Great custom work comes down to craftsmanship, communication, and attention to detail. Hear from Squid’s Rod Shop customers and explore additional testimonials from our historical project archive.
Feedback from Squid's Rod Shop customers, with photographs from their corresponding vehicle projects.
Project: Replaced the original LT1 with a rebuilt, supercharged LT4 featuring a BTR Stage 2 camshaft, including extensive wiring and electrical integration for the conversion.
The best people and service you could ask for. Could not recommend them more.— Dalton Wilson
Project: Full restoration in progress, including custom purple paint with a painted-in gray stripe.
I can't say enough good things about Matt and his team at Squids Rod Shop. The expertise of the staff and their attention to even the smallest detail is unparalleled. In the time that I've had my truck there for it's full restoration, I have seen first hand the amazing work they perform. Whether you need some minor work to a full build, you cannot go wrong trusting your project to them.— Mike Elmore
Work performed: Fabricated the firewall and custom engine mounts, and completed plumbing for the twin-turbo setup.
Squid’s is an absolutely awesome shop to do business with. These guys turned into friends, and they went above and behind for my build. My favorite part are the daily updates. You never have to guess what stage your build is currently in. I’m looking forward to bringing more cars to Squid’s Rod Shop. You guys are awesome!— Ivo Kellum
A selection of historical feedback on technical work, craftsmanship, project planning, and communication. These testimonials are preserved from the shop's earlier years under the name Rutter's Rod Shop.
Rework the suspension, shape a new roof, design a new dash, design dual brake lights, rework and repair running boards, body-work and paint.
Awesome workmanship and great people. A place you can trust your project will get done right!!— Jeff Aquino
Trouble shoot, repair, install new gauges, and improve running.
I am very satisfied with the work done at the shop! The digital gauges look terrific! The cruise control worked perfectly on the way home from the shop which is a 500 mile trip. The cold start issue is no more. I started the truck for the first time after 5 days at home and the truck started right up! The guys answered all questions that I had when I picked up the truck and they did not try to rush us out the door. I'm pleased with the work performed and how well I was treated. I definitely will be bringing my wife's '69 Chevy C10 to have it customized by your shop!— John Tumis
Troubleshoot and repair the work done incorrectly at another shop. Install new Alumicraft Outlaw Grill. Install new GM Ram Jet crate engine.
Rutter's is a world class rod shop from top to bottom. Patt, Bob, and the guys are great to work with. Their knowledge of building vintage hot rods to super muscle cars is excellent. They are highly skilled and the work they do be it paint, mechanical, electrical, etc. is first class. They communicate timely, effectively, and in ways the customer can understand. They give you excellent advice but clearly let you make the choice and emphasize that it's your car! From a business stand point, their accountability, invoicing, design, and documentation are the best I've seen or heard about. Best in class, any class!— Ken Saylor
Complete Build
It was terrific working with Bob & Patt on this project! Not only did they have great ideas and excellent craftsmanship but they were extremely easy to work with, cordial and friendly at every step of the build. I really appreciated the pictures taken during the build-up of the '57 and the full disclosure and itemization of the weekly invoicing.— Marshall Machado
Additional feedback spanning custom builds, bodywork, paint, suspension, mechanical repairs, and other work completed under the prior shop name.
Inspect and repair for a better ride, improved running, and safety for long driving. Update body with some fab-work, body-work, and paint.
Hard to find someone to do it right the first time. Rutter's does it. THANKS!— Jody Younger
Replace brakes and lines, update front brakes to disc brakes.
Thank you so much for the service and efficiency of the work on my car that was provided. I feel my car is a lot safer now with the new break system you put on. Thank you again. I will keep you in mind for future work I will need for my car.— Johnny Wellman
Complete frame-off build including suspension, electrical work, body and custom paint. Honored to be a participant in the 2014 NSRA Nationals BUILDER'S SHOWCASE in Louisville, KY.
The hands-on experience and design vision this team brings to the build guarantees a street rod you can be proud of driving. Rutter's Rod Shop consistently displays what a real build team looks like. If you need a full build as I did, or if you need someone to fix what some other builder botched, this is the team who can take care of it the right way. Even if you just need a few mods, give them a call. It's also nice to have rod parts locally available. If Rutter's doesn't have it in stock, they will usually have it in a day or two. I highly recommend this team of professionals.— Tom Wollenberg
Complete build with some mods and custom paint. Honored to be a participant in the 2015 NSRA Nationals BUILDER'S SHOWCASE in Louisville, KY
The folks at Rutter's went way beyond my expectations on the restoration of my '56 Oldsmobile 88 Coupe! They did a complete body off restoration and I am well pleased.— Ronnie Murray
Complete build with major body mods and custom paint. Honored to be a participant in the 2016 NSRA Nationals BUILDER'S SHOWCASE in Louisville, KY
I have worked with Rutter's on two projects. One was this high dollar show car and the other was a quick project daily driver. In every circumstance the folks at Rutter's exceeded my expectations for quality, cost and fairness. There is no question that they will be doing my next project!— Chris Reid
Rebuild motor, replace fuel tank, plus miscellaneous adjustments and repairs.
