{"id":15,"date":"2009-09-02T22:13:21","date_gmt":"2009-09-02T22:13:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deathcookie.com\/home\/the-wheelman\/"},"modified":"2023-03-02T05:35:01","modified_gmt":"2023-03-02T05:35:01","slug":"the-wheelman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deathcookie.com\/home\/the-wheelman\/","title":{"rendered":"The Wheelman"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the inhabitants of Hazzard County (where everything from property disputes to custody battles can be settled with a car race) know, it\u2019s often handy to have an experienced driver on your side. The wheelman is the guy you want in the driver\u2019s seat when you\u2019re making a fast getaway from your latest bank job, chasing a hundred-foot-tall atomic monster through downtown Baltimore, or trying to outrun every cop in the greater Chicago area. While the term \u201cwheelman\u201d is often associated with criminal types, there are a handful of legitimate occupations available to people with lead feet and a blatant disregard for traffic laws.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Likely Stories<\/h1>\n

While a few wheelmen are merely good drivers, most are car enthusiasts. As a result, most have spent a large part of their lives in and around cars\u2014working for repair shops, rebuilding classic autos, and attending or participating in races (legal or illegal). Some wheelmen turn their skills to legitimate business pursuits such as long-haul trucking, auto repair, and professional racing. Others (especially those with a \u201cneed for speed\u201d) choose shadier occupations like getaway driver, smuggler, or car thief.<\/p>\n

The Name Game<\/h1>\n

Like other action heroes, wheelmen often have monosyllabic, manly names like Jack or Rick. Last names are usually either working-class or evocative of speed and\/or danger. Wheelman characters may also have surnames that are homages to famous racecar drivers or movie wheelmen (Earnhardt, Raines). Nicknames are popular among wheelmen, especially those who are involved in criminal activities. Some nicknames are related to a famous incident in the character\u2019s past (\u201cOne-Axle Bill\u201d) or favorite type of car (\u201cCorvette Jack\u201d). Others are based on the character\u2019s personality (\u201cSmilin\u2019 Jim\u201d) or physical characteristics (\u201cHandsome Rob\u201d). Those who regularly deal with truck drivers may go by their CB handle (\u201cBandit\u201d).<\/p>\n

The Numbers<\/h1>\n

The Wheelman\u2019s character concept will determine where his best Numbers are concentrated, but most will want to have a pretty even spread between Body, Brain, and Nerve. A good Body gives the character the reflexes necessary to make last-minute adjustments and keep his vehicle under control. Brain rolls are needed when the character wants to spot that little old lady about to cross the street with the baby carriage or figure out what street he\u2019s on after all those bootlegger turns and shortcuts through alleyways. A high Nerve Number gives the character the testicular fortitude required to drive through downtown rush-hour traffic at 90 miles an hour in reverse.<\/p>\n

Suggested Jobs<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Ambulance Driver, Bus Driver, Blues Musician, Cab Driver, Car Thief, Chauffer, Combat Driver, Driving Instructor, Fireman, Forklift Operator, Garbage Man, Getaway Driver, Long-Haul Trucker, Mechanic, Milkman, Postal Worker, Smuggler, Spy, Stuntman, Test Driver, Traffic Cop, Transporter, Used Car Salesman, Wheelman<\/p>\n

Suggested Gimmicks<\/h1>\n

Always Find a Parking Space, Car-Fu, Cop Didn\u2019t See It, Death Proof, Drive Anything, Find Every Shortcut, Friends In Low Places, Get Out of Tickets, Go Faster, Human Radar Detector, I Can Fix It, King of the Road, Nerves of Steel, Prepared, Traffic Is My Friend, Zen Navigation<\/p>\n

Suggested Weaknesses<\/h1>\n

Bad Direction Sense, Cop Magnet, Gremlins, Strange Vehicle Magnet, Road Construction Ahead, Stuck In Traffic, Wanted Man, Wrong Way<\/p>\n

