From Army Daily Driver to Vintage Survivor: The 40-Year Journey of a 1966 Ford Galaxie

I met my best friend Manny thirty years ago while we were both still in the Army. We first connected at the Auto Hobby Shop on Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Manny was rebuilding a 289ci small block to replace his worn-out 352ci Ford FE engine, while I was tuning up the 390ci FE in my 1965 Ford Galaxie XL.

Having such similar classic Fords, we immediately struck up a conversation. It wasn’t long before we were hitting junkyards and swap meets together. You have to remember, this was a few years before the internet made hunting parts a piece of cake like it is now. And also these road trips searching for parts were fun. Some people hunt deer, Manny and I hunt for classic car parts.

Dealership cream puff
Manny purchased his 1966 Ford Galaxie from Patrick Ford in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in the fall of 1985. This was the same Patrick Ford that had raced full-size Fords in NASCAR during the 1960s and early 1970s. The car was in remarkable condition with fewer than 60,000 miles on the odometer. It was a true cream puff — rare for a 20-year-old used car to be sitting on a dealership lot in those days. Manny still remembers the salesman’s name, which is amazing. (I can barely remember what I had for breakfast this morning.) Twelve years later, the same salesman at the same dealership sold Manny his 1990 Mustang GT, which he still owns today.

Manny bought the red 1966 Ford Galaxie at Patrick Ford in 1985.

Road miles
From the beginning, Manny used the Galaxie as a daily driver. It wasn’t long before he took it on its first cross-country road trip — 823 miles from Fort Bragg to Chicago to visit his mother. Traveling to and from the Windy City would become routine. That’s impressive considering it was a 1,650-mile round trip in a 20-year-old car equipped with points and a carburetor. In the mid-1960s, American cars were expected to last only about five years or 100,000 miles. Not quite as dependable as our modern day electronic ignition and fuel injection. Anything over seven years old was often considered junk.

Uh oh!
In 1988, Manny took the much longer and more arduous trip to El Paso, Texas, to visit extended family. He first drove to Chicago, then continued to El Paso, adding another 4,500 miles to the odometer. The trip to El Paso was uneventful, as usual. The Galaxie always did well on these road trips. However, this journey carried extra pressure — Manny was getting married before heading to Korea. The plan was to get married in El Paso, then drive back alone to Fort Bragg in time for his flight. The timeline was tight, but doable… until disaster struck on the way home.

Did Manny know he would own the Galaxie for forty years? 

Problem!
While driving down I-55 at 65 mph just outside Litchfield, Illinois, the rear differential ran critically low on gear oil due to a slow leak. Everything heated up and the axle broke as a result. After guiding the car safely to the side of the road, Manny started out on foot to the next exit. Luckily a Highway Patrol officer passed by fairly soon after the incident and gave Manny a ride to a local repair shop. Not having enough the time to get the car repaired and knowing better than to leave it at a shop, Manny made arrangements for the long term storage of his beloved car. Then he contacted the repair shop owner and had the car towed to the storage lot where Manny settled up by paying the towing bill and the first three months of storage. Litchfield was small back then and locating the bus stop was fairly easy. Three days later, Manny was on a plane to Korea. It would be six months before Manny could get back to Litchfield to retrieve his car.

Interior is still in amazing shape and includes an 8-track player.

First recovery
In May of 1989, Manny returned to Chicago and with the help of his brother, he developed a plan to recover the old Ford. The Galaxie was still sitting in a storage lot 245 miles south and was in dire need of a rear differential. A local Chicago area salvage yard had a couple of Fords and after two hours under one of those cars, Manny now had his replacement rear diff. Arrangements were made over the phone to have the car moved to the shop where the repairs would be made, and the two made the four hour trip to Litchfield the following morning. It wasn't long after the car was back on the road again.

