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Shawn O'Brien

@shawn0brien

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The drive into @the_gathering_at_the_roc is something I’ll never forget: truly special. What a wonderful experience I’m so thankful I was invited to be a part of it. taken in Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve by @shawn0brien

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6 days ago

@wagtag_rodshopandfab and @shawn0brien were a blast to hang out with… I haven’t laughed that hard working on a car in a long time. by @shawn0brien

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24 days ago

@kustomvilleworldwide photo dump by @shawn0brien

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25 days ago

Day 4 September 17, 2026 4 states NM, TX, OK, KS. 530 miles on the road to @kustomvilleworldwide

Photos:
1. Filled up the car at this historic gas station
2/3. My kids said I am living “lavishly” so had to share these photos of my lavish bedroom and bathroom
4. Postcards Home a travel must
5. Cool Route 66 hotel in Tucumcari
6. Texas state line
7/8/9 Route 66 Midpoint, Adrian TX
10. Vega, Tx. Broke down here in 2011. Kind stranger who gave me a push rod back then sadly died in 2024.
11/12. Pie and saddle bronc riding at Mary Jo’s in Vega, Tex
13/14 Locals in Vega, TX
15/16 my first visit to Buc-ee’s in Amarillo, Tx. Truly life changing
17. The leaving water tower
18. My friend @johnboy805 bought this church a few years ago in Oklahoma, one of my highlights of the trip.
19. Kansas state line
20. Final destination, @famousmcphail Artist at Large Tattoo, Wichita, Ks by @shawn0brien

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a month ago

When you have Hot Rod Hooligan friends sometimes they make a dramatic exit. @wagtag_rodshopandfab @shawn0brien taken in Wichita, Kansas by @shawn0brien

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a month ago

Day 3, Wednesday 9/16 Gallup ➡️Tucumcari, NM for a total of 315 miles on the journey to @kustomvilleworldwide

1. The final stop for the night, Tucumcari, New Mexico and the obligatory stop at the Blue Swallow Motel after dark.
2. The day started in the historic Hotel El Rancho, one of the coolest hotels I’ve ever stayed in.
3. The tow truck driver picked up @johnboy805 John at 8:30 to get to work fixing his car.
4. I spent some time exploring Gallup while I waited for a call for what parts John needed brought. I visited this rad leather shop @kestrelleather where I met the owner Coye. The store is worth the visit.
5. John helping wrap up the work on his wagon with some $$4.99 a foot fuel line!
6. We got on the road at 12:45 and no more than 10 miles down the road my window fell into the door. With monsoon rain starting, I spent 30 minutes in the Flying J duct taping my window regulator back together.
7. My cousin Scott I had time try a New Mexico Chili Burger from Lottaburger.
8. A quick rinse in the Blue Hole in Santa Rosa. 61 degrees of crystal blue water.
9/10/11/12. The neon of Tucumcari. by @shawn0brien

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a month ago

Day 2, 404 miles from kingman, AZ to Gallup, NM including the longest existing stretch of Route 66. There are only two certainties when you’re on the road, gas stops and chicken fried steak. Everything else you have to just see what comes. My wagon had a simple 5 minute repair when my throttle return spring broke on the highway right in flagstaff, with a Napa visible. The Purple wagon had a bad day mechanically and wasn’t so lucky, and ended up on a tow trek for the final 130 miles to Gallup. @johnboy805 and Christi took everything in stride, vibes remained positive.

Photos
1. Route 66 Centennial celebrations are in full effect on the entire route.
2. Woke up Day 2 in a flying j parking lot to some great-tailed grackles.
3. Met George and his Party Time Van on Route 66 near Hackberry Store.
4. Hackberry Store, Route 66 between Kingman and Seligman
5/6. Photos for Dr. @shredular_dystrophy The garage behind Hackberry Store has been cleaned up to display the old engines and tools
7. Bigfoot Sighting in Hackberry.
8. Bad ass mercury hardtop wagon on Route 66 @hotdoggerchampionships
9/10. A big part of Route 66 is the people. This is Big Mike. He runs the store in Seligman in the second photo and is the epitome of Route 66 hospitality
11. Seligman,Az. Welcome travelers!
12. Wagons Across America
13. Twin Arrows, Az. There used to be two arrows but one fell down. Look carefully, you can see the Lorax
14. Such a fine sight to see
15/16. Wigwam Motel, Holbrook Az
17 New Mexican Burger
18/19 Both Wagons eventually made it to the Historic El Rancho Hotel in Gallup by @shawn0brien

