About Us
Mission Statement
Our mission is to create a partnership of mutual respect and integrity with you, the customer, while in pursuit of a dream: to establish a successful and profitable business building one-of-a-kind street rods, classics, customs, and muscle cars.
Squid's Rod Shop has been a professional builder of street rods, classics, customs, and muscle cars since 1998 (Originally operated as Rutter's Rod Shop). Our experience and knowledge of specialty parts qualifies us to advise the interested car builder regarding the best options for his car.
Parts
We sell and recommend parts from all major manufacturers in the industry. We have used many of the parts we sell for various builds in our own shop. Our personal relationship to many experts in the industry gives us an edge when it comes to helping you choose the best parts for your application.
Our Own Line
Our desire for quality products has even prompted us to design and offer our own line of laser-cut products too! Made in the USA, you can be assured that these simple yet useful products are stamped with our approval.
Our History
Rutter's Rod Shop began as a part time business in 1998. We incorporated and became a full time enterprise in the year 2000. This business grew steadily, operating out of a 2000 square foot building in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After three and a half years, we were prompted to move from our backyard to a 4000 square foot building in a commercial location.
Then in 2008 we decided to relocate to Hickory, North Carolina. At the end of 2013 we moved to a larger building of 7000 square feet where we can offer every aspect of partial builds as well as complete builds involving disassembly, frame building, design, installation and repair, plus body and paint. We employ a small team of talented hot-rod-savvy individuals who all bring desirable talents to our operation.
Our Future
In 2023, Matt “Squid” Swiderski acquired Rutter’s Rod Shop and rebranded it as Squid’s Rod Shop. An engineer by training—BSME from Kettering University and MSME from Purdue University—Squid brings 20+ years in professional motorsports with roles at Richard Childress Racing, Team Penske, Trackhouse Racing, and Kaulig Racing, plus experience as a Dynamics Engineer at SpaceX. He’s built a team and facility focused on precision, innovation, and reliability—delivering show-quality hot rods, street rods, customs, and muscle cars engineered to perform as beautifully as they look.
