[1]Big Daddy Roth and his infamous Rat Fink got the ball rolling, and now it’s literally come to a head. Unabashed, gritty and in-your-face, American Shifter [2] has been cranking out some seriously hardcore hot roddin’ equipment, including – but nowhere restricted to – some seriously screwed up shifter knobs.
Whether you’re looking to celebrate your favorite dead grunge band lead singer with a Kurt Cobain tribute knob, a skeletal Confederate soldier or the once most wanted man in the world, Osama bin Laden, you can have it.
The newest member of the American Shifter lineup is their exclusive Osama bin Hidin’ Shift Knob [3]. Advertised as the perfect way to celebrate a true American victory, this grotesque and distastefully comic rendering of the terrorist leader can be viced in your own hand as you row through the gears!
According to American Shifter, each shift knob (as well as Brody knobs and other hot rod accessories) start with a hand-sculpted figurine, which is then cast in high-impact resin, and hand painted.
Their new Osama addition is part of American Shifter’s handcrafted “evil doers” knob collection. Once just a small “hobby business,” the Portland, Oregon company has swelled to 40 talented and oddly creative employees.
In an interview with the Portland Tribune [4], Justin Smith, head of American Shifter’s creative department explained, “We were surprised by the overwhelming worldwide demand for the Osama bin Hidin’ shift knob. We are getting orders everyday from around the world and are working overtime to meet the demands of our customers.”
Osama bin Hidin’ is a limited production run of only 5000 units, so if you’re looking to get your hands around that rat bastard’s neck, act now.
American Shifter International and any of it subsidiaries include but not limited to AutoLoc Power Accessories, Stellar Security Systems, Zirgo Cooling Products, Protocol Performance Products, Keep It Clean Wiring, Aurora Instruments, Helix Suspension Systems, Vintage Reproduction Parts hereinafter THG.