Roadkill Nights And The Curious Case Of The Stolen Ram

Caecey Killian August 18, 2025 2 min read 0

5

Stellantis truck brand Ram is back in the spotlight, not only for reintroducing the Hemi V8 to the Ram 1500 lineup, but also for a bizarre incident involving a mechanical bull prop called the “Bucking HEMI.” The story of the stolen Ram has made headlines, stirred plenty of laughs, and even triggered skepticism from law enforcement.

Theft Story Raises Eyebrows

The prop, a mechanical bull styled to look like a V8 engine with a ram’s head, debuted at the Roadkill Nights event in Pontiac, Michigan. The event was packed with big Stellantis news, including Dodge unveiling the ICE-powered Charger SIXPACK and confirming that the Durango would continue with a V8-only lineup.

But by Saturday night, Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis claimed the “Bucking HEMI” was gone. He issued a colorful statement about the stolen Ram: “This is bull****. Our Bucking HEMI was taken on Saturday evening. The search is officially on, and we won’t stop searching until we get him back.” The dramatic announcement turned the missing prop into an instant talking point, amplifying attention toward the brand’s renewed commitment to V8 power.

Found? Or Never Lost?

On Thursday, Ram updated the public, saying the Bucking HEMI had been “found.” The official explanation? A show contractor mistakenly hauled it away after the event and only realized the error after media reports spread the word. According to Stellantis, it was simply a misunderstanding.

Not everyone is buying the stolen Ram story. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard suggested the theft may have been fabricated altogether. “The company never actually lost the bull,” Bouchard said. “I find this to be very frustrating and a tremendous waste of valuable investigative time.” His department concluded there was no theft, raising questions about whether the whole ordeal was a carefully crafted publicity stunt.

Publicity Stunt or Honest Mistake?

Whether intentional or not, the Bucking stolen Ram HEMI saga did exactly what marketing teams dream of: it got people talking. The timing lined up with Ram’s announcement that the Hemi V8 is back in the Ram 1500, reinforcing a message that resonates with truck buyers who crave traditional American muscle.

So, was it a brilliant PR move or just a case of sloppy logistics? Either way, Ram grabbed headlines and the return of the Hemi V8 isn’t something many fans will soon forget.

AboutCaecey Killian

Caecey Killian covers builds, installs, and product features for Car Junkie Magazine. He has spent years on the floor of the garage chasing horsepower across SBC, LS, and modern muscle platforms, and that shop time runs through every article he writes. His current CJM project is Project Street Reaper, a 1976 Camaro built around a fresh SBC 350. He is also known for Project Mighty Mouse, a 1977 Chevy Nova running a 1962 small-journal 327 SBC, with build coverage published across multiple online automotive magazines. His media background spans long-form build documentation, install coverage, and product features across the magazine and the Car Junkie Magazine YouTube channel. He writes the way he wrenches: specific, honest about the mistakes, and grounded in real garage work.