Jason Engel of Trick Rides

“Resto mods” (restomod) are classic cars that have been restored but also updated with modern parts and technology. The goal is usually to keep the original look while improving drivability, reliability, and performance with newer engineering.

Carbon fiber is a lightweight composite material made from carbon strands woven into a strong sheet. In custom car builds, it’s often used for body panels or trim to reduce weight and create a distinctive look compared with traditional steel or fiberglass.

Trick Rides is the custom-shop brand Jason Engel runs, focused on building classic muscle cars. The episode frames them as a shop that applies modern techniques to older platforms.

Route 66 is a famous U.S. highway that became strongly associated with car culture, road trips, and classic vehicles. In enthusiast conversations, it often comes up as a corridor where people seek out vintage cars and related events.

The “muscle car era” refers to the period when American automakers built relatively affordable cars focused on big engines and straight-line speed. Enthusiasts often associate it with V8 power, aggressive styling, and a culture of drag-style driving.

A burnout is when a driver spins the tires while the car is stationary or moving very slowly, usually to heat the tires or to show off. In muscle-car culture, it’s also a common visual sign of aggressive, straight-line driving.

“Muscle cars” refers to American performance cars that were built for strong straight-line acceleration, especially popular in the 1960s–1970s. In this context, the host is saying they were drawn to the kinds of cars their father sold on the front line for sale.

Low riders are cars (often customized) that are designed to sit very low and are frequently modified for show and style. The guest connects this scene to their move to Las Vegas and how it pulled them deeper into car culture.

“Ampies” here appears to refer to aftermarket wheels and/or wheel setups that are part of the low-rider/mini-truck look. The transcript is likely using slang, so the exact product meaning isn’t fully clear from this excerpt alone.

“Slammed down” is slang for lowering a vehicle’s ride height so it sits very close to the ground, usually via suspension changes. In the transcript, it’s used to describe how Beetles (and other cars) were styled in that scene.

The Volkswagen Beetle is a compact, air-cooled-era classic known for its distinctive rounded shape and long production history. The podcast references Beetles being “slammed down,” which usually means lowered suspension for a show stance. It’s discussed because it represents how even non-traditional performance cars can be customized for appearance and fitment.

SEMA stands for the Specialty Equipment Market Association, and it’s best known for the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas. It’s a major event where aftermarket companies and builders showcase custom parts, trucks, and performance upgrades.

SolidWorks is a computer-aided design (CAD) software used to create precise 3D models of parts. In the segment, it’s used to design components like a fender or spoiler before manufacturing.

A six-axis machine is a multi-axis CNC machining setup that can move a tool in six directions, allowing complex shapes to be cut or milled accurately. The segment describes using it to manufacture a part “for a plug,” meaning a tooling master used to create other components.

In vehicle design and bodywork, asymmetrical means the shape or styling elements aren’t mirrored left-to-right. It often requires more complex tooling and fabrication because the parts and surfaces must be engineered to fit correctly on each side.

A composite material combines two or more materials to get better overall properties than either one alone. In car fabrication, composites like fiberglass and carbon fiber are used for body panels and structural parts because they can be tuned for strength, stiffness, and weight.

Fiberglass is a composite material made from glass fibers held together by resin. It has been popular for decades in custom bodywork because it’s relatively accessible, but carbon fiber often offers better stiffness-to-weight and performance potential.

In composite manufacturing, plugs are master shapes used to create the mold interior geometry, and molds are the forms used to lay up and cure composite parts. The speaker is describing why development costs are high: you need tooling before you can reliably produce carbon parts.

“Votech” refers to vocational technical education—training programs that teach hands-on skills for trades and manufacturing. In this context, the speaker credits vocational training for learning fabrication and tooling workflows used in building composite parts.

Waterjet cutting uses a high-pressure stream of water (sometimes with abrasive) to cut materials with minimal heat. It’s useful in fabrication shops for accurately cutting composites, metals, and tooling materials without warping from thermal stress.

The Pontiac Fiero is a mid-engine sports car from Pontiac that became popular as an affordable platform for customization. In this segment, the host mentions doing custom paint/flame work on a Fiero, highlighting how common it was as a project car in school programs.

Horsepower is a measure of engine power—how much work the engine can do over time. When someone says a car has “180 horsepower,” they’re talking about the engine’s output capability, which strongly influences acceleration and overall performance feel.

