The founder of West Coast Customs discusses a charitable auction and their customized creations.
The founder of West Coast Customs, Ryan Friedlingerhaus, spoke with romero.my.id ahead of Saturday’s event. The Mecum Auction in Indianapolis will showcase five customized vehicles. From his private collection, the renowned auto shop owner’s five lots feature a Darth Vader-themed 2012 car. Volkswagen Passat, a NASCAR-inspired 2022 Toyota The Camry, a Star Trek Discovery edition from 2018 Polaris Slingshot, along with a Dukes of Hazzard-inspired 2006 model. Dodge A charger along with a 1997 Toyota 4Runner showcased on the cover of Minitruckin' magazine in 1997 are up for grabs. Proceeds from this auction will support the West Coast Customs Academy, an institution focused on providing practical education to future automotive customization experts across various specialties, ultimately leading to completing a custom vehicle project. Since its inception, the academy has successfully graduated three cohorts of budding specialists. "Every single one of these vehicles listed for Mecum's sale marks a significant milestone in my career at West Coast Customs," as stated by Friedlinghaus to romero.my.id.
How Friedlinghaus is aiding in the development of the future cohort of customized automobile experts
When questioned about establishing the West Coast Customs Academy, Friedlinghaus stated: "Back in 2016, as we grappled with finding skilled employees, I conceived this idea. After pausing it momentarily to concentrate more on our operations, I revisited it amid the pandemic when it became clear that individuals were becoming increasingly idle and fewer job seekers emerged. This prompted me to consider 'How can we cultivate a fresh wave of manual laborers?' It wasn't limited to auto mechanics; the aim extended to all fields like plumbing and electrical work where traditional skills seemed scarce. Thus, I resumed my efforts. Collaborating with the nearby Burbank Unified School District, we identified recent high-school graduates without specific career goals or plans for higher education, enrolling them into an intensive training course designed around practical learning—covering every aspect of constructing a vehicle from inception through completion."
"I believe what makes this shop special is that we handle every aspect here, allowing us to guide the students through each step—from bodywork and painting to interiors, suspensions, and fabrication. Essentially, anything we tackle at West Coast Customs, we walk the students through, helping them complete an entire vehicle." Friedlinghaus pointed out that California once had numerous auto shops available for high school students, but their number has drastically decreased over time. He emphasized as the founder of West Coast Customs that he aims to demonstrate to his academy’s students that working with customized automobiles is indeed a viable career option; if they're dedicated and passionate about it, not only can they pursue it successfully, but also earn substantial income doing so.
Friedlinghaus elaborated on what sets his academy apart, stating: "What makes our program distinctive is that we cover every facet of constructing a vehicle. Students gain hands-on experience with each step involved in building a car—from beginning to end. This allows them to explore various roles within the process since many incoming students have specific interests. For instance, some may initially want to become painters, yet ultimately discover their true passion lies in fabrication work. Therefore, this comprehensive approach enables them to dabble in multiple areas before deciding which path best aligns with their future careers."
Within two of Friedlinghaus' specially crafted Mecum listings
Friedlinghaus mentioned that his followers had been inquiring about what he planned to do with his 1997 Toyota 4Runner, which was showcased on the cover of Minitruckin' magazine and had remained parked at his workshop. In response, he created a project centered around this SUV for the curriculum at the West Coast Customs Academy, where students undertook its restoration. This involved overhauling the suspension, refurbishing the cabin, upgrading the sound system, and repainting the exterior. He noted, "I believe it ended up even better than when it first appeared."
Friedlinghaus shared his insights about working on the auction’s Charger provided by Dodge: "I put my touch on it. I felt a bit uncertain, wondering how Dodge would react to me altering the vehicle—cutting it in half, making it shorter, broadening the doors, and lowering the roof? Essentially, I transformed the entire appearance of the car, but I believe it captured their interest, leading them to issue us a design order."
Final thoughts
The forthcoming Mecum auction, showcasing bespoke creations from Friedlinghaus’s private stash, narrates the captivating journey of an auto industry insider who pursued his aspirations and now gives back following significant achievement.
"I believe it's all about keeping your focus on your dreams. When I was young, there weren't many opportunities available. So, I had to find my own way and learn as I went. However, I must admit that without having taken woodshop and auto shop classes in high school, I might not have ever discovered this career path. These courses allowed me to realize 'I enjoy this' and 'this is what I want to pursue.' And once I recognized these interests, I figured out how to make them part of my life," stressed the founder of West Coast Customs.
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