After 155 episodes across 16 seasons airing from 2012 to 2020, Richard Rawlings sealed the fate of Gas Monkey Garage by showing the world the nitty-gritty side of hot-rodding cars. Based in Dallas Texas, Gas Monkey Garage has built over 100 vehicles of all types ranging from custom motorcycles and one-of-a-kind hot rods, to modified supercars and collectible classics. Rawlings has turned the business of grassroots Hot rodding into an entertaining, but relatable car culture niche.
What makes Gas Monkey Garage great is the spirit of collaboration, community through supporting builds with other companies/businesses, as well as giving back to charities. The attitude of no build is too ridiculous keeps Gas Monkey Garage exciting. While there have definitely been builds that have been low budget or less substantial, the overall message of, if you can dream it, you can build it, applies to Richard Rawlings’ garage of wild creations.
Although Fast N’ Loud is no longer airing on television, the Gas Monkey Garage lives on as the classic hot rod restoration shop it has always been known for. The team still builds and sells classics, and currently has an inventory in Dallas, Texas. Whether you’re a fan of hot rods or not, there’s no denying the team at Gas Monkey Garage built some neck-breaking vehicles over the years. While every build counts, here are 10 of our favorite dream machines from Richard Rawlings’ Gas Monkey Garage.
10 Midas Monkey Corvette
It’s not every day, your Hotrod Corvette becomes a Hot Wheels legend. That’s exactly what happened with the Gas Monkey Garage Midas Monkey Corvette. The car started life as a 1968 black 427 cubic inch Chevy Corvette with a four-speed transmission. This was a desirable configuration for a car of this era.
After GMG got a hold of it though, the little American sports car turned into a gold-painted, side pipe, deep-dish wheeled beast. Equipped with a massive supercharger sticking out of the hood as if to reach for the sky, it’s easy to understand why this became a Hot Wheels car. The exaggerated components the team added lend well to the Hot Wheels aesthetic.
9 Hi Po Hauler
Another Hot Wheels vehicle from the wild minds inside the Gas Monkey Garage, was the visually unbelievable Hi Po Hauler. The vehicle is technically a 1963 Ford Econoline, however the Hi Po Hauler project, upon completion, is a far cry away from your standard Ford Econoline. A true “Chop”, this vehicle has become a rear-engined 700 horsepower monster. Given just 10 weeks to build in a challenge set by Mattel, Rawlings and his team were able to rise to the occasion.
Finished in a bold metallic orange, sporting a staggered set of large chrome wheels, the Hi Po Hauler is the second vehicle from the gas Monkey Garage to be featured as a Hot Wheels car, and was even chosen as a Red Line Club car. Red Line special Hot Wheels models are only available to members of the exclusive club aimed at helping serious collectors gain access to special release models.
8 Jeep CJ7 Veteran Build
The 1981 CJ7 Jeep seen on Fast N’ Loud was an important build, as it was created specifically to honor veterans. Inspired by the 1970s SuperJeeps, Gas Monkey Garage’s build emulated the themes of those Jeeps by including American Flag themed paint. The rest of the build is classic Jeep with chrome wheels, large off-road Mud-Terrain BF Goodrich tires, a refreshed replica CJ interior.
The engine was a refreshed, but original 4.2 liter inline-six. Richard Rawlings wanted the vehicle to be completed as a near-stock look, but with the special sauce Gas Monkey Garage is known for. The Jeep would go on to be sold at the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction, raising 1.3 Million dollars for charity, to go to the Gary Sinice Foundation.
7 F40
Gas Monkey Garage goes exotic. The Ferrari F40 is about as exotic as it gets. Being one of the most desirable supercars from the 1980s, Ferrari is known globally by this single car alone. What was GMG doing with one? This particular F40 had an extremely rough life, starting as a wrecked car, GMG rejuvenated the old Ferrari F40 turning it into one of the most sought after builds ever.
Some might call it blasphemy, but the hot-rodded F40 proved to be a hit with Fast N’ Loud fans. After going to auction the car was purchased by Reggie Jackson, who held the car for some time before selling to a crooked parking lot operator. Eventually the car was seized and sent to auction again where a new owner has taken possession of the famed F40.
