Tailgating with the Eye of the TIGER

There is something about SEC Football and tailgating that just go so well together. And there is something about ex-Swat vans and tailgating that just seem to go hand-in-hand. Well, at least to the Beyl’s and their “ELLESYOU” tailgating crew. They took a 1977 Chevrolet P20 step van, which isn’t winning any LEED contests at 14 MPG and a top speed of 65 MPH, and turned it into a heckuva conversion project.

The first step in the conversion, as in most cases, was the strip-down. The entire police command center equipment, including desks and a gun cabinet had to be gutted before any other work could begin. Of course, they decided to keep the lights and siren, even though, the lights were painted over in their very distinguishable purple and gold. The siren now plays a slew of tiger-related sounds, which include the Tiger Rag, an LSU fight song.

Inside, the van is well equipped with TV, microwave, refrigerator, storage centers, and much more. Some of the nice finishing touches include a shelf plastered with ticket stubs from past LSU games, which is simply known as the “Ticket Counter.”

The Beyl’s, who compete all over the country in Kansas City BBQ Society Competitions, also pull a giant BBQ pit to all football and baseball games. On many occasions, they will cook hundreds of hot dogs and hamburgers, even attracting the attention of CBS Sports pre-game show.

Even though the LSU Tailgate Van attends football games, the “ELLESYOU” tailgating crew prefers weekends out at Alex Box Stadium in the spring.

Check out some of the pictures below of the “ELLESYOU” tailgating crew and their Tiger Tailgate Van.