I remember this was big when I was in high school. I remember some of my friends buying $30-$50 running driving cars for this purpose! Then when they looked like that duster you'd keep driving them anyway till they died.
I too ran a pinto wagon for the same purpose. We ran a points system where at the end of the week, whoever had the most "points, or smashes" bought lunch for the fellow participants! Damn, It seemed like I was at the junk yard constantly getting new grilles, fenders, radiators.... Hahahahaha