One Hot Welder

Steve’s Rods and Customs

There are plenty of advantages to doing business with a small business. Among others, there are these six:

1. Superior quality,
2. Personalized service,
3. Supporting your local economy by creating jobs,
4. Partnering with people who get to do what they love,
5. Helping the environment with reduced fuel costs, and
6. The sense of pride and purpose one gets from knowing you’ve connected with a neighbor.

When HofArc needs specialty services for our Airstream renovations we usually call on local small businesses because we get all six of these advantages every time. And that’s important to us. Yet, the most important reason is not even listed is #7: We want to deliver a great product to our clients.

That’s why we don’t want just any vendor for services or products, even welding. For example, when it comes to welding, we want someone who understands the structural needs and weight requirements of automobiles and trailers. Our projects must not only be beautiful, but more importantly, they need to be right.

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Steve’s Rods and Customs is an excellent example of a successful small local business. He has been building classic automobiles in Carpinteria, CA for 25 years. “I been playing with cars since I was 16 years old,” chuckles the muscular surfer/ father/ husband/ owner, Steve Augerot.

His first project was a 1966 mustang he turned into a hot rod. Since then he’s transformed more than 30 cars of his own and about 20 cars for clients all over the USA.

This Central Coast hot rod renovation business consists of just three guys who specialize in restorations and customs – virtually anything with two or more wheels and an engine – handle high performance, drive train and body and body modifications.

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He has been a major partner in the renovation of several HofArc Airstream projects. In the past year, he has worked with HofArc on:

1. a 1964 Safari 23’ that featured a gull wing door for the Yamaha Music Corporation, and
2. a 1970s Trade Wind that needed a rebuilt chassis (see photo below)

Last month (September 2013), Steve and his crew of Juan Flores and Ashton Escoto rebuilt about two-thirds of a chassis from a 1970s Trade Wind that had 85% rust-through.

My Airstream projects have been an fascinating challenge,” adds Steve. “When Matthew (Hofmann) approached me about doing the gull wing job for Yamaha, I told him I could handle it, and he gave me a shot. We collaborated on the design and it worked out well. I really enjoyed building it.”

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Steve’s a licensed general contractor, who’s also a certified structural welder in MIG, TIG, aluminum and stick.

“My building skills come in handy because I’m always thinking about safety and structural integrity,” says Steve. “My welds and my designs don’t break.”

Steve’s also a magician at transforming a piece of junk into a piece of art.

“I can see the finished product from the start.” He adds, with a confident candor, “Producing a high end, custom classic, is my passion and I’m good at it.”

That’s claim is not just hot rod air, either. At Carpenteria’s 2013 Rods and Roses Show, Steve received the coveted Jerry Clemens Memorial Award.

“Each year,” Steve says with all modesty, “the Clemens family and brotherhood of Carp vote for a top car of the show, and this year I won it. I’m very grateful for the honor.” He took the top prize with a beautiful 1950 Mercury 2-door coupe, completely customized, with a new frame and airbags. “We do everything including paint and polish.”

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Steve’s fairly pragmatic about realizing that most people never even see his work, such as rebuilding a chassis. “My work may be underneath, but I like knowing that my welding helps something old, yet beautiful, come back to life. It will be around long after I’m gone, but the world will know I was a part of something great.”

Like HofArc Airstreams, most of the renovations Steve does are from the ‘50s. “That’s 70 years old!” explains Steve. “I expect my work will last another 70 years, easy… and I bet some day, someone’s going to ask, ‘Who did this?’”

The answer is, Steve.