Hotrod Hangout

Born into the GM world through his family’s dealership, Leonard Boschman grew up with gasoline in his veins and a front‑row seat to the kind of cars that spark lifelong obsession. In this episode, he shares the story of the very first car he ever bought, the small‑town Canadian life he still calls home, and the surprising cost differences he and Matt compare between Canada and the U.S.

Leonard opens up about the ’71 Chevelle that slipped through his fingers, the moment he fell headfirst into rat rod culture, and the ever‑changing lineup of favorites in his fleet—each one chosen depending on the kind of day he wants to have. From past builds that earned trophies and long‑haul “Furthest Driven” awards to the Chevy truck he’s crafting for the High Class Trash Invitational, Leonard’s approach is simple: build something he’s never seen before, and build it in a way that brings joy not just to himself, but to everyone who sees it.

This episode is a celebration of creativity, community, and the kind of builder who keeps hot‑rodding alive by doing it his own way.

Keep up with his build on Facebook and Instagram!

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This episode brings Josh Krager of Eye Spy Designs into the studio for a deep dive into the decade-long rabbit hole that pulled him into the rat rod world. Josh traces it all back to one motorcycle—the machine that lit the fuse and set off an obsession that’s still burning strong. From there, he talks about the dream build that’s lived in his head for years: crafting a motorcycle made entirely from non‑motorcycle parts, a true testament to creativity over convention.

Josh breaks down the best build to ever roll out of his shop, then takes us inside his long‑game project for the High Class Trash Invitational—years of collecting parts, the history baked into the body, and the future he sees for it once it finally hits the pavement.

We get into the road trip that left a lasting impression: a run to the Lone Star Round Up that ended with Josh unexpectedly taking home Best in Show at a bike event. From there, the conversation shifts to the art of staying different—how he and Matt push themselves to avoid repetition, keep ideas fresh, and build rides that stand apart in a crowded scene.

They talk through the emotional rollercoaster of finishing a build, the all‑important “shake down” phase, and why having the right people in your corner—your hype crew, your believers—can make or break the journey. Josh also shares the origin story of Eye Spy Designs, a name and brand born from grit, vision, and a whole lot of late nights in the shop.

This episode is all heart, hustle, and the kind of storytelling that keeps hot‑rodding alive.

Check out what Josh is working on Facebook and Instagram!

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Alan Placer of ML Toys joins the show to share a story rooted in family, curiosity, and a lifelong love of anything with wheels. Growing up in New Jersey, Alan was surrounded by machines and creativity—his dad owned a gas station and seemed to bring home a different car every night, always tinkering and teaching by example. Add in a family‑run hobby shop, and Alan found himself immersed in RC cars and hands‑on building from an early age. That mix of influence eventually sparked the idea that would become ML Toys.

In this episode, Alan walks through how ML Toys began and how it grew into a company that lets kids and their parents transform ordinary Power Wheels into full‑blown mini dragsters. He breaks down how the upgrades work, what it really costs to build a souped‑up Power Wheel, and even highlights events where these tiny dragsters line up and race. Alan also shares personal stories from his own automotive journey—from his first car, to the meaningful vehicle he bought after 9/11, to what’s currently in his fleet—painting a picture of someone who never lost the spark that started it all.

Check out MLToys of Facebook and their Website! AND use 'HOTROD HANGOUT' at checkout for 10% off!

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Nicholas Wall and his wife join Matt for a wild, high‑energy dive into a life built around horsepower, hustle, and a whole lot of heart. Nicholas grew up in the car scene, watching his dad tear it up in Pro Supercross and wrenching on anything he could get his hands on. His first engine swap? Done in his mom’s gravel driveway. That grit turned into a full‑blown career under the hood.

He shares why his favorite ride in the fleet is the infamous Rustang, and what it means to compete in the Outlaw Class for the High Class Trash Invitational. Nicholas teases some of his build‑off plans—just enough to get you hooked, but still keeping a few secrets close to the chest.

Matt and Nicholas swap Facebook Marketplace war stories, talk about introducing his wife to the car world, and look ahead at the killer builds coming out of this build off. And if you think Nicholas takes it easy, wait until you hear about the build‑off that ended with a blown transmission, a split face, zero sleep, and still making it to the event.

This one’s packed with passion, chaos, and the kind of dedication only true builders understand.

Check out his build on Facebook and Instagram!

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In this episode, Levi Harrill joins Matt in the studio for a conversation that blends nostalgia, craftsmanship, and the pure joy of keeping hot‑rodding alive. Levi shares how his grandpa first pulled him into the car scene—starting with those 99‑cent Hot Wheels that sparked a lifelong obsession.

He talks about his soft spot for pre‑war iron from the teens, 20s, and 30s, the truck that slipped through his fingers, and what he brought to the Rat Stock Build Off. Levi also breaks down the lineup of cars he had to choose from for the High Class Trash Invitational and the inspiration behind the vision he ultimately chased.

Matt and Levi dig into how different generations approach their builds, the trial‑and‑error process of figuring out what works (and what definitely doesn’t), and the emotional payoff of hitting that magical “running and driving” moment. They also shine a light on the car community—how inclusive, down‑to‑earth, and genuinely supportive it can be when people come together simply to enjoy their builds.