Suggested Skills<\/h1>\n

Auto Body Repair, Auto Repair, Beat the Train, Bootlegger Turn, Combat Driving, Drag Racing, Emergency Driving, Hot Wire, Keep a Low Profile, NASCAR Trivia, PIT Maneuver, Quick Tire Change, Shortcuts, Stunt Driving, Vehicular Assault, Vehicular Intimidation<\/p>\n

WWPHITM?<\/h1>\n

Dan Ackroyd, Nicholas Cage, Bruce Campbell, David Carradine, Jackie Chan, Rosario Dawson, Vin Diesel, Mos Def, Jamie Fox, Mel Gibson, Buddy Hackett, David Hasselhoff, Angelina Jolie, Tommy Lee Jones, Vinnie Jones, Peter Lorre, Rose McGowan, Steve McQueen, Mr. T, Lori Petty, Richard Pryor, Queen Latifa, Jerry Reed, Burt Reynolds, Michelle Rodriguez, Kurt Russell, John Schneider, Charlie Sheen, Wesley Snipes, Sean William Scott, Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham,<\/p>\n

Tag Line<\/h1>\n

\u201cFor the good old American lifestyle: For the money, for the glory, and for the fun… mostly for the money.\u201d\u2014The Bandit, Smokey & the Bandit<\/p>\n

Tools of the Trade<\/h1>\n

The wheelman\u2019s most important tool is, obviously enough, his vehicle. Classic American muscle cars are the most common preference, but some wheelmen prefer German engineering or even riced-out Honda Civics. Regardless of the type of car being driven, most wheelmen will require that it have a radar detector and a decent stereo system. Before the cell phones were widely used, a CB radio was a vital communications tool. Spare tires, a set of basic tools, and other maintenance items can also make life easier for a driver. In addition to the car itself, the wheelman needs a decent pair of sunglasses, and traditionalists will insist on driving gloves. A driver\u2019s license, registration, and proof of insurance (or false versions of these documents) can also come in handy. \u00a0Finally, a wheelman engaged in illegal activities will probably carry a handgun or other weapon and may carry pry bars, \u201cSlim Jims,\u201d and similar equipment useful for boosting cars.<\/p>\n

Where You’ll Find Him<\/h1>\n

Most wheelmen are grease monkeys to some extent, and can usually be found in places where other gear heads spend their time: mechanic shops, race tracks, and rough bars. Truck stops and greasy diners are also favorite hangouts.<\/p>\n

Social Circle<\/h1>\n

As already noted, most wheelmen tend to spend their time around other people who share their interest in fine automobiles: mechanics, drag racers, and other car enthusiasts. Wheelmen of a criminal bent will also have some underworld contacts and may be more well-known than they\u2019d like to members of local law enforcement.<\/p>\n

Sample Character<\/h1>\n
\n
\"TheElwood Blues<\/dt>\n<\/dl>\n

Body:<\/strong> 11<\/p>\n

Brain:<\/strong> 12<\/p>\n

Nerve:<\/strong> 14<\/p>\n

Job:<\/strong> Blues Musician (15)<\/p>\n

Gimmick:<\/strong> Can Make Cars Do The Physically Improbable (15)<\/p>\n

Weakness:<\/strong> Wanted Man (15)<\/p>\n

Skills:<\/strong> Briefcase Full of Tricks +3; Music Trivia +2; Dancing +1<\/p>\n

WWPHITM?<\/strong> Dan Ackroyd<\/p>\n

Dumb Fact:<\/strong> Likes to eat dry white toast<\/p>\n

Tag Line:<\/strong> \u201cIt’s got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it’s got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It’s a model made before catalytic converters so it’ll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?\u201d<\/p>\n