Worn engine
As time progressed the car started to show signs of aging. The smoke was minimal at first, a little dark smoke during acceleration. But that was to be expected. Later, it would be more consistent and as time passed by it became more and more apparent that motor had reached the end of its life. A fellow soldier had a 289ci small block that he had no use for and it was donated to the project. And as luck would have it, it came with a bell house that would allow Manny to use the car's original FMX transmission. A weekend at the Auto Hobby Shop and the Galaxie was again back on the road. 

Banged up
By 1995, the 1966 Ford Galaxie was no longer a classic, it was now becoming vintage. It was still being used to get Manny to and from work on daily basis but it was no longer used for the long haul trips. Manny had a new Mustang that he used for that. But the old Galaxie wasn't being ignored either. Manny was collecting parts and slowly restoring his vintage steel back to its former glory. He had just ordered new vinyl seat covers when tragedy struck again. This time a pickup truck pulled out in front of Manny as he made his way home. The damage was minimal. The front clip was banged up, but no structural damage. The frame was intact and straight. Nevertheless, the insurance company totaled the car out. Undeterred, Manny kept the wreck and with the insurance money he bought a donor car.  Again, it wouldn't be long before the Galaxie was back on the road. This time with a new front clip. And the restoration continued. 

To the back burner
As with so many things in life, the passage of time and circumstance take their toll. The plans we made sometimes fail to come to fruition. After Manny retired from the Army, he signed on with the local Sheriff's department where he was allowed to take his patrol car home. As a result, the old Ford was, for the first time since its purchase in 1985, suffered from neglect. The car now rested under the carport of his 1930's bungalow-style home. Work and a divorce turned the once-devoted owner's attention away from the car he so cherished just a few years earlier. It wasn't long before we moved it into my garage in an attempt to at least protect the car from the elements. It would be over a decade before it would see the light of day again. And even longer before it would be back on the road. 

Manny loads up his 1966 Galaxie after the decade-plus storage hiatus.

What happens is...
Have you ever seen a derelict old car sitting in a yard and wondered why? Why is it sitting there? Why would someone ignore something with so much potential? Now, you have the answer. Life just gets in the way. Manny still loved his car. He still collected the parts he would need to eventually restore it. However, the car never moved. No parts were ever bolted on. No progress was made. The car sat there in my garage for fifteen years or so, until recently. Manny has recently retired from a federal law enforcement job he has had for the last ten years and he now has time for his beloved 1966 Galaxie. He has also recently completed a full on restoration of his 1990 Mustang GT. With the completion of the Mustang along with all of his new found free time, Manny is now focusing all of his effort on the Galaxie. Last month, we made the trip to North Carolina to pick up the car and move it to Manny's new home in Texas. 

I can’t wait to see this legendary 1966 Ford Galaxie back on the road where it belongs.

Scott Johnson
– Junkyard Life contributor

There is another 1966 Galaxie hiding under that mess at the storage building. This one is an XL 500 with bucket seats and a center console. We will be returning for it in this summer. 

Manny stands beside his red 1966 Ford Galaxie after pulling it from storage in 2026.

Patch panels visible on quarter panels show years of use and rehabilitation.

Gas station lights highlight the unmistakable 1960s style of American muscle on Manny’s 1966 Ford Galaxie at South Carolina fuel stop.

View of 1966 Galaxie from inside Kabob House in North Carolina on the way to Texas.

Thousands of our military have enjoyed Afghan cuisine while serving our country. Fort Bragg soldiers can still experience the flavors of Kandahar at Kabob House in Fayetteville, N.C.

Dishes from Kabob House in Fayetteville, N.C.

A few other details 

Along with Galaxie rest a few more treasures in the storage location. Three old Coke machines and a couple of large gas signs are just waiting to be rescued. 

I actually forgot I left these two old 1950’s Soda machines here. I’ll be coming back for them real soon. 

Manny’s Mustang GT

After three years the restoration of Manny’s 1990 Mustang is nearing the end. 

Once this car is finished the Galaxie will be rolled into the garage and torn down, painted and reassembled. All this work will happen here.