The Ford Mustang GT is the performance-focused trim of the Mustang, typically emphasizing a stronger engine and sportier tuning than the base models. Here it’s grouped with the Pontiac Fiero as one of the “cars” people wanted in that era.

The Chevrolet Camaro is an iconic American muscle car, and the “69 Camaro” refers to the 1969 model year. In this segment, it’s mentioned as another platform being built or customized with extensive carbon-fiber components.

A matte finish is a low-gloss paint or coating that doesn’t reflect light like standard glossy paint. It can look great in person, but it often photographs poorly because the surface doesn’t “pop” under camera lighting the way gloss does.

A wrap is a vinyl film applied over a car’s paint to change its color or appearance. People often assume a matte or unusual look is a wrap, because wraps can mimic finishes without repainting.

Mopar is the enthusiast nickname for Chrysler’s performance and parts ecosystem, covering brands like Dodge and Plymouth (and their heritage). In this segment, asking “Have you ever been a Mopar guy” sets up a discussion about whether the speaker prefers that American muscle lineage.

The Plymouth Cuda is a legendary muscle car from the early 1970s era, especially known for its bold styling and performance reputation. The podcast mentions buying a 1970 Cuda, chopping the top, and doing custom bodywork, which points to a restomod-style transformation. It’s discussed because the Cuda is a highly sought-after base for dramatic custom builds.

A commission build is a custom car project made to a customer’s order, rather than a car built to be sold off the shelf. The speaker says most of their work is commissioned, meaning clients typically request and fund the build.

Roadster Shop is the company supplying the chassis platform for these builds. A chassis is the vehicle’s structural foundation, and using a known aftermarket chassis is a common way to enable custom powertrains and fitment.

“Coyote” refers to Ford’s modern V8 engine family (commonly the 5.0L “Coyote” used in Mustangs). In this context, the host is emphasizing a high-performance, multi-valve V8 that’s being boosted with a supercharger.

A supercharger is a forced-induction device that increases engine power by pushing more air into the cylinders. More air (and fuel) generally means more combustion and higher output than the same engine without boost.

The Tremec T56 is a manual transmission model known for handling high torque in performance cars. Pairing a T56 with a boosted V8 is a common enthusiast recipe for a more driver-focused, gear-driven feel.

A hemispherical head refers to a cylinder head shape where the combustion chamber is “hemisphere-like,” typically allowing better airflow around the valves. That geometry can improve breathing at higher engine speeds, which helps performance. It’s a key part of why some engines are described as having “hemi” designs.

A spoiler is an aerodynamic device mounted on the car’s body (often the trunk or rear deck) to influence airflow. Depending on shape and placement, it can reduce lift and increase downforce, improving stability. In custom styling, it’s also used to visually tie together the car’s aero package.

A front splitter is an aerodynamic panel mounted at the front of the car, usually low to the ground. Its job is to manage airflow under and around the vehicle, often helping generate downforce and stability at speed. In custom builds, it’s also a major visual element that signals a track-focused design.

A rear diffuser is an aerodynamic section under the back of the car that expands the airflow as it exits. This shape can help create downforce by improving how air moves under the vehicle. It’s a common feature on performance cars and custom aero kits because it directly affects underbody aerodynamics.

CAD (Computer-Aided Design) is software used to create and refine designs digitally. In automotive customization, CAD helps designers model aero parts like splitters and diffusers, check fitment, and iterate shapes before fabrication. The host is emphasizing how difficult it was to make the aero “flow” in CAD.

A wide body is a bodywork modification that widens the fenders and often the track width appearance. It’s commonly done to fit wider tires and improve stance, while also changing airflow around the front and rear.

A front air dam is the low front panel that sits near the ground to manage airflow under and around the car. By reducing underbody turbulence and directing air, it can improve aerodynamic stability at speed.

A rear scoop is an aerodynamic opening or intake feature placed toward the rear of the bodywork. The question “is that functional?” implies it may be intended to move air for cooling or pressure management rather than being purely cosmetic.

Brake cooling is airflow or ducting designed to reduce brake temperatures during hard use. In this build, the ducting is angled to “ram air” into the brake area so more air is forced through the brake region while driving.

