Hot Rod Blues, Episode 5, Clownstabbers at the Possum Palace

The fellahs take it on the road down to Mississippi this week to visit the Possum Killer Garage. They sit down with owner Ricky Neal in his awesome hangout now nicknamed the Possum Palace. It has some of the coolest memorabilia you’ve ever seen! Ricky is an influence on many in the Memphis/Mid-South hot rod community and has plenty of stories to tell. Talking to Ricky is like talking to hot rodding royalty.
to talk about the projects in his shop. The latest and most exciting project is a 1969 Chevy Nova funny car that he bought with his son, Michael. The two have had the dream since Michael started racing at the age of 14. The two have campaigned a ‘48 Ford Anglia named Dixie Fever for a number of years on the gasser circuit. When the Nova became available, they jumped at the chance to make their dreams come true.
Ricky also talks about Asphalt Cowboy, his front-engine, six-cylinder, Bantam-bodied dragster. It could win any car show with Ricky’s amazing paint job and has some really neat nostalgic touches such as the front-mounted Eelco gas tank.
The conversation again turns to Mike’s unfinished projects before talking about Tommy Boren’s chopped ‘32. Ricky painted the car ten years ago and it is finally ready to hit the road. Then, Ricky talks about his old pinstriping friend and hero, Ron “Bluefoot” Whimbley. Blue was a true character in the hot rod community. He was a big burly guy who once wrestled a bear. You didn’t want to cross him, but if you were a friend, he had a heart of gold. Ricky has many of his personal effects including the top hat that Blue wore whenever he pinstriped cars.
One time, Ricky hosted Gene Winfield to paint a car in his paint booth. He tells the story of Gene wanting to paint the car in the middle of the night. In his late-80’s, Gene was ready to work. Ricky got the opportunity to visit Gene’s shop early this year and got a personal tour of his house.
For more on Ricky, you can see a video that Shawn B did with Ricky called Handmade Craftsmen on Auto Enthusiast Network, where you can see the custom signs he makes and take a tour of the Possum Palace.
The Hot Rod Blue Podcast is co-hosted by Shawn Brereton of Auto Enthusiast Network, Mike Abbott of Steel Rose Metal Co, Javier Augustine of Bomber Steel Customs, and Shawn Young of Kingfish Metal Works. Now recording in video and audio formats, you can find the Hot Rod Blues Podcast on the following platforms:

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