Playing Tag With the Neil Young Eagle
Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2022 1:01 pm
First of all, if you are not familiar with the Neil Young Eagle, you need to spend some time looking at some of the details. Here are a couple of websites:
First Neil Young Eagle
Current Neil Young Eagle
When I first saw the second bus on various websites, I kind of thought it was a bastardization of an Eagle (some people still do). However, the more I read about the bus, the more I appreciated the approach. When you read the description in the second link you will see that the bus was modified with several early (40's and 50's) Buick parts. Since one of my projects is a 47 Buick, I really began to relate to the concept.
My research suggests he still own the bus.
Now for my story. In mid-August of 2021 I did my annual journey to Bonneville Speed Week. On my way back, I always stop at the Tooele exit on I80 to fuel up and grab a couple of Tacos at Del Taco. As I was pulling out of the fuel stop I saw the Neil Young Eagle heading out towards east bound I80. I quickly pulled out and began my chase. I caught up with it a few miles down the road and began a game of tag for over 200 miles (until I pulled into Rock Springs for the night).
I really wanted to take a picture of the bus. I would pass it and get a mile or two ahead and pull off on an exit and try to get a picture. That was a challenge since the bus was traveling well over 70 MPH on the flat. I probably exited 5 or more times before I got the picture below.
After each exit, I would have to drive well over the speed limit to catch up with them. I could not find details on the engine in the bus, but the gearing was pretty tall, as they were doing a fair amount over 75 on the flats. It would slow a bit on some of the hills.
Jim
First Neil Young Eagle
Current Neil Young Eagle
When I first saw the second bus on various websites, I kind of thought it was a bastardization of an Eagle (some people still do). However, the more I read about the bus, the more I appreciated the approach. When you read the description in the second link you will see that the bus was modified with several early (40's and 50's) Buick parts. Since one of my projects is a 47 Buick, I really began to relate to the concept.
My research suggests he still own the bus.
Now for my story. In mid-August of 2021 I did my annual journey to Bonneville Speed Week. On my way back, I always stop at the Tooele exit on I80 to fuel up and grab a couple of Tacos at Del Taco. As I was pulling out of the fuel stop I saw the Neil Young Eagle heading out towards east bound I80. I quickly pulled out and began my chase. I caught up with it a few miles down the road and began a game of tag for over 200 miles (until I pulled into Rock Springs for the night).
I really wanted to take a picture of the bus. I would pass it and get a mile or two ahead and pull off on an exit and try to get a picture. That was a challenge since the bus was traveling well over 70 MPH on the flat. I probably exited 5 or more times before I got the picture below.
After each exit, I would have to drive well over the speed limit to catch up with them. I could not find details on the engine in the bus, but the gearing was pretty tall, as they were doing a fair amount over 75 on the flats. It would slow a bit on some of the hills.
Jim