HP:<\/strong> 11<\/p>\n

YY:<\/strong> 4<\/p>\n

Inspirational Material<\/h1>\n

Movies<\/h2>\n

The Blues Brothers<\/em><\/p>\n

Bullitt<\/em><\/p>\n

Cannonball Run<\/em><\/p>\n

Cobra<\/em><\/p>\n

Days of Thunder<\/em><\/p>\n

Death Proof<\/em><\/p>\n

Death Race<\/em><\/p>\n

Dukes of Hazzard<\/em><\/p>\n

Gone In 60 Seconds<\/em><\/p>\n

Greased Lightning<\/em><\/p>\n

Herbie the Love Bug series<\/em><\/p>\n

The Italian Job<\/em><\/p>\n

Mad Max<\/em><\/p>\n

The Road Warrior<\/em><\/p>\n

Smokey & the Bandit series<\/em><\/p>\n

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby<\/em><\/p>\n

The Transporter series<\/em><\/p>\n

Vanishing Point<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0Music<\/h2>\n

“Born to be Wild,” Steppenwolf<\/p>\n

“Born to Run,” Bruce Springsteen<\/p>\n

\u201cConvoy,\u201d C.W. McCall<\/p>\n

\u201cEastbound and Down,\u201d Jerry Reed<\/p>\n

\u201cGood Ol\u2019 Boys (Dukes of Hazzard Theme),\u201d Waylon Jennings<\/p>\n

“Guitar Town,” Steve Earle and the Dukes<\/p>\n

“Hang On St. Christopher,” Tom Waits<\/p>\n

“Home to Houston,” Steve Earle<\/p>\n

“I Can’t Drive 55,” Sammy Hagar<\/p>\n

“Interstate Cannonball,\u201d Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash<\/p>\n

\u201cOn The Road Again,\u201d Willie Nelson<\/p>\n

“State Trooper,” Bruce Springsteen<\/p>\n

“The Road Goes On Forever,” Robert Earl Keene<\/p>\n

\u201cTruck Driving Song,\u201d Weird Al Yankovic<\/p>\n

\u201c(We Are)\u201d The Road Crew,\u201d Motorhead<\/p>\n

TV<\/h2>\n

BJ & the Bear<\/em><\/p>\n

Dukes of Hazzard<\/em><\/p>\n

Knight Rider<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the inhabitants of Hazzard County (where everything from property disputes to custody battles can be settled with a car race) know, it\u2019s often handy to have an experienced driver on your side. The wheelman is the guy you want in the driver\u2019s seat when you\u2019re making a fast getaway from your latest bank job,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3528,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1998],"tags":[2751,2741,2742,2743,2744,2745,2746,2747,2748,2749,2750,2740,2752,2753,2754,2755,2756,2757,2758,2759,2760,1803,99,105,107,108,110,119,1147,1148,1321,1688,98,2038,2213,2398,2497,2514,2684,2737,2738,2739],"class_list":["post-15","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-archetype-of-the-week","tag-vanishing-point","tag-days-of-thunder","tag-death-proof","tag-death-race","tag-gone-in-60-seconds","tag-greased-lightning","tag-herbie-the-love-bug","tag-the-italian-job","tag-the-road-warrior","tag-talladega-nights","tag-the-transporter","tag-cobra","tag-steppenwolf","tag-bruce-springsteen","tag-c-w-mccall","tag-steve-earle","tag-sammy-hagar","tag-bastard-sons-of-johnny-cash","tag-willie-nelson","tag-robert-earl-keene","tag-motorhead","tag-robert-rodriguez","tag-blues-brothers","tag-steve-mcqueen","tag-jason-statham","tag-convoy","tag-dukes-of-hazzard","tag-archetypes","tag-knight-rider","tag-bj-and-the-bear","tag-tom-waits","tag-mad-max","tag-wheelman","tag-weird-al","tag-waylon-jennings","tag-dan-ackroyd","tag-smokey-and-the-bandit","tag-ricky-bobby","tag-jerry-reed","tag-elwood-blues","tag-bullitt","tag-cannonball-run"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deathcookie.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deathcookie.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deathcookie.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deathcookie.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deathcookie.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/deathcookie.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3981,"href":"https:\/\/deathcookie.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15\/revisions\/3981"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deathcookie.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3528"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deathcookie.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deathcookie.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deathcookie.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}