About Us
Experienced Craftsmen. Engineering-Driven Leadership.
Built to a vision. Crafted in metal. Finished to perfection.Squid's Rod Shop builds, restores, maintains, and upgrades street rods, classics, custom cars, muscle cars, and trucks. Our experienced team combines hands-on automotive craftsmanship with a thoughtful engineering approach to every project.
A Complete Shop. A Team That Cares About the Details.
Outstanding vehicles take the combined effort of talented people. Our fabricators, paint and body specialists, and mechanical and electrical technicians work together to deliver cohesive, carefully executed projects.
Craftsmanship
From custom sheet metal and TIG welding to paintwork and final assembly, quality is built into the details—not added at the end.
Engineering & Integration
We consider how the chassis, powertrain, brakes, electrical systems, and other components work together to create a vehicle that performs as intended.
Customer Communication
We value clear expectations, organized project documentation, regular photo updates, and a working relationship built on mutual respect.
Meet Matt “Squid” Swiderski.
Matt brings more than 20 years of professional motorsports engineering and leadership experience to Squid's Rod Shop.
He currently serves as Performance Engineering Director at Team Penske. Previously, he served as a NASCAR Cup Series crew chief at Kaulig Racing and Trackhouse Racing, earning three Cup Series victories: Indianapolis in 2021 and the Charlotte Roval in 2023 with AJ Allmendinger, and Atlanta in 2024 with Daniel Suárez. Earlier engineering roles include Richard Childress Racing and SpaceX.
Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) from Kettering University and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) from Purdue University.
That background influences our approach to vehicle builds: careful planning, practical problem-solving, technical integration, and an appreciation for reliability and performance.
From Complete Builds to Getting a Classic Back on the Road.
Not every customer needs a full custom build. We welcome focused projects and practical improvements alongside our larger, one-of-a-kind builds.
The Right Components. Installed the Right Way.
Choosing quality parts is only part of a successful upgrade. We can help identify compatible components, source them through our parts business, and handle the fabrication, installation, integration, and setup.
Whether you need a suspension conversion, drivetrain upgrade, brake package, air conditioning, or electrical improvements, we can help build a solution around your vehicle and goals.
Know What's Happening With Your Build.
We understand the trust required to leave a valuable classic or custom vehicle in someone else's care—especially when you live far from the shop.
Our team uses GlobalWorkshop to coordinate work, document progress, and share regular photographs and updates. Customers can stay connected to the process from fabrication through final assembly.
GlobalWorkshop has published a case study about our approach to shop management and customer communication.
Built on Clear Communication
Photographic updates, documented work, organized job records, and straightforward conversations about scope, progress, and next steps.
Engineering Experience & Industry Recognition.
Learn more about Matt's engineering and motorsports background—and about the way Squid's Rod Shop approaches its work—from these independent features and interviews.
Matt's path through mechanical engineering, motorsports, SpaceX, and professional racing.
Read the Purdue feature → Kettering University • Alumni Feature100 NASCAR Cup Series Starts as Crew ChiefA profile of Matt's education, technical career, and motorsports milestones.
Read the Kettering feature → Roadster Shop • Oil and Whiskey PodcastA Conversation With Matt “Squid” SwiderskiHear directly from Matt in his Roadster Shop interview.
Watch the interview → GlobalWorkshop • Case StudyBehind the Scenes at Squid's Rod ShopHow we document projects, improve organization, and communicate with customers.
Read the case study →Proud to Support the Hot Rod Community.
Squid's Rod Shop participates in the specialty automotive industry through SEMA and the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA).
Ready to Get Your Project Started?
From one-off fabrication and complete builds to recommissioning, repairs, and professionally installed upgrades, tell us what you have in mind. We'll review your information and discuss a free preliminary project estimate.