Stovebolt.com Forums The Side Lot The Heartland Found something out

About a question I had for Shakey61 at the KC event. I was asking him about those cool chrome rings in the center of the wheels on Mater. I ran a cross a guy at a local show that had those same rings. He told me Speedway had themhere, in case anybody might be interested.
Happy to be a Heartland Bolter.

Phil,

That is an awesome piece of detective work! "Spider Rings"..now I know what they're called.

-Kevin

It was cool to find out what they were and where they can be had, but they sure don't give them away.

I have them on my '50.

https://media.fotki.com/2v2E11WjSxDubp.jpg

Love the look of that truck.
I like the look of those wheels also.

I agree...just a touch of shine, without over-doing it.

-Kevin

Thank you both very much!

In the interest of "Found Something Out", here's another one:

I've had several old-timers at various shows and events tell me that 'Mater Jr. would have been called a "Repo Special" back in the day. Apparently, they would take a normal pickup and install a drop-in boom/winch with a sling on the back. To repo a car, you'd zip in, sling it up, and be gone. In and out, quick and quiet like a hostage rescue mission!

I've been going for a 'shop truck' vibe, but the Repo Special thing amuses me. Perhaps I need to make some more magnetic signs, touting my non-existent repo services!

-Kevin

I was not aware of the Repo Special...cool story!!
Always wondered how the polished rings worked...never to late to learn something new about the hobby!

Having spent 30+ years in Law Enforcement, I’ve had a lot of experience with Repo Specials. First the owners try to make the truck look as close to yours and mine as possible. Absolutely no markings of any kind unless required by the licensing authority. They like to work under the cover of darkness as much as possible so no shiny stuff for the neighborhood to see. The newer units all work hydraulically/electrically from inside the cab. The driver never gets out until safely away from the pick up site. We would quite often get calls from some night owl neighbor saying their neighbor’s car is being stolen. Always a Repo Special at work. Drag the vehicles down the street with the tires screeching until they could pull over and swap ends. The drivers are supposed to notify Law Enforcement when they are doing a Repo but that is a hit or miss deal. I’ve taken more than 1 Repo Artist out of his truck at gun point and cuffed them up until everything is sorted out. BTW, 90% of the time they are packing heat, I would too if I was in that line of work.
Now you know the rest of the story, whether you wanted to or not.