Ram air is pressurized airflow created by vehicle motion, where ducts capture oncoming air and force it into a specific area. Here, it’s used to push more cooling air into the brake area for better heat control.

A cam tail is a rear deck-lid/roofline styling feature where the body shape “kicks up” or changes angle toward the back, creating a distinctive silhouette. In custom bodywork, it’s used to make the car look more aggressive while still fitting the overall proportions.

A chassis is the vehicle’s structural foundation that supports the suspension, steering, drivetrain mounting points, and body. In a custom build, choosing and positioning the chassis is critical because it determines wheel location, alignment geometry, and how the body will sit.

Thrust angle is the difference between the direction the car is actually traveling and the direction the front wheels are pointed (or the vehicle’s intended path). It’s used in chassis and suspension setup to predict how the car will track and how stable it will feel under driving loads.

An “iteration” is one complete cycle of designing, reviewing, and revising a concept—often multiple times to converge on the final look. The speaker mentions doing many iterations/styling studies, emphasizing how much trial-and-error goes into getting proportions and styling right.

AutoMeter is an aftermarket gauge brand that makes instrument clusters and individual gauges for enthusiasts. In the episode, they’re used for the carbon gauge that displays the Trick Rides setup’s information.

A carbon gauge refers to a gauge design that uses carbon-fiber styling or materials for the housing/face. It’s mostly about appearance and branding, but it’s also a common enthusiast look for custom interiors.

TMI is an aftermarket seat manufacturer known for performance and custom seating solutions. Here, the host says they used TMI’s new seat, originally intended for a side-by-side, and adapted it for a Mustang.

Bolster refers to the raised, padded sections on a seat’s sides that hold you in place during cornering. The host is saying the seat has plenty of bolster for a “racy” feel, but is designed to be comfortable over time.

A shifter is the mechanism used to select gears in a manual (or sometimes sequential) transmission. The host specifically likes the feel of the shifter and calls it “old school,” including the choice of a white shift knob.

A shift knob is the removable top piece on a manual shifter that you grip to move the lever. Different shapes and materials can change the feel, leverage, and visual style of the shifter.

“Independent front” means each front wheel can move up and down separately, improving ride quality and grip over bumps. “Rack and pinion steering” uses a gear rack connected to the steering wheel to provide direct, predictable steering response.

A “solid axle rear” means the rear wheels are connected by a single rigid axle, so movement on one side affects the other. Compared with independent rear suspension, it can feel more connected and durable, but it may ride differently and can be less compliant over uneven surfaces.

Fox Coilovers are aftermarket suspension units that combine a shock absorber with a threaded spring perch so ride height and damping can be tuned. Using coilovers is a common way to modernize an older car’s handling while keeping the stance and ride quality more controllable than with generic replacement shocks and springs.

“Six piston” brakes refers to a multi-piston brake caliper design, which can provide stronger clamping force and better brake feel than simpler single- or dual-piston setups. The speaker also mentions “bear brakes,” indicating a specific brake brand used in these builds.

“Bear carbon” refers to a carbon-fiber weave pattern that resembles a bear-like or irregular “wild” texture. In practice, it’s a custom visual finish where the fabric pattern is oriented and aligned so the weave looks consistent across panels.

“Carbon car” refers to a vehicle that uses carbon fiber extensively, usually for body panels and/or structural components. Carbon fiber is valued for being very strong while also being lightweight, which can improve performance and efficiency.

Drip rails are the trim pieces along the edge of a car’s roof that help channel water away from the windows. Shaving them is a common custom-body modification to create a cleaner, more integrated exterior shape.

The cowl is the body area at the base of the windshield, between the hood and the roof. Filling in the cowl is a bodywork step that smooths out that transition for a more custom, streamlined look.

Suspension is the system of components that connects the wheels to the car’s body and controls ride quality and handling. In this segment, they emphasize that the suspension is the key reason the chassis swap/build works well.

Blueprinting is the process of assembling an engine to very tight tolerances and verifying key dimensions so it matches a target specification. A crate engine is a complete, ready-to-install engine sold as a package, and “blueprinted” crate engines aim for consistency and performance.

LT4 is an engine designation used by General Motors for a supercharged V8. In this segment, the hosts say the “LT4s” are hard to get, so they removed it from the options/menu—implying availability constraints for that specific powertrain.