The attention to detail throughout this build leaves me with no doubt that the Galaxie will be just as nice when it id done. Which I estimate will be three years from now.

Do you have a car story? Junkyard driveway?

Send us details and we’re on the way!  

Send emails to Jody Potter at junkyardbull@gmail.com 

Hail to the Kingswood!

 

1971 Chevrolet Kingswood Estate

Then: So what’s the big deal? It’s just a station wagon.

Now: Holy cow! Stop the car—is that a Kingswood Wagon? It is!

Tis true. There was a time when this 1971 Chevrolet Kingswood Estate wagon was merely a mode of transportation. Nothing exciting. Just a vehicle owned more out of necessity than enthusiasm. It blended into a sea of mundane cars in the background of the soccer practice parking lot or rolled through the elementary school pickup line with a number on the windshield, probably drawn by a child on a decorated paper plate.

Indeed, the time came when driving the family wagon ranked barely a step above riding a bicycle in the eyes of teenagers dreaming of cooler rides.

I guess we’re weird. We love wagons.

Nothing says full-size better than this face.

Now, as we wagon fans celebrate virtually anything with station wagon DNA, this car is awesome! A double win for us Junkyard Life nerds who love and adore junkyards. Even in its current condition, we can’t help but stop, stare, and utter, “How cool.”

How cool indeed. This model featured the first of the magical “Clamshell” tailgates. Some divisions called it the “Glideaway.” Very aptly named. Even non-car people had to admit it was pretty impressive when they saw it in action. This option, available on most full-size GM wagons, amazed buyers back then and still feels like voodoo magic today. The tailgate and rear window disappear in different directions! Yeah. Poof. The tailgate slides under the car while the glass retracts upward into the roof, leaving you with a wide-open, tailgate-party-friendly cargo area big enough to haul home a big red velour sofa (not included).

Try that with your Tahoe or Expedition.

To perform the trick, you simply insert the key into the rear quarter panel (yes, the rear-facing side), twist it one way and the glass disappears, then the other way and the tailgate vanishes.

We only spotted a few options on this example. It appears to be Placer Gold (code 53), but we’re not certain. That color sold very well in the era. If you recognize the paint code, please let us know.

Hear ye! Hear ye! No underpowered motors.

Other options seemed sparse, including a third-row seat that didn’t appear to have been used much. The Kingswood package guaranteed at least a V8—the king decrees, “No six-cylinders!” From clues like the lack of emblems and the air cleaner sitting in the front seat, this one looks like a 350. It didn’t get the optional 400 small-block, 402 big-block, or 454 big-block. It has the expected automatic transmission and what appear to be standard hubcaps (though some literature calls them “deluxe”). All four were still present, though a few were inside the car. It also had an AM radio, a roof rack, and air conditioning. No tilt wheel or power options beyond steering.

We’re pretty sure the 350 V8 got the job done. Inside, we also noticed something special: old road maps, including one of Florida. If this car could talk, it would have quite a story. It apparently began its journey at Wood Chevrolet in Birmingham, Alabama. Somewhere along the way, the famous woodgrain siding was either removed or painted over. Why? Research shows woodgrain was part of the Kingswood package, yet the rest of the car doesn’t suggest it was heavily optioned. The irony—a woodless Kingswood.

We love wagons.

So at one time, it was no big deal. Now it’s a classic with a following no one expected. Let’s hope this one gets saved and isn’t turned into Pepsi cans. It’s a huge deal to us now. Hot Rod’s Power Tour would adore this car.

Hail to the Kingswood!