And yes… they even talk about a town so small it has a dealership that sells both Ford and Chevy under one roof.

This one’s all about passion, people, and keeping the culture alive.

Check out his Instagram and Torque Alley Garage on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!

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In this episode, it’s just Matt and Ashley catching up and diving deep into what’s been happening behind the scenes. The Caddy is officially not in Florida anymore, and they break down everything that’s been done to it so far — the progress, the headaches, and the plans that are starting to take shape for the build.

They also open up about what’s ahead for the rest of this year and next, sharing some of the goals, events, and ideas they’re excited to chase. Matt brings the conversation home with some insight on supporting the car community. And before the episode wraps, they give a little sneak peek at what’s coming up next on the show.

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This episode brings a true family legacy into the spotlight as father‑and‑son team Jason and Cody Knight join us to talk about their journey into the High Class Trash Invitational. Jason grew up wrenching alongside his dad, learning the ropes on an old Dodge Power Wagon. Now he’s passing that same passion down to his son Cody as they tackle a ’53 Chevy 5‑window pickup together.

They’re competing in the Newbie Class, sticking to the budget, getting creative, and building the truck that will eventually become Cody’s very first ride. It’s a project fueled by family pride, late‑night problem‑solving, and the excitement of watching a young builder find his place in the culture.

We dig into how car scenes differ across the country, the loss of shop classes in schools, and why the automotive community still shows up for each other—especially in build‑offs like this one. Jason and Cody talk about their idols, including legends like Don Garlits, and we get into the eternal debate: chasing horsepower vs. keeping the motor alive. And of course, we touch on the good, the bad, and the downright stubborn realities of owning a diesel.

It’s a conversation about heritage, hard work, and the next generation keeping the culture alive.

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This week, Matt sits down with Simon Havican from Simon Says Garage, a builder born into the car world and raised on grit, determination, and the sound of engines his dad kept running against all odds. With the full support of his wife and daughter—who never miss a chance to ride shotgun—Simon shares the story behind his ’41 Chevy Special Duty, a long-waiting gem now getting its moment in the High Class Trash Invitational Build Off.

Representing the Blue Collar Class, Simon dives into his vision for the build, the moment he picked up the old Chevy, and the inspiration he draws from the community around him. He and Matt talk about the camaraderie behind the build-offs, the creative sparks that fuel each project, and the real-life struggles that come with turning rust into glory.

Simon’s philosophy? “Build ’em to drive ’em.” And his advice for fellow builders—well, you’ll want to hear that for yourself.

Stay up to date on Simon's builds: Instagram, YouTube, TikTok

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This week, Matt sits down with Adam, the creator behind Marek Makes — a self‑taught builder from Pennsylvania whose love for cars started long before he ever touched a welder. From matchbox cars and RC rigs to buying his first mechanic’s tool set from Sears, Adam carved his own path into the automotive world one small obsession at a time.

He shares his experience competing in the Rat Stock Build Off, how he learned countless skills just by watching other builders on YouTube, and why he still feels like he belongs in the “Newbie Class” even though he’s already got real builds under his belt. Adam opens up about the reality of rat rod fabrication — fix one thing, and suddenly four more problems show up — and how every part on a rat rod either serves a purpose or has been repurposed with intention.

One of the highlights of his story is the community. When he arrived at the Rat Stock Show and announced he needed help, more than ten people showed up with tools, supplies, and hands ready to work. That moment cemented what he already felt: the rat rod world is built on generosity, grit, and shared passion.

Adam also talks about keeping car culture alive for the next generation. His High Class Trash Invitational build isn’t just a competition entry — it’s destined to become his son’s first car when the time comes. For him, the real reward isn’t trophies or titles. It’s making it to the show, meeting the people, and building something that will outlive the moment.

This is an episode for anyone who loves the craft, the chaos, and the community that makes rat rods more than metal.

Check out the progress he has made on the build on YouTube!

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This episode brings Minnesota’s own Jake Weaver on for an episode—a builder with deep roots, a wild sense of humor, and an awesome ’68 Dodge D200. Jake shares how his grandpa, a die‑hard MOPAR man, pulled him into the car scene and shaped the way he approaches every project today.

He walks through the long list of vehicles he’s bought, sold, flipped, and let go over the years, and how that journey eventually pushed him away from “shiny paint” perfection and straight into the raw, rebellious world of rat rods. And trust us—you need to hear the story behind the hood ornament featuring a little dude with a bottle of Jack Daniels!

Jake also breaks down how he landed a spot in the High Class Trash Invitational, what he’s tackled so far on his D200 build, and the unexpected adventures that have come with it. From honoring his grandpa to involving memorabilia from his local community, this build is more than metal—it’s memory, identity, and pride.

As he puts it, he can’t wait for the moment he turns that key for the first time and feels like that 16‑year‑old kid with his first car all over again.

This is one you don’t want to miss.

Check out his progress on Facebook.

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www.hotrodhangout.com