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Jesus Lopez (Gabe’s Custom Interiors) | From Boyd Coddington to Full Hot Rod Builds

Jesus Lopez (Gabe’s Custom Interiors) | From Boyd Coddington to Full Hot Rod Builds

Oil and Whiskey with Roadster Shop Oct 27, 2025 203 min
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About this episode

Jesus Lopez, renowned hot rod builder, shares his journey from working in his father's upholstery shop to creating iconic cars like the Grim Camaro. He discusses the influence of Boyd Coddington, the challenges of building high-caliber vehicles, and the evolution of his craft. The episode dives into memorable experiences, including a wild bachelor party in Mexico and the realities of law enforcement interactions. With a mix of humor and insight, Lopez reflects on the automotive industry and the importance of passion in his work.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Chevrolet Camaro

"...I was a hey. I'm building this Camaro. They're like, oh, that's cool..."

The Camaro is a type of sports car made by Chevrolet. It's known for being fast and stylish, and many people love to customize them.

Company

WeatherTech

"...another episode of oil and whiskey brought to you by WeatherTech. WeatherTech's cargo liner provides complete cargo area protection..."

WeatherTech makes products that help keep your car clean and protected, like mats that catch dirt and spills.

Part

cargo liner

"...WeatherTech's cargo liner provides complete cargo area protection and coverage to defend against daily wear and tear..."

A cargo liner is a mat that goes in the back of your car to protect it from dirt and scratches when you carry things like groceries or tools.

Concept

hot rod

"...most people know you as the famous hot rod builder..."

A hot rod is a car that has been changed or upgraded to go faster and look cooler. People who love hot rods often work on them to make them special and unique.

Car

Chevrolet Silverados

"...like I'll S10s and Silverado's and stuff like that..."

The Chevrolet Silverado is a big pickup truck made by Chevrolet. It's popular for its power and ability to carry heavy loads.

Car

Chevrolet S10

"...like I'll S10s and Silverado's and stuff like that..."

The Chevrolet S10 is a smaller pickup truck made by Chevrolet. It's known for being useful and can be customized in many ways.

Car

Chevrolet C10

"...build him a 68 C10"

The Chevrolet C10 is a type of pickup truck that was made in 1968. It's well-liked for its strong build and is often modified by car enthusiasts.

Car

Pontiac 64 Convertible

"built him a 64 Pontiac convertible and Caesar I knew him since he's a baby, right? He's a friend of our family"

The 1964 Pontiac Convertible is a classic car that you can drive with the top down. Pontiac was a brand that made sporty cars in the past.

Concept

chassis

"...we started with the road shop chassis. We put the mercury as before in it..."

The chassis is like the skeleton of a car. It holds everything together, including the engine and wheels, and helps the car stay strong and stable.

Company

Speedcore

"...Speedcore did the part of carbon for that. It didn't seem like money was a problem..."

Speedcore makes special parts out of carbon fiber, which is a lightweight material that helps cars go faster and perform better. They focus on making strong and light pieces for vehicles.

Concept

SEMA

"...he's like dude. You need to fucking take this to SEMA. You need to like get this out there..."

SEMA is a big car show in Las Vegas where people show off custom cars and new car parts. It's a place for car lovers to see the latest trends and meet others who enjoy cars.

Car

Chevy

"...it was a 50s Chevy once..."

Chevy is short for Chevrolet, a well-known car brand in the United States that makes many different types of vehicles.

Car

Ford Mustang

"...are you getting business at that point? so at SEMA They approach a guy approached me and he's a hair. I want to build a car to this caliber There's a 69 Mustang"

The 1969 Mustang is a classic American muscle car known for its stylish design and strong performance. It's a popular choice among car enthusiasts and collectors.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"...I met you guys in 2000. You guys had that corvette at pleasantin..."

The Corvette is a fast sports car made by Chevrolet. It's famous for its stylish looks and powerful engine, making it popular among car enthusiasts.

Car

Buick Grand National

"...we finally made it happen with Jeremy Katz on this grand national and he thought I was fucking crazy..."

The Buick Grand National is a special version of a Buick car from the 1980s that is famous for being fast and powerful. It's a favorite among car fans for its unique style and performance.

Term

door panel

"...to build a door panel with the dimension of a new car that you wanted and it was just a flat..."

The door panel is the part of the car door you see and touch from the inside. It often has buttons and handles, and it helps make the car look nice inside.

Term

3D printing

"...with the modern technology scanning and machining and foams and 3D printing and so like that..."

3D printing is a way to make objects by adding material layer by layer, like building with blocks. It's used in cars to create parts quickly and customize designs.

