Our Story: Beauty in the build

We’re Troubled Hot Rods, and we’re pushing back against the plague of instant gratification. In a world where everything is polished and disposable, we stand for the honest hustle—the raw, tangible process of creation.

​Hot rodding, custom fabrication, and true craftsmanship are dying arts, often drowned out by endless budgets and the pursuit of sterile perfection. We fundamentally reject that. Our ethos is rooted in the philosophies of Wabi-Sabi and Kintsugi: we celebrate the beautiful imperfections, the hard-won patina, the scars to prove it, and the stories etched into every busted knuckle and wrench turn. We prove that building something to be proud of doesn't require a fortune; it requires patience, confidence, and the belief that you can start with nothing and create something incredible.

​Whether we're deep in the garage fabricating a custom art piece, laying down paint, or hitting the asphalt in one of our race cars, our mission is the same: to inspire you to use your hands. We show the real side of the journey—the trials, the errors, and the ultimate exhilaration of learning.

​Wear the art, embrace the journey, and join the movement. Nothing worthwhile happens overnight. Let's build something real together.