament not just to the abilities and work ethic of those individuals involved with the restoration but to their school spirit as well. That achievement alone would be as much as anybody could really ask for.

But imagine if it were possible to utilize this opportunity to give a new dimension of character to the Wreck, allowing it to represent not only who we the Tech community are, but also what we do.

Right now, the Wreck is a wonderful link to Tech's past, but can we use it to symbolize Tech's future as well?

I have this idea of the Wreck doing its usual routine, storming onto the football field or occupying a prominent position next to top administrators during some official ceremony, and at the same time being a tangible and conspicuous symbol of the kind of cutting-edge research and innovation that happens on our campus all the time.

Now I don't propose that we put wings on the sides and try to make the Wreck fly. On second thought, if that is in any way possible, I'd really love to see that. But let's start a little smaller.

Take the Wreck's motor for instance: an original combustion engine from the 1929 production line. Miraculously, it went undamaged in the accident.

I'd like to see it pulled out and placed in a history exhibit somewhere. A fuel cell could take its place, or maybe a biodiesel engine, and suddenly the Ramblin' Wreck runs cleaner and doesn't promote domestic dependence on foreign oil. That's a significant improvement, I think, and the kind that would get people's attention pretty easily.

This, of course, makes the Wreck something other than an authentic classic Ford Model A vehicle, but as an Institute whose stated goal is to use advanced science and technology to improve the human condition, isn't that the kind of sacrifice we can make?

Actually, given the short time frame they have to work with and extremely scarce funds, maybe that's no more feasible than a pair of wings.

I hope that in putting the Wreck back together, the Ramblin' Reck Club can figure out some small ways to make it extra special and even more of a symbol of Tech pride, though just to be able to get it back up and running, given the uphill battle ahead with donations still needed and the repairs just starting, will be a wonderful demonstration itself of what the Tech community is able to accomplish.