Ok, yesterday we posted a story about the Hog Helmet Car. Today, we got a response from the current owner, Glenn Gilbreath. Glenn is the owner of Castle Graphics, a screen printing shop in Paris, Arkansas, and is also the proud owner of the sweetest Hog Helmet Car and Hog Helmet RC Car the world has ever known.

FF: How did you come to possess the famous hog helmet car?

GG: Glenn Gilbreath: James Henson built the helmet car some 35-40 years ago. He was my Sunday School teacher and when the U of A told him he could no longer bring it to games, he sold it to me. I own a Screen Print and Graphics business here in Pars. We wanted it for the Eagles if we could not use it for the Hogs. James sold it to me and we had it painted blue and decked out with the Eagle Logo. It also made a one game appearance as the Gosnell Pirates Helmet car as a favor to a good friend of mine. That story will be on the hoghelmet.com website soon. I have a second helmet and we are building a chasis for it for Paris. I am an Eagle fan as well as a Hog Fan…

FF: You have the little RC model as well, correct?

GG: Yes, I do. Sort of. Harrison Mosley is helping me with the restore on it. It is currently in the shop where it was originally built. It had an airplane remote control which is now illegal for ground vehicles due to FAA frequency rules.

FF: Have you had contact with the U of A athletic department about the possibility of re-introducing the Hog Helmet Car to a new generation of hog fans?

GG: The folks who know folks at the U of A from hogville.net are talking to the powers that be at the U of A. I have not talked to anyone myself. I would not even know who to call. I would love to meet with the U of A folks and get permission to bring it back to games. I would not even care if it was left on the sidelines. It needs to be there. It is an important part of Hog History.

FF: The car is currently blue correct? What are your plans as far as restoring the car to its original glory? Any special features?

GG: Yes it is blue until the helmet we were loaned gets here and then Mike Fredericks Body Shop will paint it to match the new Metallic Red helmets. The original red and white leather seats are still on the car. My Mom made me some blue seat covers and we covered them up… but they are still there! Everything else is original, since the Hogs are Red and White and the Eagles are Blue and White, it worked out good for us.

I want to do this in Memory of James Henson. He was my friend and a great friend of the Hogs.

FF: How can (we) the public help make sure the Hog Helmet Car makes its way back onto the field at RRS?

GG: I think the main thing we need to do is just be excited. Some people want to pressure the U of A. I don’t think that’s the way to go. We all love the Hogs… the helmet is just one way of showing that. I believe that if enough people are excited about it and we make appearances around the town, we can generate the correct interest on the hill. It would me much cooler if they asked us back! In the mean time, it will be available for events and tailgate parties. Maybe we can even use it to raise funds for a scholarship in memory of James Henson. James was heart broken when he was not allowed to bring the helmet to the games anymore. He Was a HUGE Hogs Fan.

Glenn sounds like an incredibly nice guy, as does James Henson, the original owner who has since passed away. There are several costs associated with a project like this, and you can find out how to contribute to the restoration of the Hog Helmet Car at www.hoghelmet.com. All donations will be used for:

1)Insurance
2)An enclosed trailer for the Helmet Car (Glen says it was on a flat trailer at one time, and at a game with Texas, the helmet was stolen. Damn Longhorns.)
3)Gas for taking it to events
4)Gas
5)Gas
6)If by chance it raises more than is needed we will create the scholarship fund.

We think this rules. Good work, Glenn, and good luck!