Car

Renault Modus

"...but uh You moving on that was debuted in the air modus booth a couple years ago that thing Really reall..."

The Renault Modus is a small family car that was made to be practical and easy to drive in the city. It has a clever design that makes good use of space, which is great for families. People mention it because it offers a lot of room and comfort in a compact size.

Part

forged wheels

"Yeah, looks good. Those are bricks in bricks and forged wheels. carbon barrels"

Forged wheels are made from a single piece of metal, making them stronger and lighter than regular wheels. This helps improve the car's performance and handling.

Car

1956 Ford

"The 56 no man as a fast track chassis"

The 1956 Ford refers to a car made by Ford in 1956. It's a classic car that many people admire for its unique design and style.

Car

Mercury S

"...this is going to have a mercury S before it too..."

The Mercury S is a car made by the Mercury brand, which is known for its sporty designs and powerful engines. It's part of the American muscle car tradition, which emphasizes performance and style.

Term

V8 engine

"...but American muscle v8..."

A V8 engine is a type of engine that has eight cylinders arranged in a V shape. It's known for being powerful and is commonly found in many sports and muscle cars.

Term

456 gears

"We've been putting like 456 gears in everything that has one of those and dude. It just wakes them up like night and day difference, but with like a t56 or something."

456 gears are a type of gear ratio that helps a car accelerate faster. A lower number means better fuel economy, while a higher number means quicker acceleration but can reduce top speed.

Term

T56

"but with like a t56 or something. Yeah, it is a different car really."

The T56 is a type of six-speed manual transmission that helps cars shift gears smoothly and quickly. It's popular in sports cars because it's strong and reliable.

Term

power band

"...it hits the power band so much right over it feels like yeah, and it works on that because you got so much..."

The power band is the part of the engine's speed range where it works best and gives the most power. If you're driving in this range, the car will feel faster and more responsive.

Part

ECU

"...we had to do is rip the ECU and do we put a holly in it. That's the best thing you could do too..."

The ECU is like the car's brain that controls how the engine runs. Changing it can help the car perform better or fix problems with how it drives.

Company

Holley

"...we had to do is rip the ECU and do we put a holly in it. That's the best thing you could do too..."

Holley is a company that makes parts for cars, especially for improving how engines work. Many car lovers use their products to make their cars faster or more efficient.

Car

Plymouth Cuda

"...ou're back in it where we'd used a holly on That cuda that we did and that thing Dude"

The Plymouth Cuda is a classic car from the 1970s known for being fast and stylish. It's a popular choice among car lovers because it represents a fun time in American car design and performance. People often talk about it because of its cool looks and powerful engine.

Car

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

"...but he I've watched him a brand new gt3 rs Take this little toy car on the spoilers and from the spoiler and then across the quarter panel..."

The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is a super fast sports car designed for racing and high performance. It's part of the 911 family, which is one of the most famous cars in the world.

Car

Honda Accord

"85 Honda Accord four door. Yeah, my dad did the interior and then we painted him in that blue"

The Honda Accord is a well-known car that many people use for everyday driving. The 1985 version is one of the earlier models and is recognized for being reliable.

Term

4100 V8

"But it was the 4100 v8. It was a dog shit engine dog shit."

The 4100 V8 is an engine type used in some Cadillacs. The speaker mentions it wasn't very good.

Car

Cadillac Cts

"...rty. Okay in Mexico, right? It's five of us in a Cadillac CTS Oh, yeah, your brother 2004 Cadillac CTS"

The Cadillac CTS is a fancy car that offers a comfortable ride and nice features. It was made to compete with other luxury cars and is known for being stylish and fun to drive. The 2004 version is especially talked about for being a good mix of comfort and sportiness.

Car

Pontiac 6000

"...the very first one was a gift and that was a 1986 white Pontiac 6000 four-door front-wheel drive squared off. It's the same..."

The Pontiac 6000 is a car that was made by Pontiac in the 1980s. It was a four-door vehicle that had its front wheels powered, which is common in many cars today.

Car

Chevrolet Celebrity

"It was like Chevy celebrity value. Yeah on on those cars"

The Chevrolet Celebrity is a car that was made in the 1980s and 1990s. It was a popular choice for families because it was comfortable and spacious.

Car

Chevrolet El Camino

"It's the motor from the 70 El Camino that my dad had when I used to I used to drive that 70 El Camino to high school."

The El Camino is a car that also has a truck bed, making it useful for carrying things. It's a classic vehicle that many people enjoy.

Part

400 small block

"It's a 400 small block. I'm like, I'll take it"

The 400 small block is a powerful engine made by Chevrolet. It's popular for building and restoring classic cars because it provides good performance.

17 cars featured

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