Ron Kidd

– Junkyard Life: The Story Beneath the Rust

Do you have a car story? Junkyard driveway?
Send us details and we’re on the way!  
Send emails to Jody Potter at junkyardbull@gmail.com and Ron Kidd at
kidd403rk@gmail.com

Vintage Coke Coolers & Classic Car Show Props: The Coolest Automobilia at Cruise-Ins

Cool details! As much as I enjoy looking at all the beautiful classic cars I encounter at the many car shows and cruise-ins I attend throughout the year, I really love seeing the vintage automobilia that so many of the owners bring with them. We've all seen it: the Sonic tray perched on the door of a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, old luggage strapped to the roof rack of a vintage 1966 Volkswagen Beetle, and my all-time favorite — the classic Coca-Cola ice chest sitting in the back of an old weathered farm truck.

There is nothing like seeing a rare 1950's era Pepsi cooler sitting in the trunk of a nicely restored 1956 Ford Crown Victoria.

I am particularly drawn to antique ice chests, or as some refer to them, coolers. I guess this dates back to the early 1980s, when my mother gave me an embossed 1950s Coca-Cola cooler for my birthday. It went perfectly with the large round porcelain Coca-Cola sign that hung in my bedroom. The sign was something I found in the barn after we moved to our West Texas farm. Worthless to most, but I thought it was the coolest thing since sliced bread. My parents never really understood my fascination with old advertising. Nevertheless, they supported my hobby of collecting signs and other classic Americana. Now, forty-plus years later, I have amassed quite a collection of signs, soda machines, and, of course, coolers.

Seeing the large variety of items on display at an antique car show adds to the ambiance in much the same way that the decor at your favorite restaurant enhances your dining experience. There is one restaurant in particular that comes to mind. Every Saturday, I load up my wife and kids and we head to this family favorite. I go there more for the decor than the food, while my wife’s favorite part is not having to do the dishes afterward. Out front stands an old soda machine and a couple of rocking chairs. Inside, the walls are covered in vintage advertising of all types, and antiques hang from the ceiling. As I look around, I take it all in. Sometimes I find myself drawn to something in particular — something oddly familiar that reminds me of my grandmother. It could be something as simple as a cooking utensil, but it transports me back in time to my summers on Hastings Hill in southern Ohio. I enjoy looking at all the old artifacts from America’s past — classic Americana, as it is called these days. Cool old stuff, not quite ready for the museum yet, but still cool just the same. And this is exactly what we encounter today as we walk the rows of old vintage hot rods and beautifully restored antiques.

Occasionally, you'll find an ice chest being used as intended. In this case I was honored to share an ice-cold Coca-Cola with a fellow car enthusiast as we talk about his old Ford F100 pick-up truck.

Heavy lift
Asking about the memorabilia we encounter can lead to a whole conversation in and of itself. Talking with an older gentleman about his 1950s Cavalier ice chest leads to learning how heavy the darn thing is when empty (25 lbs) and how heavy it can get when filled with 12-oz glass-bottled Cokes and some ice (over 50 lbs). Many might not realize that this little bugger required two grown men to carry it from the car to the beach. I learned that from my mother on the day she gave me that first Coca-Cola cooler — a story I always feel compelled to tell when talking to people about their neat old ice chests.

A lot of folks take real good care of their vintage coolers, so it is rare to see one being used for its original purpose — to keep drinks cold. Most are just for looking at these days. But there are a few enthusiasts who have no problem filling up their old relics from the past with sodas and ice. Some even go as far as to bring drinks in 1950s-style glass bottles. Boy, does that add to the nostalgia! Now the old cooler in the trunk of my 1969 Oldsmobile is mostly for looks; however, I do store some tools and a pair of jumper cables in it. So, in a way, I guess it is now my toolbox.

Pop of color
The sheer number of soda brands makes for some interesting color combinations: blue Pepsi coolers, mint green Dr Pepper ice chests, yellow for Royal Crown, white for 7UP and a couple of others, and orange for none other than Orange Crush. And let’s not forget the iconic Coca-Cola red coolers with that embossed logo seen everywhere at car shows these days. Coke is definitely the predominant brand, resulting in more examples of Coca-Cola coolers being present at any single event than all the other brands combined. Along with the original color combinations, you are bound to encounter other colors as well, since some owners have chosen to paint their ice chests to match their cars. Others simply change the color scheme of their coolers to a complementary one — for example, a white Coca-Cola cooler with red lettering as opposed to the prevalent red with white lettering. Some are even pinstriped to give them that extra pop. So at any major show, you will likely encounter some really unique examples.

