Dillon Aistrop joins the show as another builder stepping into the Outlaw Class, bringing with him a family legacy steeped in car culture. His journey began before he could even walk—riding with his dad to pick up a ’56 Chevy as a baby. With influences from his father, grandfather, and stepdad, Dillon was destined to live and breathe the car scene.

In this episode, Dillon shares how he took over his grandfather’s local car club, offers a fresh perspective on the age-old question “What’s the car that got away?”, and dives into the Merc he’s building for the High Class Trash Invitational. We also talk about his shift from the Blue Collar Class to the Outlaw Class, and explore the highs and lows of Marketplace—how location and timing can make or break a budget.

Check out DS Paint and Fab, Dillon's Instagram, TikTok, and Peace and Grease

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Another builder for the High Class Trash Invitational - Paul Lyons, who will be entering the OG Class. Paul was introduced to the car lifestyle at a young age, helping his dad is the shop. And then Paul got himself into a career that allows him to work in shops all across the country. Getting to restore all different kinds of cars, even working on million-dollar cars! Then witnessing a rat rod build get done for less than $3,000, Paul decided it was time to get away from the shiny paint. And now for the first time, Paul is doing a build for himself and getting to attend the High Class Trash Invitational! Paul and Matt take a deep dive into the costs of entering a build off and working within its rules and regulations. Paul talks about how he learned what NOT to do in order to get a good, solid, safe-ish build. He also mentions the car he is going to be cutting up for this build off!

Don't forget Preregistration for The Hangout 2026 CLOSES December 7th! Go visit www.hotrodhangout.com to get signed up and check out the merch!

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Kicking off the High Class Trash Invitational Builder Series - Eric Wade! Eric starts with telling us the root of his car obsession starting when he was young working on old school cars in the back yard with his dad. Eric tells us all about the adventures he has had at the drag strip which opened up so many doors for him! He fills us in on how a mail truck build intended to go to Sick Week turned into an invitation to Street Outlaws: Locals Only! Eric shouts out all the amazing people that he has met along the way to help his dreams come true. Eric talks about the turning point in his life of walking through a car show and seeing the TRAIN from Village Customs! And how that started a new obsession with rat rods!

You will want to hear his words of advise! He lives by that advise everyday which has led him into the High Class Trash Invitational! Be sure to listen to the end to hear what he has in store for the build off!

Stay tuned in for upcoming episodes introducing the other builders!

Don't forget Preregistration for The Hangout 2026 CLOSES December 7th! Go visit www.hotrodhangout.com to get signed up and check out the merch!

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This one may be a shorter episode but it is one you want to listen to! Get the rundown of the guests that we have lined up and the awesome build off they are all apart of!

Plus, all the latest on The Hangout 2026: preregistration closes December 7th, so hit www.hotrodhangout.com to lock in your spot and grab some fresh merch.

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As a loyal listener, Gene Coombs finally steps behind the mic—and he doesn’t disappoint. Growing up in South Georgia, Gene was surrounded by the roar of two local dirt tracks and the hands-on legacy of his father, an Army mechanic who thought nothing of chopping up a '34 Chevy or Ford coupe when they were a dime a dozen back then.

Gene shares how his 11th birthday Hot Wheels Drag Race Kit sparked a lifelong obsession with speed. That passion carried him into the Army as a helicopter mechanic, then into a globe-trotting career in aerospace. Along the way, he chased racing dreams and scared his wife so badly she got her own car just so she didn't have to ride with him.

Matt and Gene don’t hold back as they dig into the highs, lows, and hard truths of car culture. And if you stick around to the end, Gene drops a piece of advice that’s worth the wait!

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Just the two of us this week, diving into some major updates for The Hangout 2026! From mouthwatering food vendors to the official event photographer, we’re laying out what’s in store—and trust us, it’s shaping up to be unforgettable.

Don’t forget to preregister at www.hotrodhangout.com—every preregistered guest scores a goodie bag packed with cool stuff.

Plus, to get all the details for the Miss Reto Racer Pin Up show, head over to the Facebook Event Page for all the details.

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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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