Austin Hinds - Founder
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1942-2026
From an early age, he understood the value of effort and commitment, and the word quit did not exist in his vocabulary.
As a teenager, he began working for his grandfather, John J Hinds, in the scrap metal business. Those early years were spent learning the trade firsthand—traveling, buying, and gathering materials, and developing a work ethic that would guide him for the rest of his life. Many have shared stories of his strength and resolve, including the often-repeated account that he could load a complete small-block Chevrolet engine into the bed of a pickup truck by himself.
His uncles, ML Hinds of Huntsville, and Billy Hinds of Arab, also played an essential role in the early stages of my father’s career, offering guidance and support that helped shape his professional path.
During the 1960s, my father worked at Cheaha Chevrolet, where he also developed a passion for drag racing at Sylacauga and Green Valley. He raced several cars proudly bearing the name Cheaha Peddler on each side, earning class trophies that remain today as reminders of both his talent and competitive spirit. Throughout his career with Chevrolet, he received numerous sales awards—testaments to his dedication, skill, and reputation.
In the 1973, my father founded Austin Hinds Motors on Main Street in Arab, Alabama, beginning humbly in the backyard of a rental home. At that time, he operated a wrecker service alongside a truck scrap yard, guided by the belief that “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.”
By the mid-1970s, operations moved to Highway 231 South near the former Arab Tribune building. In 1977, he partnered with Chevron, a tow truck manufacturer, marking the beginning of his success in selling car-carrier rollbacks. In 1980, he purchased the White tractor dealership after it closed, further expanding his business.
In 1981, his reputation and success drew the attention of Jerr-Dan Corporation, which invited him to become a dual-line dealer. During this time, his factory representative, Rick Fassnacht, became not only a trusted colleague but a lifelong friend. Their bond endured until Rick’s passing after a courageous battle with cancer.
In 1986, Vulcan Wreckers of Canada welcomed my father into their dealer network. That partnership continued until Miller Industries acquired Vulcan and Chevron. Austin Hinds Motors ultimately became a full-line Miller Industries dealer, adding Century to its offerings and completing a meaningful full circle—partnering with a family-oriented manufacturer as AHM entered its third generation.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, my father was a man of quiet generosity. He helped countless people along the way—often in ways no one else ever knew. He never sought recognition, never boasted, and rarely spoke of what he did for others. He simply saw a need and met it, believing that doing the right thing required no audience. Many of those acts may never be known, but they were known to God, and they remain part of the legacy he leaves behind.
To say that our family has been blessed by the grace of God is truly an understatement.
My father was, without question, the finest salesman I have ever known. He possessed a rare ability to connect with people, earning trust and building lasting relationships. Through the wrecker industry, he formed countless friendships that became extended family—far too many to name, yet each deeply valued.
Above all else, he was my best friend, my mentor, and my hero.
-Greg Hinds
