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Junkyard Empire followed a real automotive operation in Damascus, Maryland, where salvage-yard work and ambitious custom projects shared the same business. Its central relationship was between Andy Cohen and his father, Bobby, whose contrasting approaches to risk and spending supplied much of the show’s tension.
Here are 20 documented facts about the series, its unusual builds, and the businesses behind it. The available episode listings document a run from 2015 through 2019; they do not establish a later season or a definitive cancellation announcement.
The business and family behind the show
- It was filmed at a real Maryland business. The series was filmed at Damascus Motors, not a purpose-built TV set.
- Andy Cohen and Bobby Cohen were the central pair. Listings and contemporary coverage identify Andy and his father Bobby as the show’s main family and business relationship.
- They took different approaches to risk. Andy was portrayed as the ambitious successor, while Bobby favored controlled spending and customer satisfaction.
- Their arguments drew on real family banter. Andy told Washingtonian that the father-son friction was not simply invented for television. The show was still edited reality TV, so this does not establish that every exchange was spontaneous.
- The idea began with campfire stories. Half Yard Productions executive producer Sean Gallagher reportedly met Andy at an Indian Princess campout, heard his stories, and suggested a television show.
- It took years to get on the air. Gallagher’s production company reportedly spent several years developing the concept and pitching pilot episodes.
- The series debuted on Velocity. The Discovery division’s first season premiered in April 2015.
- The setting brought two kinds of work together. Episodes could move between salvage and recycling activity and custom automotive projects at Damascus Motors.
- The first episode was called “Method to the Mad-ness.” Its premise paired a busy yard with ambitious projects that could affect the business’s reputation.
Unusual builds and business ideas
- DC Brau got a rolling taproom truck. The vehicle was unveiled at the Made in DC Marketplace in November 2014.
- Roy Rogers was interested in a branded vehicle. Washingtonian reported that the restaurant chain contacted Cohen about a possible build after the DC Brau project.
- The show featured an ice-cream-truck PT Cruiser. Damascus Motors’ listing describes panel-style side doors, a 12-volt electric freezer, roof fins, an ice-cream decal, exterior access, and an amplifier for outside speakers and music.
- The PT Cruiser was marketed for events. The business listing described it as suitable for parties and special events and gave an asking price of $4,500 at the time. That is a historical listing price, not a current valuation.
- One episode featured a paintball tank. “You Say Trash, I Say Tank,” listed as Season 2, Episode 2, paired the build with a wager involving a pickup truck.
- Andy’s Hot Wheels interest became a full-size project. In “Hot Wheelin’ and Dealin’,” he was asked to build a life-size version of a Hot Wheels design by Larry Wood.
- Golf carts were considered as a business opportunity. In “Never Easy,” Andy explored selling modified carts to Bobby’s friends, but the episode synopsis says the kit was more difficult than expected.
- The shop sometimes took on more than it could comfortably handle. “Build a Jeep, Crush a Car” describes Andy accepting excess work and relying on the crew’s junkyard ingenuity to deal with the resulting problems.
Cast, format, and television history
- The Cohens were not the only recurring participants. Available cast listings identify Danny Bowie as yard manager, Tim Jumbelick as general manager, and Tommy Bostic and Thomas Strait as recurring participants. These listings do not establish the current staff roster.
- Episodes ran about 43 minutes. Episode listings commonly give an approximate 43-minute runtime and ratings of TV-PG or TV-14, depending on the episode.
- The documented run reached 2019. Listings identify five seasons and 54 episodes. Season 5 entries include “Yukon Do It!” (November 26, 2019), “Mud, Floors and Fire” (December 3, 2019), and “Mothertrucker” (December 10, 2019).
Damascus Motors today
The current Damascus Motors website advertises a family-owned automotive complex in Damascus, Maryland, offering repairs, engine and transmission work, electrical diagnosis, brake and exhaust repairs, tires, batteries, custom builds, classic-car care, and hot-rod storage. It lists the address as 26100 Woodfield Road, Damascus, Maryland 20872.
The site also advertises Hot Rod Alley, a 63,000-square-foot climate-controlled facility with security, fire suppression, maintenance, detailing, storage plans, and on-site technicians specializing in hot rods and classic cars. These are current website claims; they do not prove that every TV-era business division or staff role continues unchanged.
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FAQ
Who are the main people in Junkyard Empire?
The central family pairing is Andy Cohen and his father, Bobby Cohen. The show also featured recurring operational staff, including yard manager Danny Bowie and general manager Tim Jumbelick, according to available cast listings.
Where was Junkyard Empire filmed?
The series was filmed at Damascus Motors, a real automotive business in Damascus, Maryland.
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When did Junkyard Empire air?
The first season premiered on Velocity in April 2015. Available listings document five seasons and 54 episodes, with Season 5 episodes released through December 2019. The dossier does not establish a definitive cancellation announcement or a later season.
What were some of the show’s unusual builds?
Documented projects include a rolling taproom truck for DC Brau, an event-ready ice-cream-truck conversion based on a PT Cruiser, a paintball tank, a full-size Hot Wheels-inspired vehicle, and modified golf carts.
Rank #3
- Step-by-step procedures written from a complete teardown and rebuild, giving you the confidence to tackle repairs at any skill level.
- Over 700+ clear photos and diagrams that simplify complex systems, helping you complete jobs faster and with fewer mistakes.
- Comprehensive troubleshooting and fault-finding guides to quickly diagnose problems and reduce costly downtime.
Are the builds independently verified as roadworthy?
The available research does not independently verify the mechanical quality or roadworthiness of every featured build. The show’s presence at a real business is not, by itself, proof that each vehicle was tested or met a particular standard.
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