There are things to see other than ice chests. Who hasn’t encountered a stuffed Wile E. Coyote sitting in the passenger seat of a late-sixties Mopar? Or how about a Barney Fife cutout next to a Mayberry RFD police car? Encountering either of these requires us older folks to explain to the youth in our company who these characters were and what television shows they appeared in. But this, too, is a positive. My children now watch some of these old shows as a result of seeing these characters at the car shows I “force” them to attend with me. In my case, it was the General Lee. My kids saw the General Lee at a World of Wheels event, and afterward they found the old reruns online. As a result, I am now watching the same shows with my kids that I watched with my father when I was their age.

The owner of this really cool 1959 El Camino named his custom-built scooter "Evil Twin". "Double Take" would be more appropriate. People do a double take when they first encounter this unique twin engine minibike. It takes a moment to realize you are not experiencing double vision.

Evil Twin
Sometimes the props overshadow the car. One gentleman recently arrived at a local cruise-in with an old scooter sitting in the back of his awesome 1959 El Camino. I don’t remember much being said about his beautiful car, but I sure heard a book’s worth of information about that old bike in the back. And let me tell you, I enjoyed every minute.

Recently I have begun noticing old tow trucks. I see them mostly at the major car shows, and they are actually really neat to look at, whether restored or not. I find them so cool and fairly reasonably priced that I am thinking about buying one for myself. Old police cars are another example of the car itself becoming the prop. Most are replicas; however, there are a huge number of retired highway patrol cars out there, and many have been fully restored. Some of the owners search long and hard for the original lights, sirens, and radios. In some cases, they even source mock shotguns or rifles. You have to give these guys credit. Finding all of the original police-issued accessories is no easy task. How many blue lights are still available for the restoration of a 1972 Alabama Highway Patrol-issued AMC Javelin?

Vintage coolers are awesome but so are the other forms of automotive archeology one can encounter. Here is a late 1960's Shell gas station tire in near perfect condition. It even has the iconic Shell clam shell logo.

I am also a fanatic for detail — even obsessive! I am always searching for automotive memorabilia. I love finding old original jacks, tools, and unique license plates. I once found a spare tire inside a junkyard derelict. It was in the trunk of a 1968 Cutlass and in perfect condition. The find itself was awesome, but add in the fact that the old bias-ply tire was an off-brand with the Shell Service Station clamshell logo on it — I had found myself a gem. I dragged that old spare home with me, and after a little elbow grease, I got it all cleaned up. It is now on display in the trunk of my 1969 Cutlass along with the original jack and lug wrench that came with my car from the factory. There is absolutely no way I would ever use that old tire. Even though it holds air, it is definitely not safe for use. But it sure does look neat sitting in the trunk of my Oldsmobile. When anyone takes notice of the trunk, I always point out that Shell logo. Everyone always asks, “What are you going to do if you get a flat?” That’s what auto clubs are for.

The owner of this vintage 1979 Mercedes 300D went to extreme lengths to source all of the accessories in the trunk of his car. Even going as far as to order an original Mercedes gas can from Germany.

Carry-on battery!
Vintage luggage is a common prop at car shows and has been for years. Once only common with the guys who owned Volkswagen Beetles, I am now seeing the emergence of this fad in other genres as well. One of the more interesting uses of a suitcase that I’ve encountered involved a trunk-mounted battery concealed in a vanity case, which itself was less conspicuous because three other larger suitcases were placed in the trunk as well. At first glance, it looked like someone was on a road trip. Brilliant idea! Now, of course, one can easily conceal a battery in a vintage ice chest. Just FYI.

