MODELS
Degree (AKA Design one) offered: (Click on names for pictures)
- 2 WD Pulling Truck
- 4 WD Pulling Truck (prototype)
- 4 WD Monster Truck (prototype)
- Competition pulling sled
DESIGN
The frames on the pulling trucks were welded rectangle tube with some round tube for the axle supports. The bodies were made of fiberglass and consisted of a 80's style Ford F150 and 90's style Ford F150. No suspenstion was incorporated into the design since there really is no need for any in truck pulling. The front and rear axles were ridged mounted. The rear axle of choice was a SEco Skellenger rear end and they utilized a gear reduction unit between the engine and rear end. A standard 21CC Echo engine was the powerplant of choice but larger engines were used for prototypes and custom trucks. There is not much information on monster truck.
HOP-UPS
- Tuned pipes
- Larger displacement engines
- HD gear reduction units
HISTORY
I do not have much history on this manufacturer at this time. If you do have information, please contact me. I do believe they started out in the late 80's and stopped production in the early 90's. They were based in southern California and attended some major 1/4 scale events to promote their products. I do know they also went to full size monster truck shows and showed off their pulling tuck / sled combo! I do not believe very many of these trucks made it to the market. They are VERY hard to find and I really believe they were produced in small qty's but I do not have any real figures although I did hear from an old associate that only 3 were sold. Degree engineering also went under the name of "Design One".
MY THOUGHTS
The frame design on these trucks really needed some work in my oppinion. The function was there but the scale look when the body was off was lacking and gave the impression that the truck was cheap. The bodies supplied were very nice quality and the detailing on them are very well done. This was certainly one of the high spots of the trucks. The heavy duty pulling sled is really where a lot of time and work was spent. The craftmanship on this piece is quite amazing. They really thought it out well and the outcome was a top notch piece. I would love to learn more about their monster truck or even find it one day. I found a "blurb" about it in a magazine and it stated that it was 100cc and had 4 wheel steering that was done with hydraulics. I now own the 4WD truck and I can honestly say its a tank. A very well built tank!! :)
