Nebraska is a big place. Drove the length of it, turning off in Ogallala to do something long overdue: Finally meet up with Jim & Bev Styskal down in Grant.

Now, ever since I met my buddy Styk back in 2000, I’ve been hearing about his parents. We hit it off for a four succinct reasons.

- First, we were Midwestern by blood, so you know how that goes.
- Second, we love our parents.
- Third, we live far from home.
- And finally, fourth, we are badasses, so, that works well too.

We’ve been fast friends ever since and he’s saved my life more than once. A brother.

So all these years, and all these road trips back and forth, each time I’d pass up the turn down to Grant at Ogallala, I’d get an earful from Styk how I screwed up, and should’ve stopped off to meet Jim & Bev.

So this time, things were gonna change. I called Styk a couple days out and had him warn his parents of just who’d be showing up on their doorstep. I mean, it’s no easy feat inviting me into yer house. Leigh is just fine. But me, I’m the last thing you want in a respectable household. So we got to Ogallala, called Jim, got directions and in no time were knocking on their door some 20 miles to the south.

JIm & Bev welcomed us with open arms. We caught up on all things Styk, growing up in the Midwest, and future plans. You know, just sitting there and knowing instantly that you met some of the greatest people in the nation, and hell, definitely the best of Nebraska. It’s a big state.

Jim’s a car guy, and has been for 50 years. He took us on a tour of his facilities and I’ll be damned if it wasn’t the best thing I’d seen in a long, long time. Beautiful old cars, restored to picture-perfect condition, souped up in the best ways. Immaculate engines. Pinstripes. Big meats. Serious horsepower. And, every single square inch of the place, earned through determination and hard work. The kind of story that can move mountains, if you ask me.

I can’t take it any more. Here’s a Flickr set called, “Meeting Jim & Bev Styskal of Grant, Nebraska.” Get in there and get dirty.

And if you are ever in the western Nebraska, just know that Top Notch Automotive is the only place to go. Specialties include General Automotive Repair, Tune Ups, Welding, Brake Work and Kick Ass Customizing. Take our word for it.

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Out of Grant, we kept on going all the way west to Denver, and quickly found Larry’s Lair. We had a nice dinner at some hipster joint and welcomed the new year in the best we could, road worn, tired and weary.

Long live Jim & Bev!