You have to love ingenuity when you see it. Located in the trunk of this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air a small vanity case which conceals rear mounted battery.

The owner of this 1946 Ford Deluxe Business Coupe has the Varsity sweater he got in high school way back in 1961. It complements the interior nicely and it acts as a conversation piece.

Letterman sweater from 1961
Every now and then I come across something really unique. In one such case, I found an early 1960s letterman’s sweater sitting on the front seat of a nicely restored 1947 Ford Business Coupe. Looking at that sweater lying on the passenger side of the front seat left me thinking — albeit only for a brief second — that I had been transported back in time. The owner informed me that this was his very own high school letterman’s sweater, dating back to 1961 when he received his first letter. I could easily envision being in the parking lot of his high school in 1961. And for those in attendance who grew up in the ’50s or ’60s, I am sure they experienced a brief moment of nostalgia too.

So, when you are at your next car show or cruise-in, please take some time to notice these little things.

Scott Johnson
– Junkyard Life contributor



Bonus Toolbox Hidden Surprise
We were surprised to find this hidden gem in the bed of a weathered Chevy C10 pickup truck. A Craftsman open end wrench mounted as a handle on top of a red toolbox that hides the fuel filler. A cool way to disguise the relocated fuel filler access.

Do you have an innovative or nostalgic addition to your classic car. Share them with us in a comment or drop us a message on any of our social channels and we'll compile a list of our favorites.

Red toolbox for vintage handyman vibe.

Inside the toolbox a surprise! Fuel filler!

Adding a padlock to the toolbox - instant locking gas cap!

More stories by Scott Johnson:

• Craigslist 4-4-2 Project Car
• Barn Finds, Olds and Buick
• Chasing a 1956 Ford Victoria

WATCH: 1934 Ford, Bonnie and Clyde keep town alive

Bonnie and Clyde keep this town alive. A couple killed in an ambush? Call it saving grace for the small town of Gibsland, Louisiana. Road trips across this great country, the United States of America, can be full of adventure and history. Perry Carver, owner of the Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Museum, discusses his life as the caretaker of macabre American history. Bonnie and Clyde, lovers forever linked to a criminal life on the run and a 1934 Ford that encapsulated their brutal end.

Where?

This tucked away gem is just off Interstate 20 for those travelers zooming across northern Louisiana. Hop off at Exit 61 for a pit stop that delivers a one-of-a-kind experience. Witness the history of Bonnie and Clyde along the same road where they met their ultimate demise. You can’t get closer to the infamous outlaw’s story than walking up to the address of their last meal in Gibsland, Louisiana. Legend has it that Clyde bought two sandwiches — a BLT for Bonnie and a fried bologna sandwich for himself at Rosa Canfield’s Cafe on May 23, 1934. Seven and a half miles later, or about 15 minutes of driving in the Ford, a nationwide manhunt ended in a gun battle. An ambush by the Texas Rangers silenced the couple that blazed a murderous trail for two years. The couple’s exploits captured the imagination of a nation hard-pressed by the lingering effect of The Great Depression. Many suspect that Bonnie and Clyde received help eluding the police because of a Robin-hood persona. We do know they had a hand in the death of at least 12 people, most of them police officers. The result of the ambush show the level of outrage by law enforcement. I’m sure it was a deterrent to any other would-be Bonnie & Clyde couples.

See history before it disappears

That Cafe’s original building was destroyed by fire in 1946. The Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Museum now sits on the old Cafe property. My kids remember stopping in Gibsland almost 10 years ago. The place was smaller back then. The experience was worth stopping for then and now. Slow down, gawk at the bloody Death Car, grab a souvenir, see the autopsy room, then maybe hit the toilet. Don’t forget to pet Mr. Kitty. He’s 15 years old!

Thanks for watching!

Jody Potter

– Junkyard Life: The Story Beneath the Rust

Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum in Gibsland, Louisiana is the main attraction in town.