Rally stripes are bold, contrasting stripes applied to the hood and/or body to evoke motorsport styling. In this segment, they’re specifically paired with visible carbon-fiber surfaces, making the stripes part of the overall design rather than just a painted accent.

Candy paint is a layered coating system where a translucent “candy” color is sprayed over a metallic base (often silver). Because the candy is semi-transparent, the color you see changes with lighting and the metallic underneath.

A midcoat is a layer applied between the base/metallic layer and the final top color. In multi-layer finishes, it helps control depth, color intensity, and how the final candy color reads across the body.

A gradient finish intentionally varies color or brightness across the surface rather than keeping it uniform. Here, the gradient flows over the body lines to make certain shapes stand out as the light moves.

Iridescent describes a finish that appears to shift color depending on the viewing angle and lighting. Candy paint over metallic bases can create this “lights up” effect when sunlight hits the silver underlayer.

Ring Brothers is an aftermarket brand known for high-end exterior hardware used on custom builds—things like hinges and door handles. In this episode, they’re mentioned as supplying parts for the cars Trick Rides works on.

Forge Line is a wheel brand that produces performance-oriented aftermarket wheels. The host highlights them as the preferred wheel choice and notes their build quality and construction details.

A three-piece wheel is built from three separate components—typically a center section plus separate inner and outer rims—that are assembled together. This construction can allow more customization of fitment and wheel width, and it’s commonly used on higher-end wheels.

“Offset” is how far a wheel’s mounting surface sits inboard or outboard relative to the wheel’s centerline. “Custom offsets” means choosing a specific offset to control wheel fitment—how far the wheel sits in the fender, and how it affects clearance to suspension and brakes.

A “wheel and tire combo” is the matched setup of a specific wheel size/width and a specific tire size. Changing either one affects fitment, ride quality, steering feel, and how the car’s stance looks.

In this context, “digitally” refers to using fitment/visualization tools to preview wheel choices before buying. That can speed up selection by simulating how different wheels will look and fit on the car.

“Flush” glass means the windshield and rear glass are installed so their outer surface sits nearly even with the surrounding body panels. That requires careful measurement and fabrication so the glass opening and mold match the car’s body contours, improving the look and reducing visual gaps.

UV refers to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight. In automotive glass, UV protection helps reduce fading and interior damage and can improve comfort by blocking harmful rays.

Wilkington glass is named as the supplier/brand of glass used on the builder’s cars. The host frames it as a high-end, modern glass product compared with what would have been available “back in the day.”

A defrost is a heating function (usually electric) that clears condensation or frost from glass. The speaker says they chose not to add electronics like defrost to keep the build simple.

“Keep it stupid simple” is a builder philosophy: minimize complexity so the car is easier to live with and less likely to create problems later. In this context, it’s applied to avoiding extra electronics in the glass and other systems.

“Alpine” here refers to Alpine Electronics, a brand known for in-car audio systems and related electronics. When someone says they use Alpine technology in their cars, they’re usually talking about the audio head unit/speakers and integration details that affect sound quality.

USB is a common connection standard used for data and media playback in modern car audio and infotainment systems. In this context, it’s part of how the system connects to phones or media devices.

Bluetooth is a wireless connection used to pair a phone with a car’s audio or infotainment system. It enables hands-free calling and streaming audio without plugging in a cable.

Holley Sniper 2 injection is an aftermarket fuel-injection system that replaces carburetors with electronically controlled fuel delivery. It’s designed to make tuning and drivability easier while still supporting classic engine builds.

“Engine closeouts” are custom body/trim panels used to cover and finish the engine bay area. In show-car builds, they help create a clean, finished look while still allowing the engine hardware to be displayed selectively.

Headers are exhaust manifolds that route exhaust gases from each cylinder into the exhaust system more directly than a stock manifold. Stainless headers are made from corrosion-resistant stainless steel, which helps them keep their appearance and resist rust.

In this context, “Shelby” refers to working directly with the Shelby organization/brand to develop the GT350TR. That implies the build is coordinated with the marque’s design and engineering direction rather than being purely independent.

A hood scoop is an opening on the hood that directs airflow into the engine bay. In this case, the host describes it as engine-compartment ventilation: air is guided by the scoop to help cool or manage airflow around the engine components.

