San Diego Highwayman | San Diego Automotive Museum Permanent Galleries >  The Highwayman PERMANENT GALLERY San Diego's Highwayman For five decades, Thomas Weller turned roadside fear into relief with 10,000 rescues. On Exhibit 1955 Ford Country Sedan "The Highwayman" Patrolled the San Deigo highways for fifty years Rescued 10,000 stranded motorists on San Diego highways Modified by Thomas Weller, “The Highwayman” Nickname Beulah "Assisting you has been my pleasure, I ask for no payment other than for you to pass it on the favor by helping someone in distress that you may encounter. THOMAS WELLER “The Highwayman” "Assisting you has been my pleasure, I ask for no payment other than for you to pass it on the favor by helping someone in distress that you may encounter. THOMAS WELLER “The Highwayman” Inspired by a Stranger In 1964, sixteen-year-old Thomas Weller got stuck in a snowbank, while driving in his native Illinois. After waiting several hours, he was rescued by a passerby who noticed the tire tracks. The man, who Weller credits with saving his life, refused payment for his good deed. Instead, he asked Weller to help someone in trouble. In 1966, Weller began doing just that. Since then, Thom Wheller estimates that he has helped 10,000 motorists get back on the road in the over 50 years he patrolled San Diego’s freeways in Beulah, his specially modified 1955 Station Wagon. San Diego's Highwayman In 1966, Charles Kuralt called Weller “a Highwayman to admire,” and the nickname stuck. With each spare tire, fire extinguisher, gas can, and read smile, the Highwayman has not only given help, but hope. “You don’t owe me a thing. I’ve been there too. Someone once helped me out, just the way I’m helping you. If you really want to pay me back here’s what you do: Don’t let the chain of love end.” San Diego's Highwayman In 1966, Charles Kuralt called Weller “a Highwayman to admire,” and the nickname stuck. With each spare tire, fire extinguisher, gas can, and read smile, the Highwayman has not only given help, but hope. “You don’t owe me a thing. I’ve been there too. Someone once helped me out, just the way I’m helping you. If you really want to pay me back here’s what you do: Don’t let the chain of love end.” Saving Motorists and Families "I often did not go out with a plan at all, but I got directed by a higher power to where the was someone who needed me," said Tom. He once told a stranded family to get out of their car and stand behind a guardrail. Minutes later a drunk driver plowed into their vehicle. "They were hugging me and kissing me because they were alive and they would not have been if they were sitting in their car," said Tom. He saved their lives. A whole family. “It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that we cannot sincerely help another without helping ourselves.” THOMAS WELLER “The Highwayman” Come see Tom Weller's 1955 Country Sedan in-person at the San Diego Automotive Museum! GET TICKETS NOW BACK TO PERMANENT GALLERIES Visit Explore ← Back Exhibits Collections Galleries Experiences Events ← Back Calendar Cruis’n Fore Drivers Golf Tournament The Party in the Park Venue Rental Education ← Back School Programs Camps IGNITE Academy Donate Store GET TICKETS Visit Explore ← Back Exhibits Collections Galleries Experiences Events ← Back Calendar Cruis’n Fore Drivers Golf Tournament The Party in the Park Venue Rental Education ← Back School Programs Camps IGNITE Academy Donate Store GET TICKETS Visit Explore ← Back Exhibits Collections Galleries Experiences Events ← Back Calendar Cruis’n Fore Drivers Golf Tournament The Party in the Park Venue Rental Education ← Back School Programs Camps IGNITE Academy Donate Store GET TICKETS