Imagine getting behind the wheel of your favorite car. One that begs for attention. It features a giant Bird screaming across the hood – an instant conversation starter at frequent gas fill-ups. You grab the steering wheel and hold on until you pull into an historic small town in Ohio.
What is this place?
Your favorite car, the Trans Am, lines the streets in every direction. Do time machines exist?
Can't hide the excitement of landing in Tipp City, Ohio during the Trans Am Nationals.
Largest Trans Am gathering in the world!
Tipp City, Ohio shuts down the roads each August allowing only Pontiac Trans Ams, Formulas, and Firebirds access to park during the Trans Am Nationals Saturday afternoon cruise-in on Main Street.
Crowds gather to Bird watch in the quaint town. Bustling with independently-owned shops, eateries, and art, Tipp City offers so much to explore, making it a one-of-a-kind destination for the ultimate Trans Am show.
Watch, drop a comment. We enjoy feedback!
Thanks for watching!
Jody Potter
— Junkyard Life: The Story Beneath the Rust
Hood scoops on a second generation Pontiac Formula abound along with hundreds of Firebirds and Trans Ams at the Trans Am Nationals.
Do you have a great story, a junkyard or a junky yard? Send us details and we’re on the way! Send emails to Jody Potter at junkyardbull@gmail.com
Buy it? 10 Reasons Why You’re not gonna buy my 1978 Pontiac Trans Am. We rescued a W-72 Trans Am out of a field in north Alabama, where it had been parked for over 25 years. It sat under a tree with some other beloved Pontiacs.
1978 Pontiac Trans Am parked in field around 1996. Numbers matching W72 400 engine, 3.23 posi, auto.
Background The previous owner collected several Firebirds and Trans Ams when they were dirt cheap. Age and the elements have tried their dang best to pull them down to the dirt. Flat tires and rotting metal are no match against Mother Nature. Give this one a look. Lots of good parts. But I know, you're not gonna buy it!
Load it Up! This 1978 Trans Am field find followed me home. I call him “Rusty” even though he was born in Platinum Silver paint. This era of "muscle cars” became a staple of teenagers, midlife adults, and those just wanting to have a kick in the pants on a Saturday night. As the years wore on, the abuse a “Bandit”-era Pontiac Trans Am received is unmatched in my opinion. Either mechanical issue, wreck or the idea of becoming a spectacle at the grocery store parking, these Big Bird emblazoned V-8 monsters faded from the roadways. Many T/As received refuge in mobile home communities-as best I can remember that is the final location of the last found-in-the-wild Trans Am used as a daily driver in unrestored and running condition.
Why the love?
I love Pontiac Trans Ams especially the 1970 thru 1981 body style known as the Second Generation of the F-body. The Trans Am lineage reached the summit when Burt Reynolds slid behind the wheel of a black 1977 Pontiac Trans Am in “The Smokey and the Bandit” feature film. Anyone who loves to put the pedal to the metal feels the urge to set down a spell and watch old Burt, Sally, Jerry Reed and Jackie Gleason should they walk passed a television set when that classic is in view.
Talk is cheap If you buy one of Burt’s black Trans Ams nowadays, they cost a pretty penny! Mine is cheap, $1500. I know, I know. You're not gonna do it. But you’d be a lot cooler if you did.
Crash, Fire!We had a parking lot collision, Speedycop's Glitchy VW bus suffered a wreck and massive damage and a 1923 Model T caught fire on the engine dyno! Leaving Louisville, Kentucky was harder than we thought on Day 4 of the Hot Rod Power Tour.
Waffle House seemed like a great place to get a late start leaving Louisville, Kentucky on the way to Hebron, Ohio but we were wrong. A collision backing up simultaneously cost us a dent in the quarter panel of our 1985 Chevy Monte Carlo SS. We decided it was a no fault accident after swapping info. But before we could get down the road, we heard that Speedycop's custom slammed and chopped in half orange Glitchy VW bus was rear ended by a dump truck and pushed into the back of a station wagon. Oh my! We are glad all were reportedly unharmed. Sad to hear about that VW, it was a sight to behold!
Drive on! Onward to HRPT Day 4 stop at National Trail Raceway in Hebron, Ohio. We would be pushed to make it because of our late start. Despite some traffic snarls, we arrived before 4 pm and interviewed several Power Tour participants and learned about their vehicles, including a 1970 Dodge Super Bee, 1923 Ford Model T, 1966 Chrysler LeBaron, and a 1951 Henry J.
That's not fast, but...
We were surprised to spot the 1923 Model T, wheeled by a teenager, on the MuleTown Mobile Dyno and jetted over to watch. What a show it became! The straight 6 Chevy engine churned out 69 horsepower and lit up into a small fireball as oil and gas burned after the vintage hot rod backfired. (Note: never throw water on an oil fire.) All were safe after some cooler heads used a fire extinguisher. The Model T was rolled to a safe spot to cool down.
The Hebron, Ohio stop seemed to end too soon. We were hot and ready for some Taco Bell and a Mtn Dew Baja Blast Zero to end the day and laugh about the Waffle House dent in the Monte Carlo.
Drop a comment if you see something interesting or have a fact about what you on our Power Tour journey.
Late for Work!Steve, an Indiana native, sat in the back of the 1966 Chrysler Imperial LeBaron at the Day 4 Hebron, Ohio stop of the 2024 Hot Rod Power Tour. Steve shared his memorable Late for Work story in the back of the long, black, beauty while seeking refuge from the heat. Outside the car stood his grandson and son, Terry, who now owns the car that his dad purchased in 1985. Someday Steve's grandson will become the third-generation owner of the 1966 Chrysler Imperial in their family.