Engine-compartment ventilation is the system of moving air through the engine bay to remove heat and manage pressure. The transcript describes a flow path where wind from the windshield is directed into an inverted (reverse) scoop to feed that ventilation.

CS8 appears to be a model/trim designation used by Shelby for a specific car configuration. In the transcript, it’s used to explain where the hood feature naming or design inspiration came from (CS6 and CS8 being related builds).

The Shelby GT350 is a performance-focused Mustang variant from Shelby American, known for its distinctive bodywork and track-oriented styling. In this segment, the host is describing the GT350’s hood shape—specifically how the hood panel rises and transitions into a vented section.

A hood vent is an opening in the hood designed to manage airflow—often to help with engine cooling or to relieve pressure. Here, the host describes a vent integrated into the hood’s shape, with clean cut lines and smooth outward flow.

The Dodge Viper is a high-performance American sports car known for its aggressive styling cues, including side-exit exhaust and dramatic front-end proportions. The host compares the side pipes on the discussed build to the Viper’s look—how the pipes “float in” at the front and then flare outward.

Fender flares are body panels that extend outward over the wheel opening. On a car like the GT350, they’re often used to clear and visually accommodate wider wheels and tires.

The Ford Mustang is the original pony car platform that many Shelby-branded builds start from. Here, the key point is that the licensed Shelby-style vehicle begins life as an original Mustang donor car, not as a pre-existing Shelby GT350.

The Dodge Charger is a classic American muscle car, and it’s specifically called out here as one of the hardest models to source in usable condition. The hosts discuss paying for a Charger donor because clean, rust-free examples are scarce.

In custom-car building, a donor car is the original vehicle you use as the base for a conversion—often sacrificed for its body, chassis, or usable components. The segment mentions paying for a donor because clean originals are hard to find.

Air ducts are channels designed to direct airflow to specific areas, such as brakes, intercoolers, or radiator components. In custom trucks, they’re often used to manage heat and improve aerodynamic efficiency.

Four-wheel drive (4WD) sends power to all four wheels, improving traction on loose or slippery surfaces. For trucks, it’s especially useful when you need grip for acceleration, climbing, or off-road use.

A “slam” build lowers a vehicle’s ride height to an extreme, often for styling and stance. Lowering changes suspension geometry and can reduce ground clearance, which affects how usable the truck is on rough roads.

Load space is the usable area in the truck bed for carrying cargo. In lowered builds, designers may reduce bed depth to “tuck” components, so load space can be a key tradeoff between appearance and practicality.

“Weight savings” refers to how much lighter the build is compared with a baseline, like an all-steel version. In this episode, they quantify it (about 750 pounds), which directly affects driving feel and performance.

Power-to-weight is a performance metric comparing engine output to the car’s mass. With less weight and strong horsepower, the car can feel noticeably quicker because the same power has less mass to move.

A supercharger is an engine-mounted forced-induction device that increases air pressure to make more power. “Spooling up” means the supercharger is building boost (reaching its operating speed) so the engine starts making that extra pressure and power.

VMP is an aftermarket performance brand known for supercharger systems and tuning for Ford Coyote engines. In this context, they’re supplying the forced-induction hardware used on the build.

“4x4” means a four-wheel-drive vehicle, where power is sent to both the front and rear axles. It’s commonly chosen for traction in off-road or low-grip conditions, and it can also influence packaging and suspension setup.

In this context, “Mustang” refers to the Ford Mustang platform being planned for a carbon-fiber build, alongside other cars mentioned in the same discussion. The podcast suggests the speaker wants to do a Fox-body Mustang in carbon, meaning the goal is a modernized, lightweight-looking custom. It’s discussed because the Mustang is a common canvas for restomods and material upgrades.

Emission controls are systems designed to reduce pollutants from the engine’s exhaust and evaporative emissions. In the late muscle-car era, these systems often forced engine calibration changes that could reduce power output compared with earlier, less-regulated cars.

The wheel well is the body opening/arch that surrounds the tire. Its shape and clearance determine how much tire can fit and how the body lines can be refined without rubbing.

An IROC wheel refers to wheel designs associated with the IROC (International Race of Champions) era/style. In enthusiast circles, “IROC” often signals a particular classic multi-spoke look that’s been adapted for modern custom builds.