Hundreds of photographs of Bonnie and Clyde cover the walls of the museum.

Bullet-riddled clone of the 1934 Ford that Bonnie and Clyde were in during ambush.

The Texas Rangers ambushed Bonnie and Clyde 15-minutes after they left Gibsland, Louisiana with a sackful of food.

Mr. Kitty is Perry Carver's cat. He likes to sit on the counter beside the cash register.

1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V For Sale

This one is for sale! Opelika, Alabama owner, Gage Woodall, shows off his 1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V with his son, Jameson, by his side. The long, blue beauty is a three owner. The original owner kept it parked beside her house for decades. Gage drove it to Lineville, Alabama recently for the annual Clay County Car Show on November 2, 2025. A “FOR SALE” sign was propped up on the Lincoln’s dash! This reminded us of the recent Mark V that we found at a pull-your-own-parts junkyard. (See that here)

Sale Details/Contact:1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V

460-V8 engine, automatic

Gage Woodall

706-573-2699

Thanks for watching!

Jody Potter

– Junkyard Life: The Story Beneath the Rust

Rich Man's Ride: 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark V in Junkyard

Rocco & Cheater’s Speed Shop Closing, brings Rotsun, large crowd

Rocco & Cheater’s Speed Shop is closing forever! Watch Junkyard Life walk thru Rocco & Cheater’s stash of vintage parts in Birmingham, Alabama. After almost 80 years strong, the Sanfilippo family is selling the building and liquidating the vintage speed parts inventory. We spoke to Jean Sanfilippo, widow of Mimi Sanfilippo, about the end of an era. Her husband, Mimi, was one of the brothers who founded the legendary Speed Shop in Birmingham, Alabama. Mimi passed away in 2018 and the remaining inventory has been sitting for almost 20 years. The business started as a Rocco & Cheater’s garage in 1946 and grew into the current location and larger shop in 1962. Whether it was round tracks or drag racing — gear heads knew this building had the parts to go fast.

Why did they close?

Eventually, the internet and cheap foreign parts took precedent over know how and local family loyalty. Around 2007, the Speed Shop closed daily operations. For many years the parts gathered dust. When old gear heads would inquire about the locked building full of parts, the Sanfilippo’s would open up the doors and sell a few parts. David Newbern, of MotorTrend/YouTube fame, heard the recent news that the family was selling everything and showed up for a tour and a video. Newbern spread the word to Mike Finnegan and David Freiburger formerly of Hot Rod Magazine, MotorTrend TV, and now YouTube celebrity. They decided to drive the 1971 Datsun 240Z, aka the Rotsun, to Alabama from California to tour the shop, meet fans and sign autographs. A camera crew filmed their exploits and posted a video to each of their channels.  

Mike Finnegan drove the Rotsun up to the front door of Rocco & Cheater’s Speed Shop with David Freiburger riding shotgun. A large crowd awaited the duo’s arrival in Birmingham, Alabama

Fans and Customers everywhere

We showed up at Rocco & Cheater's to look inside the historic speed shop on Sunday, April 27, 2025.  We were blown away at how much was left to buy. Tons of wheels, carbs, pistons, filters, distributors, tachometers, and aftermarket do-dads. David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan arrived about an hour-and-a-half later than expected but the crowd continued to grow in expectation. They roared when the YouTube stars crawled out of the Rotsun.

Many fans drove their old hot rod to get their car’s trunk or dash signed by Freiburger & Finnegan or bought something from Rocco & Cheater’s to commemorate the closing of a part of Birmingham’s automotive history.

Were you there?
What did you think of the video? Were you at Rocco & Cheater’s with the Rotsun or in the glory days? Tell us what you think in a comment!

Jody Potter
– Junkyard Life: The Story Beneath the Rust

Mike Finnegan and  David Freiburger sign autographs for fans at Rocco & Cheater’s Speed Shop in Birmingham, Alabama on April 27, 2025.