Ben VanEperen & Zach Raddatz of No Coast Custom & Rod Shop
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Ben VanEperen and Zach Raddatz of No Coast Custom & Rod Shop join the Oil & Whiskey podcast to share their inspiring journey from humble beginnings to building high-end custom and hot rod projects. They recount their early days—Ben welding at a Kawasaki plant, attending auto body school, and working in collision repair before launching their shop out of necessity, while Zach brings his mechanical expertise and longtime friendship to the team. The conversation is rich with stories of gritty, practical work that built their foundation, from absurd client requests to surviving on collision jobs, all while pursuing passion projects like a 55 Chevy, a 69 AMX built in a month, and a heavily modified 65 C10. The hosts and guests dive into the vibrant culture of car shows, the thrill of post-show hotel burnouts, and the emotional weight of legendary builds like the G-Force Cuda and Rampage, which continue to inspire new generations. Personal car histories—first rides, torque-steer-packed Hondas, and near-misses with law enforcement—add depth and humor, underscoring how cars are deeply tied to identity and memory. The episode culminates in a spirited discussion about the upcoming SEMA show, where Ben and Zach advocate for innovative solutions like vertical lifts and rotary systems to maximize limited booth space, emphasizing the need for early commitment and bold creativity to showcase more vehicles with full visibility of both top and underside details. The energy remains electric throughout, fueled by camaraderie, shared passion, and a deep respect for craftsmanship and community.
Start small, embrace every job—no matter how mundane—as a stepping stone to building credibility and expertise in custom automotive work.
Passion, persistence, and collaboration are more critical than a perfect business plan when launching a custom shop.
The true spirit of hot rod culture lives in spontaneous gatherings, post-show parties, and shared stories, not just in the events themselves.
Legendary builds like the Lee Pratt Nomad and Chicane hold immense cultural and emotional value, often inspiring a 'timeshare' model to preserve access.
Innovative solutions like FinPak vertical lifts and rotary systems can double the number of vehicles displayed at SEMA, enabling full inspection and showcasing.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Birth of No Coast: From Necessity to Name
“I didn't really have anything in the shop, just my own car, you know, a few little side jobs. So in the beginning we just did whatever we could to stay afloat.”
The Grind: Collision Jobs and the Road to Custom Work
“I was just like, well, I can fuck it up. So I decided to go to school for body and paint because I thought, you know, that I can pretty much do anything I need to do.”
The First Big Break: 55 Chevy and the 69 AMX
The duo recounts their first major custom build—a 55 Chevy that started as a body and paint job but turned into a full build. They also discuss the legendary 69 AMX project, completed in just one month, which required 18-hour days and even brought in Auto Geek for a YouTube segment. This chapter highlights the intensity and rewards of high-stakes builds.
Zach’s Role and the Nova Heist
Zach Raddatz shares his journey from high school to joining Ben’s shop, emphasizing his mechanical focus. The chapter centers on a humorous story where Zach and friends took Ben’s Nova while he was away, only for Ben to return early and find it in the shop—now a project in progress. It’s a lighthearted moment that underscores the culture of camaraderie.
The Legacy of Speedy Bill Smith and Bob Johnson
“He was the most passionate guy about this industry that you're ever going to find really i mean in my opinion anyway find somebody that will or that could possibly achieve what he did you know at the time he did it too i mean he was a pioneer in this industry no doubt he started his business in 1952”
“He was the most passionate guy about this industry that you're ever going to find really i mean in my opinion anyway find somebody that will or that could possibly achieve what he did you know at the time he did it too i mean he was a pioneer in this industry no doubt he started his business in 1952”
“Type in Lee Pratt Nomad and then grab a hold of your armrest just so you don't get blown out of your chair real quick. That's how much I like this car.”
“We had these little motorcycles. They were like mini bobbers, and we're doing fucking burnouts and drinking 40s, and we've got the desk chairs that had wheels from the hotel strapped behind the things, and the fucking wheels are ripping off of them, and we're in the hotel room with the fucking motorcycles. Doing burnouts on the carpet. It's just out of control. Out of control. Fun times.”
Hosts
Guests
Ben VanEperen
person
Zach Raddatz
person
No Coast Custom & Rod Shop
organization
SEMA
organization
Good Guys Rod and Custom
organization
Rob Ida
person
G-Force Cuda
other
Lee Pratt Nomad
other
Jeremy
person
Chicane
other
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