This episode runs a little longer than usual—but trust us, it’s worth every minute. We sit down with Kendra Calleja to trace her incredible path from growing up around BMX bikes and a family in the motorcycle scene, to falling in love with hot rods, rockabilly culture, and eventually meeting her husband through the car world.

Kendra shares how she launched her own upholstery shop, starting with her very first project: the interior of her beloved ’56 Ford. She opens up about the challenges of tackling her husband’s pristine white interior in “Poison Ivy,” and what it’s really like to work as a husband-and-wife team in the scene.

We dig into the joy of learning from older generations, hearing their stories, and keeping the craft alive. Plus, Kendra gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the highs and hurdles of upholstery work—and why, in the end, it’s all worth it.

Be sure to check out Kendra's work on Instagram!

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Mike Wheeler shares how his dad’s ’55 Chevy pickup and his grandpa’s revived Model A sparked a lifelong love for building. He talks about keeping a tidy shop with his mantra—“Put it away, don’t set it down”—and building His and Hers cars with his wife, who’s all in on the scene but prefers fewer sparks flying. We dive into his choice of a four-door Model A, the story behind the Hell Cab's paint job, and the snowy adventures of cruising it to car club meetups.

Visit Mike's Facebook or TikTok to see what he's up to!

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In this episode, we’re joined by Jeremiah Gardner—a creative force with a wild origin story. From swiping his mom’s nail polish to customize Hot Wheels as a kid, to studying music in college, Jeremiah’s journey took a sharp turn after one shop class lit a fire that never went out. Now an Industrial Arts teacher, he shares how that spark evolved into a full-blown obsession with building. Jeremiah also dives into the story behind his first Build-Off competition and how it inspired the creation of the High Class Trash Invitational—a celebration of craftsmanship, creativity, and community.

Stay up to date with the High Class Invitational on Facebook.

Check out what Jeremiah is working on Facebook and Instagram.

Preregistration for The Hangout 2026 at www.hotrodhangout.com.

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In this episode, Matt is joined by car enthusiast Connor Jex for a ride down memory lane. Connor shares how his dad sparked his love for car culture, the story behind his first set of wheels—a 1963 Buick Skylark—and what he'd build if budget were no object. Together, Matt and Connor dive into the evolution of motor trends, the challenges of wanting to restore a Model A, and swap stories about their favorite car shows.

Be sure to check out Connor's work on Facebook, Instagram, TicToc, and YouTube!

Preregistration for The Hangout 2026 is open on www.hotrodhangout.com!

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Just the two of us on tonight's episode, catching up on what's been going on over the last couple weeks while we have been away from social media. We cannot thank you all enough for the love and support you have shown while we took a step back to get our lives back in order! We also talk about future plans with the Caddy, Michelangelo and some upcoming car shows/events.

Don't forget pre-registration the Hangout 2026 is still open on www.hotrodhangout.com

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Quynh Mai hopped on this episode to talk about his journey of him becoming a Shop Teacher at Hernando High School and all the stops along the way. He takes us through the awesome work he gets to do by getting to work in the shop with the younger generations. He gives us all the details about the Hernando High School Automotive's Annual Car Show with a Back to the Future theme Oct 3rd from 5:30-7:00. And guess what car will be making a special appearance?!

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First and foremost, we want to thank everyone for being patient with us since we have not posted an episode in 2 weeks. We also want to thank everyone for all the support and positive messages you have sent us while we are going through some of life's challenges.

Please keep in mind, this episode was recorded a little while back so some dates or information may not be up to date.

In this episode, it is just the two of us giving updates on our fleet of cars and what the future holds for us. And a reminder preregistration for The Hangout 2026 is open on our website www.hotrodhangout.com and if you are a Pin up be sure to get all the details for the contest on the Miss Retro Racer 2026 Facebook page!

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Chance Dixon from Grim Reaper Speed Shop joined us for an episode! He told us all about his journey of his dad introducing him to a nova from Cali to working on his own cars in gravel to having a chance to be at SEMA with Battle of the Builders. He tells stories about having experiments with a blazer and a backhoe, the continental that got away and the great community he has built around himself.

Be sure to check out Chance on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

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Well, we finally got a Squatted Truck Guy on for an episode! RJ came on to tell us all about the truck that started his obsession, the lifted truck community, and bringing respectable truck shows to communities across the states. He talks about how he strives to make every show better than the last and the differences between a truck meet and a truck show.

Be sure to check out his TikTok and Instagram!

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On this episode, we sit down with the fabulous Miss Belle Blu—also known as Lauren McCowan—and her husband Richard. Together, they share the journey of bringing Lauren’s dream car to life and the empowering path she’s taken into the world of pinup culture. From nervously stepping out of her comfort zone to gracing vintage events with style, Lauren opens up about discovering confidence, community, and friendships along the way.

Check out Miss Belle Blu on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube!

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www.hotrodhangout.com