Local ‘Grease Monkeys’ To Compete In ‘Redneck Rumble’ Challenge

Garage owners Rick Donnell and Mike Shaver of Doniphan might call themselves grease monkeys, but perhaps a better term would be “automotive artists.”

Whatever moniker they may go by, the two long-time friends are about to take on the ultimate upcycle challenge. They are combining salvaged auto parts to create functional “not rods,” so called because they are not specifically built for speed, but the emphasis is on ingenuity.

Once completed, their “built-from-scratch” vehicles will be licensed as entries in the 2024 Redneck Rumble Not Rod Challenge, which will be held June 14-15 in Lebanon, Tenn.

Above, left, Rick Donnell and Mike Shaver of Doniphan display their works in progress, re-imagined vehicles they are fabricating from salvaged autos for entry in the 2024 Redneck Rumble Not Rod Challenge, June 14-15. Donnell flipped a 1948 Chevy truck frame, added a 2008 Honda VTX 1300 motor, and the body of a 1926 Ford Model T. He completed his build by attaching the rear end of a 1972 Chevy. For his build Shaver has used the front end of a 1968 Volkswagon, coupled with a 1968 six-cylinder Mustang motor and radiator. He then attached the body of a 1933 American Austin Bantom Roadster. Once the construction phase of the vehicles is complete, the two mechanics will give them a fresh coat of paint and head to the Farm Bureau Expo Center in Lebanon, Tenn., where the event is being held.

Staff photos by Debra Tune

Donnell and Shaver say this is something they have wanted to do for some time. The competitions were a big deal for fabricators about a decade ago, “but they stopped having them for awhile,” says Donnell.

“We kept saying we’d enter, if they ever brought it back. And last year there was a revival of the contest,” he says.

The event has world appeal, and has been known to draw its share of celebrities in the automotive world.

Among the most noteworthy Redneck Rumble star sightings has been well-known auto customizer and fabricator Gene Winfield, whose work has appeared in films such as Blade Runner, Star Trek, Robo Cop and Sleeper.

There will be trophies awarded to winners in each of three classes, as well as a feature in Grease Monkey magazine.

Donnell and Shaver aren’t looking for any kind of pay-off. What matters to them is the experience...the camaraderie and the opportunity to display their creations and see what the competition will show.

“This is mostly just about bragging rights,” admits Donnell.

Shaver says what he enjoys most is the build itself. The vehicles must be accomplished within a maximum $3,000 budget, and meet the criteria of “old school” styling.

There is an emphasis on safety, so features such as tires and brakes do not count against the budget.

“Since it is a tight budget you have to really get creative,” says Shaver. “Some people over-complicate it, because they can’t get past what they are looking at, and think out of the box.”

For both Donnell and Shaver, fabricating vehicles out of salvage is truly an art form.

“What makes it fun for me, is that I can salvage a car and re-imagine it. I can make a trike out of part of it, and then use the rest of it for something else,” says Shaver.

His vehicle will be propelled by an old Singer sewing machine foot pedal, and navigated by the steering wheel off an old tractor.

He found some roadster appropriate seats, which also had to be modified.

The vehicles will be required to have working lights and brakes, but no “frills” such as heat and air.

Almost anything goes, as long as the finished product is road legal and operable.

There will be a “reliability ride” at the beginning of the event to qualify the entries. The ride will be of sufficient length, with plenty of stops and turns to determine that the vehicles are road worthy.

Both Donnell and Shaver have had years of experience turning salvage into unique, functional pieces.

Shaver owns and operates the Highway 142 E Machine Shop, and Donnell, whose shop is located off Highway A, has for years built cars and raced them on his track.

Both have a passion for “anything and everything having to do with cars,” says Donnell.

Donnell says he was seven or eight years old, when he was tinkering around with cars, coached by his dad.

His parents, the late Landon and Mary Donnell were living in St. Louis at the time, and Landon had a garage.

“He’d have to watch me, because if I knew there was a car he was going to work on, he’d go to town and I’d have it taken apart before he got back,” remembers Donnell.

Donnel also plans to compete in the Rat Rod Challenge which is held in Illinois in September, and is limited to 300 entries.

Shaver came to the area from Westminster, Colo., in about 2013. His sister, Pam, later also retired to the area. She and his niece, Ange, are co-owners of Current River Fabric and Quilting.

Donnell and Shaver invite others with a passion for building cars to link arms with them.

“I feel this is becoming a lost art, and we both have an interest in doing what we can to make sure that these types of skills don’t fall by the wayside,” says Donnell.

Interested parties are welcome to stop by their places of business or contact them on their Facebook page.