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a month ago

Yesterday was day one and 329 miles down on the way to @kustomvilleworldwide on the 100 year anniversary of Route 66. Today I’ll be on the road to Gallup.

1, 2, 3, 4 Got on the road at 11, and caught up to @johnboy805 and Christy in their beautiful 1960 wagon at the Baghdad Cafe. It is quirky and fun and Matt running the place is one of those nice folks you always seem to meet on the road. Also met a guy with a Route 66 tattoo with a 1959 wagon! Matt gave us printed photos of our cars signed and stamped on the back.

5,6 It was 110 degrees through the desert with no air conditioning. 80mph all the way to the random little town of Oatman, a town run by asses.

7,8,9,10 30 miles on historic Route 66 from Oatman to Kingman. To see John’s wagon with its crazy paint on the switch backs sparkling in the muted desert was quite a beautiful contrast of colors

11,12 Made it to Kingman, with its beautiful historic downtown with murals, neon and classic cars. First meatloaf of the trip. Chicken fried steak next dinner.

13,14 My bed for the night in the beautiful flying J. by @shawn0brien

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a month ago

19 days of dating ➡️ 20 years of marriage! 💕 This celebration called for a professional photographer! Hard to narrow down all the amazing pictures @stuartwieten was able to capture! I have 200+ in my favorites! So thankful for your talents, Stu. If anyone is looking for a Los Angeles based photographer, hit him up! by @shawn0brien

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5 months ago

In January 2025, we bought this 68 bronco off a friend who parked it behind his house 11 years prior. The plan is to make it a dependable daily driver (possibly painted Mary Kay pink if girls have their way) for Birdie to drive when she turns 16 in 1.5 years. After a year of tinkering we think we finally have most of the mechanicals dialed. 2026 will be the year for some minor rust repair and other cosmetic changes, in addition to many rips about the PV penninsula. Then in 2027 when Birdie has her license, we want to do a father daughter trip down Baja with @slowbaja, as old cars are ultimately still cars and meant to be driven. #earlybronco #1968bronco #ford @wildhorsesbroncos @birdie_obrien_ by @shawn0brien

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9 months ago

The O’Briens hosted a Christmas Party! 🎄🪩💃🏽 by @shawn0brien

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10 months ago

So stoked the wagon was accepted into @the_gathering_at_the_roc next October in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. My grandfather grew up in Cleveland, Ok and my grandmother in Hominy, Ok before heading west during WWII and settling in the South Bay. This show will have some sentimentality to it. In September I drove down to Hominy and Cleveland after the Kustomville show to understand a bit my Okie roots, and I am genuinely looking forward to spending more time in Oklahoma and attending such a radical show at such a unique venue. To be honest shows that include a 1600 mile drive are all that really appeal to me right now.

I built my wagon 22 years ago as a 21 year old college kid. I paid $1000 for paint and bodywork never dreaming that paint would last 21 years. I slept in it 2 nights a week my final year of college. Since i built it, i've driven it nearly 253k miles. It has been a daily driver, (@misspartymom daily during our first year of marriage), its been driven cross country on family camping road trips, its been a moving van and a work truck, it has repeatedly taken spur of the moment trips all over the country, it made it on the cover of a coffee table book, and was made into a matchbox car. Mechanically its nothing fancy, a carbureted SBC, turbo 350 trans, 3.08 gears, air ride suspension. I have had some rust repair done the last few months by @dreamex_restorations as the miles and ocean air had taken a bit of a toll. But I jump in it tomorrow and jam cross country without a worry, because ultimately its just our car, and that is kind of the charm of the thing. So come October we will be heading east... by @shawn0brien

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10 months ago