halicki was born in a polish-american family in dunkirk, new york in 1940 and was one of thirteen children. all thirteen children were given nicknames; his was "toby". toby started to develop his fascination with cars while working in the family towing business, which was established back in 1919. his father was also a second-hand car dealer. halicki started driving at a young age and developed a wide knowledge of automobiles by the age of ten. when he was a teenager, after the loss of two of his brothers, halicki decided to move to california and live with one of his uncles.