I had heard good things about 'Rutter's'! Anyone who survived this economy while offering a service like theirs, in my opinion, must be good at what they do. My most worldly prized possession, 'Bessie' is by no means a Barrett-Jackson candidate but they treated her as if she was! That meant everything to me. Rutter's was respectable, knowledgeable, and did excellent work!— Leslie Hamlin
Complete build including engine rebuild, new bumpers, new American Racing wheels, new Flaming River Power rack and pinion kit, new aluminum radiator, new upholstery, plus body and paint.
Leslie and I are the proud owners of this 1966 Corvette. We are very appreciative of the dedication and craftsmanship that Rutter, and the rest of the folks at Rutter's put into this project. The paint work is truly amazing-silky smooth. Engine-wise, it has a very nice rumble that can't be ignored! Due to a traffic situation beyond my control, I was forced to quickly exceed the posted speed limit a bit, and handling was very smooth. Surely no one noticed. Again, kudos and thanks!— Rod Smith
Welded solid and gusseted the owner-installed front-end. Re-fit the sheet metal and rebuilt the core support to fit the old-school Nova sub-frame. Installed new leaf springs. Shortened the frame for a new short-box, and added a new fuel tank.
It's all about the people - Bob, Patt, and the crew are wonderful to work with. They didn't mind taking on my low-buck old-school project. . . . I highly recommend Rutter's and am certain you will not be disappointed. Now I need to finish my truck!— Rick Powell
Removed the old factory air bags and installed a new Ride Tech system.
I cannot thank you enough for the great job you did on my air ride! You have a very clean shop and a safe place. The car drives and handles better than factory! As soon as I saw the hot rods in the shop that were being worked on I knew right away, these people know what they're doing! I would also like to thank Mike at Ride Tech, who is very knowledgeable.— Joey Grama
Complete build.
Rutter's built the car of my dreams! The experience in their shop is incomparable! Without their recommendations I wouldn't be able to drive my family over 300 miles without any worries . . . and look cool doing it!— Sal Raza
Complete Build
Rutter is the most honest builder I have ever experienced. He's a great fabricator and he charges reasonable prices.— Tim McGilton
Install IFS/Steering/Engine and Trans/New Brake Assembly and Lines Drive Shaft/Dropped Rear Leaf Springs/Repair Floors/Install Custom Gas Filler Neck in Bed of Truck
The professionalism and talent in your operation is as good as any shop in this country! Your experience to see ahead of what's coming stands your shop apart from the others: fantastic attention to detail, great people, and an overall great success! Thanks, I'll be back for more!— Steve Nowak
Replacement Cab Supports/Sheet Metal Repair/Brakes/Fuel Tank
Bob and Patt are great to work with! Every aspect of the repair and renovation of my truck was performed with concern, expertise, and professionalism. I will definitely use Rutter's for future projects!— Ron Phillips
Repair windows and wipers.
We found Rutter's to be very courteous and knowledgable about antique cars. The work we had done was very good!— Carol Sigmon
Complete Build including installing a new crate motor and rebuilding the transmission. Install new front-end and remount the rear-end. Install a PRC aluminum radiator, Tanks, Inc. fuel tank, Haywire 21 Fuse wiring system, MBM Brake system, Dakota Digital gauges, Ididit column, and miscellaneous repairs and upgrades.
After talking with 'Rutter' about the shape my car was in and what I wanted to do with it, I got excited! Bob is certainly a man of integrity proven over and over along the way. He guided me with the spending in a manner that made it possible to reach my goals, not for his own gain, but for my satisfaction. I can truthfully say that I'm very satisfied with the process, the workmanship, quality, and outcome of Phase One of my project. Now I'm able to safely 'Cruise In' and have fun on the road and at shows with my '40 Chevy. Thanks, 'Rutter' for your honesty and expertise every step of the way.— Barry Rutlidge
Remove old wiring and replace with new Haywire 14 Fuse system. Install master disconnect switch. Install new Ididit column. Install a custom radio panel in the dash. Run power to the seats.
Rutter's Rod Shop did a very nice job on our car and kept us in the loop for the entire process. I will keep them in mind for more work as the money comes along. My wife, Mary and I enjoyed getting to know everyone at the shop.— Leonard Miller
Browse completed and in-progress builds, or search the larger project archive by decade.
Whether it's a complete custom build, metal fabrication, paint and bodywork, or upgrades to a classic vehicle, tell us what you have in mind. We provide free preliminary project estimates based on the details and photos you share.