Steve shared the history of the car dating back to its original Amish owner, who purchased two 1966 Imperials equipped exactly the same brand new. Steve thinks the thirsty 440-cubic inch engine may have been the reason the car was eventually sold. In 1985, when Steve bought the car, the Imperial became his daily driver until he retired in 1995.
This family, three generations strong, was enjoying their automotive bond with thousands of others at this year's Hot Rod Power Tour. They were a great example of family that can be shared and strengthened by spending time together enjoying classic cars and hot rods.
Million Dollar Junkyard full of classic cars for sale in Alabama! This small town family junkyard closed in 1979 in north Alabama. Hundreds of classic cars from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s were collected by the Brooks family as a hobby/family junkyard. Initially, the junkyard was a joint venture by two brothers. The family has decided to sell off the cars. It was not an easy decision. For years they were unable to call the recycler to scrap out the place because the cars have too many memories. The day they never thought would come is here. All the cars and trucks, muscle cars, rare wagons, and convertibles must go!
Frank Brooks is selling the hundreds of classic cars in the family junkyard.
DETAILS: CARS ONLY, NOT LAND
If you decide to buy or make an offer, there is one catch. The $1M buys just the cars. You will have six months to move them out. After six months a rental fee will be charged to the buyer if all cars not removed. Also, seller says that you may not run a business out of the property. Using the property as a car lot to sell off the vintage vehicles is not an option.
Buy them all, move them and do what you want. The seller knows it will be an involved process. Trees will have to be cut down to avoid damaging the cars during removal. Final negotiations will be worked out with Frank who is featured in the video. Send me an email with your contact info.
Show time!Andy Vann and his wife Mary Ann arrived at the 60th Anniversary Mustang show in their still unwashed 1966 Shelby GT350-H. Their car was washed in 1980 and hasn't seen a raindrop or a wash bucket since. The last time the Vann's of Trussville, Alabama showed their car was 15 years ago at the Mustang Club of America's 45th Anniversary show. Their Hertz Rent-A-Racer, original down to the dirt from 1980, built by Shelby American was a hit with Mustang fans at the 45th Anniversary at Barber Motorsports Park. Would the Raven Black Shelby attract crowds at the 60th Mustang show?
We think we’ve found the best one but please drop a comment if you've seen a better running and driving survivor.
Time flies! This dirty 1966 Ford Shelby Mustang GT350H was a hit the last time the Mustang Club of America celebrated at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama. Now, 15 years later, Andy Vann and his wife Mary Ann load their still unwashed GT350-H into a trailer for the 60th Anniversary Mustang show.
Mary Vann helps load the 1966 Shelby Mustang into the trailer before heading to 60th Mustang Anniversary show at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds, Alabama.
Bought not rented
Andy Vann bought the used Hertz Rent-A-Racer in 1967 from Jim Skinner Ford in Birmingham, Alabama for $2500. He and his future wife Mary Ann dated in the sporty black coupe. After they were married in 1969, Mary Ann took the keys and used the Shelby as her daily driver. Each year her Mustang got more and more attention everywhere she went. So many people tried to buy it, that it made her uncomfortable. Mary Ann parked it for good after a man followed her home demanding she sell the car to him. Andy drove it a few more years but locked it away in 1980.
The 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350H has lived in this one-car garage since 1969, the year Andy and Mary Ann got married.
Show time!
In 2009 a friend from the Barber Motorsports Museum suggested Andy drive the car to the 45th Anniversary Mustang show. Andy tuned up the long-dormant Mustang V8 and made his way to Leeds using the handbrake to stop the car. Crowds gathered and tens of thousands saw the original-owner holding court answering questions for three days.
“I never talked so much in my life,” said Vann.
Scene from 2009 MCA show at Barber where Andy Vann first showed off his barn-fresh GT350-H aka Hertz Rent-A-Racer.
Stole the show
The dirty black and gold Hertz car rental legend was solidified when people looked inside the GT350H. It was a time capsule. An ancient pouch of chewing tobacco topped the dash, S&H Greenstamps, and a vintage Pepsi can littered the cabin. The Shelby Mustang looked like someone had locked it away in 1980 and forgot about it. Judging by the crowds surrounding Andy and the car, they loved it.
Andy and Mary Ann Vann loaded up and ready to show their Mustang again.
Original-owner since 1967
It's 2024 and the 60th Anniversary Mustang show is happening at Barber Motorsports Park. Vann and his wife load up the old car that has lived in their garage for more than 57 years. Will the crowd love it? Will they want to hear the stories?
The smiles on Andy and Mary Ann are all you need to see. This is one car they are glad they have kept in original, survivor condition. All the memories and mishaps for the world to see.
Drop a comment if you've got a family treasure that you'll never sell.
Thanks for watching!
Jody Potter — Junkyard Life: The Story Beneath the Rust
A 289-cubic inch V8 powers the Shelby Mustang.
Original Cobra badging can be found inside and out on the 1966 Shelby.
A tri-spoke steering wheel and gauges aplenty meet the eyes of the driver.
A G.T. 350 badge on the rear of the Shelby Mustang.
The big steering wheel helps turn the race-ready beast.
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Do you have a great story, a junkyard or a junky yard? Send us details and we’re on the way! Send emails to Jody Potter at junkyardbull@gmail.com
