Have you seen this truck? James Stoltie is the brain and brawn behind the wheel.
I saw the Zombie Annihilator on Stone Avenue. It was patrolling the perimeter of downtown Greenville. It had a severed head swinging from a chain on the chassis. Colorful, flashing LED lights illuminate the body of the truck which is wrapped in a gory scene of bloodied hands, hearts and exposed intestines. Half naked zombie bodies are grotesquely trapped beneath the hood, crushed in between doors and impaled on the front grill. It looks scary. It’s strange. So I followed it.
The Annihilator growled into a gas station. As the engine shut off, it was like the sudden quiet moment when the power goes out. James Stoltie and two boys climbed down. James has an unusual gait. His stride is strong and loping but there’s a small hesitation. Not quite a hitch not a limp but something...His build is intimidating, strong and wiry. He has tattoos, heavy silver piercings and at first glance may frighten you. But just like spotting the Annihilator on the road -- do a double take, Stoltie deserves a second look. There is more than meets the eye.
Tonight, the Zombie Annihilator barreled into my residential subdivision. It rumbled house windows. It blocked out the setting sunlight and shrunk my home to dollhouse ratio. James accepted my invitation for an interview and for tacos. He brought his son, Jimmy and a few friends. They are polite almost shy but then they relax and tacos disappeared quickly. James leans casually against the kitchen sink, his arms folded while answering my questions. He doesn’t interject personal stories or tidbits. He waits for each question. He doesn’t mind interrogation but doesn’t add to it either. In the very same fashion he’s built this flashy, intriguing machine, he observes from the side stage; letting the truck shine in the spotlight. James is originally from Huntington Beach, California. A West coast motor head who left the racing circuit and has resided on the East coast for years. He’s a father and family man. His son, Jimmy plays golf and football for Berea high school.
There is a slight falter in his step. In fact, some locals have complained when he uses a handicap parking space for the Annihilator. They fail to observe the handicap sticker in the front window. They didn’t take that second glance. Or maybe they were too scared to peer inside? An accident in an auto body shop decimated the bones in his foot. He was lucky to escape further damage. Stoltie shrugs it off when retelling. He doesn’t like the notion of being labeled disabled or handicap. But the pain is real and he manages it daily. Pain may be the driving force behind his creation of the Zombie Annihilator. In order to escape chronic pain, you distract your mind. A former commercial truck driver, Stoltie is retired now. And he’s created one of the biggest and coolest auto distractions on our local scene.
He bought the truck stock circa 2014. There is nothing stock on the 28 foot long monster now. It weighs in at 13k. It sits 9 feet 3 inches high with the help of 37” mud terrains. Under the hood, waiting in the dark, lurks 700 RWHP capable of 1800 pounds of torque force. Sticky Grafix wrapped the body and Carlton Customs and Greenville Customs have worked on the Annihilator. He's running two computers; Efi live and Bullydog. Every upgrade, every modification is custom and funded by Stoltie. It’s more than his hobby. This has become his masterpiece..a gift to others..a loud, bold reminder to enjoy life. Make it fun again.
For someone who isn’t afraid to climb into the belly of the beast and take control, James is soft spoken. Reserved but not rude. He answers questions in a staccato rhythm. Direct but not disconnected. As he speaks he looks at you but also passed you, like he's halfway down the road.
THRIFT INK: “What do you love about driving?”
STOLTIE: “ Freedom. Freedom is behind the wheel.”
He states this immediately.
He smiles after answering. His expressions are searing and he offers a light hearted shrug after some statements as if he’s fully aware of his intensity and counters it to make those around him comfortable. Although his exterior is gruff, he’s kind and adores children. Two of my youngest girls have been hiding around the corner, peeking and waving to see if they can get the visitors attention. Just as they get brave enough to step into the kitchen, Stoltie jumps at them yelling
-- Arhg! -- When they shriek and run off he laughs.
THRIFT INK: “Why did you choose a zombie theme?”
STOLTIE: “Because there wasn’t a zombie truck around here. Because hunting zombies would be awesome and it’s just fun!”
THRIFT INK: “How many people have you pulled out of ditches and helped roadside?”
STOLTIE: “Too many to count. We go out on ice days, especially”
THRIFT INK: “Which city has the friendliest law enforcement?”
STOLTIE: {Laughs} “Why all of them of course! But Easley is the most interesting. I was pulled over on Main Street because my LED flashes blue which is not appreciated but the officer called another officer who called another and soon half the force was checking out my truck.”
THRIFT INK: “What local companies do your custom work?”
STOLTIE: “LED Innovations, Sticky Grafix, Carlton Customs and Greenville Customs to name a few.
THRIFT INK: “Do you have an app that locates diesel stations?”
STOLTIE: “Nah. I know where they are in SC, NC and most of GA.”
THRIFT INK: “Ballpark figure of your current investment"
STOLTIE: “Over the last few years, approximately $300k.”
THRIFT INK: “What’s your next mod?”
STOLTIE: (Grins) "I want to add height by mounting an armored turret.”
THRIFT INK: “Only if Christine mans it.”
This makes James laugh and we glance toward Christine. She's the gorgeous gal impaled on the front grill. Smokes like a chimney and she’d be a great road scout.
We talk about zombie movies from Night of the Living Dead, Day of the Dead, ZombieLand and the video game Resident Evil. All designed for enjoyment, to help take away stress of normal life and for the simple factor of fun. Just like the Annihilator.
We’ve walked outside to see the truck now. Stoltie fires it up. It’s a blast of adrenaline. He revs the engine loudly. Puffs of black smoke shoot out from the exhaust. The reverberating power of this engine makes your skin buzz and your heart thump in your chest like front row in a concert.
He smiles when the neighbors come outside to see what’s going on. Especially the kids. They’re crawling out from behind doors and fences like Zombies who caught a whiff of uninfected, fresh brain.
“REV IT AGAIN”, a boy yells.
James obliges and a group of boys high five and jump up and down.
“LOUDER! DO IT AGAIN!” the boys scream. And they run through the diesel smoke clouds.
STOLTIE: “Wanna hear the horn?”
We all nod yes.
We should have known better. It’s not a stock horn. It’s a locomotive 180 decibel horn.The sound tears through the air and everyone jumps. This cracks James up. His shoulders shake as he laughs it off.
THRIFT INK:”Who gets the train horn? Slow drivers? Rude drivers?”
STOLTIE: “Seriously, I wouldn’t use that full force on the city road. If I do it’s on the highway and it means, MOVE.”
The neighbors are taking photos and making jokes about how he should be an UBER or LYFT driver. Can you imagine dialing your ride and the Zombie Annihilator rumbles up? He has gone through school car lines, entered in local auto shows and parks the truck downtown Greenville and surrounding cities. He off roads, trekking through muddy foothills and long, high winding mountain paths.
He is the sage of Carolina roads. Crushing the weak, dull routine of life beneath gigantic tire treads and gaining priceless freedom with each mile in his rear view mirror.
Has Stoltie ever tugged you out of a ditch of misfortune? Has the Annihilator ever come to your rescue or simply given you a great distraction to view? If he’s ever popped the hood open, let you climb inside the cab or hoisted one of your kids into the beast, take a moment to thank him online. Let’s support his art. Follow on Instagram and Facebook. Contact James if you're interested in sponsoring. Let’s keep the fun things in life rolling.
#zombietruck tag it when you spot it! @zombieannihilator
www.facebook.zombieannihilator.com
www.carltoncustoms.com
www.autoyas.com
www.stickygrafixwraps.com
https://www.ledinnovationsonline.store/
www.tessrunionphotography.com