Squid's Rod Shop

Squid's Rod Shop • Hickory, North Carolina

Custom Cars.
Precision Engineering.
Exceptional Craftsmanship.

Built to a vision. Crafted in metal. Finished to perfection.

From complete custom builds and classic car restorations to fabrication, paint, and performance upgrades, our experienced team brings craftsmanship and motorsports engineering expertise to every project.

Custom candy apple red 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle featured in the Squid's Rod Shop project gallery
What We Do

Everything Your Project Needs. One Experienced Team.

Our full-service facility handles major custom builds as well as focused upgrades, with the fabrication, mechanical, electrical, and finishing capabilities to see the work through.

Complete Custom Builds

Full vehicle builds, restorations, and restomods—from initial planning through final assembly.

Fabrication & Metalwork

Precision sheet-metal fabrication, TIG welding, body modifications, and custom components.

Paint & Bodywork

High-quality body preparation, metal finishing, custom colors, and premium PPG paint systems.

Engine & Drivetrain

LS, LT, and Coyote swaps, transmissions, fuel injection, engine controls, and performance tuning.

Chassis, Suspension & Brakes

Modern chassis integration, steering, suspension, braking, and drivability upgrades.

Wiring & Final Assembly

Complete wiring, digital gauges, climate-control systems, and detail-focused vehicle assembly.

Craftsmanship Backed by Engineering

Experienced Hands. Engineering-Driven Leadership.

Great custom cars are built by great technicians. Our fabricators, metalworkers, painters, and mechanical specialists bring the experience needed to execute complex projects with care.

Owner Matt “Squid” Swiderski brings more than 20 years of motorsports experience. He currently serves as Performance Engineering Director at Team Penske and previously served as a NASCAR Cup Series crew chief for Trackhouse Racing and Kaulig Racing, earning three Cup Series wins. With a BSME from Kettering University, an MSME from Purdue University, and engineering experience at SpaceX, Matt brings a rigorous technical approach to every build.

Experienced Automotive CraftsmenFabrication, paint, mechanical, electrical, and assembly specialists
Team Penske & NASCAR Cup SeriesCurrent Performance Engineering Director; three Cup Series wins as crew chief
Mechanical Engineering DegreesBSME from Kettering University • MSME from Purdue University
SpaceX ExperienceHigh-performance simulation and dynamics engineering background
Customer Experience

Your Project. Documented Along the Way.

We know a custom vehicle is a major investment. Using GlobalWorkshop, our team documents project progress, records completed work, and shares regular photo updates with customers—including those who live far from our shop.

Our approach to project organization and customer communication was featured in a published GlobalWorkshop case study.

Read the Squid's Rod Shop Case Study →

What You Can Expect

Clear project communication, photographic documentation, organized work records, and thoughtful coordination across fabrication, paint, mechanical work, and final assembly.

Parts & Professional Installation

Get the Right Parts. Have Our Team Install Them.

Considering a chassis, suspension, brake, powertrain, wiring, or air-conditioning upgrade? We can help you choose compatible components, source quality parts, and handle the installation and setup.

Choose the Right Components
Source Quality Parts
Install & Integrate
Beyond the Shop

Engineering Background & Industry Conversations

Learn more about the experience behind Squid's Rod Shop through an engineering alumni profile and a conversation with the Roadster Shop team.

Let's Talk About Your Vehicle

Ready to Start Your Project?

Whether you're planning a complete build or have a specific upgrade in mind, tell us about your vehicle and what you'd like to accomplish. We'll help you determine the next steps and provide a free preliminary project estimate.

Hickory, NC   |   704-462-1050   |   sales@squidsrodshop.com

Preliminary estimates are based on the information available. Detailed inspections, troubleshooting, or disassembly may require a separate paid evaluation.