Driving the future:
Help restore the Bucky Wagon and endow the vehicle teams
 he Bucky Wagon is an iconic UW-Madison symbol that carries Badger spirit across campus and throughout Madison on football Saturdays and at each year’s Homecoming festivities and parade.The current Bucky Wagon, which is the third vehicle known by the name, is a restored 1932 La France fire engine donated by alumni to the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) in 1971.
Time has taken its toll on the Bucky Wagon, and it’s nearly impossible to find parts to repair and maintain the vehicle. The WAA has paired with the College of Engineering to help the Bucky Wagon transition to the 21st century as a safe, electric-powered vehicle with power hydraulic brakes and power steering, while preserving the vehicle’s exterior, wheels and hubcaps in order to maintain the iconic appearance of the wagon.
Engineering students, under the guidance of Faculty Associate Glenn Bower, will complete the renovation over the course of the next year.
The Bucky Wagon renovation is happening as the students and Bower work to raise funds for a vehicle-team endowment, which will ensure the teams, both present and future, can continue to work on campus projects and excel in vehicle competitions. In addition to the time and talents of faculty, staff and student team members, maintaining the excellence of the six automotive vehicle programs requires support for competition and travel expenses, as well as support to purchase and maintain equipment, including computers, endmills, lathes, grinders, drill presses and many other tools that allow students to turn their designs into working vehicles.
Vehicle team members raised $10,000 in start-up funds during the summer of 2009, and they now seek support to reach their $10 million endowment goal.
Follow the renovation through the Bucky Wagon blog and learn more about the endowment at www.vehicles.wisc.edu/donate.html.
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