The Big Man — a.k.a William Robert Bates, M.D. — does double duty as board-qualified doctor of internal medicine and automobile mechanic touched by the hand of God. Since purchasing his first vehicle (a bombed-out '36 Ford sedan) at age ten, Bates literally grew up with a wrench in his greasy little hand, working on everything from Depression-era tractors to sleek, restorable sports coupes. At last count, he has owned a total of 36 cars in as many years of life.

A walking database of mechanical knowledge, The Big Man spends most of his off hours in his preferred habitat — the garage. His well-tooled workshop contains more specialized tools than most NASCAR speedways. The garage's floor is permanently stained with the fluids of all cars, foreign and domestic, as are most of The Big Man's tee-shirts. Late at night, you can find him puttering around the shop, air ratchet in hand, enjoying the process of reworking various cars-of-the-moment (currently a 1966 Oldsmobile Toranado, nicknamed "The Albino Batmobile).

"Since purchasing his first vehicle (a bombed-out '36 Ford sedan) at age ten, Bates literally grew up with a wrench in his greasy little hand, working on everything from Depression-era tractors to sleek, restorable sports coupes."

The numerous FOBM (friends of the Big Man) also benefit from his extensive knowledge and generally obsessive nature — especially if they drive cheap cars. As an inveterate tinkerer and motorhead mutant of the highest order, Bates will jump under any hood for a quick look-see and inevitable healing session. As a result, he serves as automotive father-confessor to friends across the country. He just can't resist.

In his spare time, The Big Man reads the classified ads in search of his next conquest.

The author (and his endless parade of beat-up trucks) are forever in The Big Man's debt.

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