6 Ford GT “BADD GT”
The Ford GT on its own is a marvel to behold. It’s no wonder a car as mighty as the GT made it to television screens featured on Fast N’ Loud. This isn’t just any Ford GT, however. This particular Ford GT has been modified utilizing a twin turbo set up as well as nitrous injection to produce 2,700 horsepower. With Johnny Bohmer at the wheel, and after many test runs and adjustments to boost and other components, the BADD GT was ultimately able to put down a top speed run of 310.8 miles per hour, making the BADD GT, the undisputed fastest street car on the planet.
Keeping in mind this is a registered “street legal” vehicle, this world-beating run is vastly impressive, considering it was built by a small team of enthusiasts and engineers. The run was accomplished at the landing facility at the Kennedy Space Center.
5 Hellscout
What happens when you transplant the heart of a Scout with the beastly engine from a Hellcat? You get the Hellscout. A silly, but ingenious idea to take the humble 1979 International Scout and drop in a then-new “Hellcrate” SRT crate engine. This is serious power for a basic relatively bare-bones SUV. Except in typical Gas Monkey Garage fashion, it wasn’t just any International Scout.
The Hellscout features a dropped ride, a completely custom exterior paint job, custom exterior parts such as the grille, and deep-dished REVO forged wheels. The interior was completely reconstructed as well with new upholstery and some custom interior pieces. A 707 horsepower International Scout, the way only Gas Monkey Garage could do.
4 1966 Volkswagen Shortbus
Not all builds need to be serious and overpowered. That is certainly the case with the quirky, but lovable 1966 Volkswagen Microbus. The Bus had previously been chopped in half and welded back together at the remaining seams.
After removing a large middle portion, what was left was an extra short wheelbase VW Microbus that really played into the name. With an exterior paint refresh, new wheels, new engine, and suspension, along with a custom interior, the Shortbus project turned out to be one of the more light-hearted builds on Fast N’ Loud.
3 1971 Kingswood “Ugly Kid”
Playing into the questionable appearance of a green wagon from the 1970s with wood panels, the Gas Monkey Garage wanted to make a classic hot rod muscle car out of the funky family station wagon. In the end, the “Ugly Kid” Kingswood made massive power with a 454 cubic inch supercharged engine sticking out of the hood.
In the spirit of supporting small businesses, Richard Rawlings wanted to dedicate the car to the clothing brand Ugly Kid, which creates clothing for those who don’t care about appearances, but still want to express themselves in an individual style. Overall the car, in collaboration with Ugly Kid Clothing provides a positive self-image message while having a little fun.
2 1967 Raising Cane’s Cadillac De Ville
The Cadillac of Gas Monkey Garage Cadillacs. The 1967 Red Cadillac with its rich deep red paint and paint-matched Bonneville-racer wheels, a beautiful white interior to contrast, and a fresh engine, it is one of the slickest Cadillacs to come from the Gas Monkey Garage. This Caddy sits low and wide, as a classic Cadillac should.
It has an incredible road presence, remaining elegant, but with some attitude built in. As it turns out Todd Graves, CEO and founder of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers became extremely interested in the car, and it matched the red theme of his fast food company. Graves purchased the vehicle from Gas Monkey Garage for $150,000.
1 Thomas Crown Affair Mustang
The car that launched the Fast & Loud TV show, the Thomas Crown Affair Mustang became an instant icon as Richard Rawlings’ pride and joy. Starting from a donor car, a pristine 1968 Mustang convertible, this movie car replica has gained a ton of traction from both movie fans as well as Gas Monkey Garage fans.
The car was rumored to be used in other, more action-based movies, however, the off-road-oriented Mustang with its oversized tires widened fender flairs, roll bar, and spotlights seems to be fit for more of a Mad Max-type film. Ultimately the green brute of a Ford Mustang was seen in the Pierce Brosnan movie, The Thomas Crown Affair. Brosnan’s Character drives the Mustang through a small village in Martinique and has resonated with Mustang enthusiasts for being such an oddly interesting take on the classic American Muscle car.