BUILDING THE KENDALL CUSTOM

It started with a road trip to Denver. While on a shoot a few years back, we stopped into Thompson Street Customs to get a look at an award-winning truck they had crafted for SEMA. After talking shop for a few minutes, we knew that Robert Thompson Sr. and Robert ‘Cope’ Thompson Jr. were the real deal – with the awards to prove it. Together, we decided to build a machine that reflects the Kendall® Motor Oil motto, “You Get Out What You Put In®.” Over the last couple years, we’ve turned blood, sweat, and tears into beauty, precision, and power.

Titanium Garage Episodes

Episode 1: Design

The first episode explores the inspiration and design behind The Kendall Custom. Watch and see how the custom car build process begins—with pencil, paper, and a whole lot of ideas.

Episode 2: Body & Frame

In this episode, the building-blocks of the car are brought together. After combining a Roadster Shop Fast Track chassis and Dynacorn reproduction body, the foundation of The Kendall Custom is formed.

Episode 3: The Engine

With the foundation in place, it’s time to go under the hood as the team converts a 430 HP Ford Coyote V8 engine into a twin turbocharged beast capable of putting out 1200 HP.

Episode 4: A Guest in the Garage

Emily Reeves, host of Flying Sparks Garage on YouTube and Live Love Wrench on Motor Trend, joins the team in Denver to check out The Kendall Custom. Plus, get an update on the progress of this ‘67 Shelby restomod custom build.

Episode 5: Custom Craftsmanship

Rob Dahm, who you may recognize from his YouTube and Instagram videos, brings his wealth of car knowledge to the Titanium Garage. Bill and Rob analyze all the craftsmanship being put into The Kendall Custom, while Cope and Robert Sr. pop the hood for an insider look at this exceptional machine.

Meet The Team

The Builder

Robert Thompson Sr. Thompson Street Customs

Over the last few decades, Robert has built quite the reputation in the automotive industry as a well-recognized custom autobody shop owner. His 15,000 square foot business in Denver, Colorado, specializes in the design and build of custom cars for clientele all over the country, including former high profile athletes like former NBA player turned coach, Anthony Carter and Denver Broncos Linebacker, Von Miller.

The Designer

Robert ‘Cope’ Thompson Jr. Thompson Street Customs

By age four Cope was drawing automobiles. After taking notice, his father had him sketch Hot Wheels cars to hone his talent. Cope’s artistic passion grew to the point where he began applying his skills to airbrushing car exteriors and designing unique restomods. Joining forces with his father, their first custom car went on to win Best Truck in Show honors at the 2010 SEMA show. Cope brings a new-age style to his designs, while his dad grounds him with a more classic style of bodywork.

The Host

Bill Stephens NBC Sports Network

This American television host and automotive and motorsports commentator is a lifelong car lover. Bill could identify every make by age three and was started working as an autobody repairman and painter shortly after finishing high school. Bill’s automotive and motorsports expertise and fascination for radio came together when he began his commentating career in 1972. He continues today as a TV personality and Mecum Auctions Analyst for NBC Sports Network.

KENDALL CUSTOM SPECS

TWIN TURBOCHARGED FORD COYOTE ENGINE

Garrett Advancing Motion

The Garrett name ties back to the origins of the turbocharger. They are known worldwide as pioneers and leaders in their industry.

Rolle, Switzerland

GarrettMotion.com

CUSTOM KENWOOD SOUND SYSTEM WITH LED LIGHTS

JL Audio

The go-to for audio innovation in the custom-build community, they are sought after for their impressive subwoofers.

Miramar, FL

JLAudio.com

CHASSIS FRAME

Roadster Shop Fast Track

When it comes to chassis fabrication for street rods and muscle cars, these guys have been the backbone of the industry for a quarter century.

Mundelein, IL

RoadsterShop.com

9" FORD HOUSING REAR END

Strange Engineering

They make the market’s best-known hardcore racing and performance street driveline and suspension components.

Morton Grove, IL

StrangeEngineering.net

FULL-SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL

KENDALL^® GT-1^® MAX

Kendall’s most advanced premium, full-synthetic motor oil is formulated to protect and enhance turbocharged engines, withstanding the most extreme driving conditions.

Houston, TX

KendallMotorOil.com

AIR CONDITIONING

Vintage Air

This team’s in-depth knowledge of street rods, sports trucks, and performance cars enables them to craft custom air solutions for every automotive project.

San Antonio, TX

VintageAir.com

FLUSH-MOUNTED FRONT AND REAR GLASS

AM Hot Rod Glass

Getting their start with arguably the most famous custom garage, West Coast Customs, they’ve been crafting the finest acrylic glass in all of the industry.

Fontana, CA

AMHotRodandGlass.com

FRONT AND REAR BRAKES

Baer Disc Brakes

Their detail-oriented solutions have pushed the boundaries of modern and performance brake technology for more than two decades.

Phoenix, AZ

Baer.com

DRIVE SHAFT

A1 Drive Shaft

Notorious leaders in the driveline industry with a passion for customized projects.

Denver, CO

A1DriveShaft.com

FRONT AND REAR TIRES

Toyo Tires

Skillfully manufacturing state-of-the-art premium replacement tires for nearly every make and model, these tires are the preferred choice of car lovers.

Bartow County, GA

ToyoTires.com

1967 MUSTANG BODY

DynaCorn

Superior craftsmanship makes these restoration parts the top choice of car enthusiasts.

Camarillo, CA

Dynacorn.com

CUSTOM LEATHER AND SUEDE INTERIOR

Eddie’s Rods and Customs

Eddie’s unique interiors have been in hundreds of world-class cars, rods, and trucks, resulting in several award-winners—including the Thompson’s SEMA truck.

Pueblo, CO

EddiesRodsandCustoms.com

WIRING

Painless Performance products

Recognized by motorheads as the most prominent manufacturer of automotive wiring for the past 30 years.

Fort Worth, TX

PainlessPerformance.com

INTERIOR BILLET

Lokar Performance

Regarded as a leader in the automotive aftermarket category because of the quality and attention to detail they continually deliver.

Knoxville, TN

Lokar.com

RADIATOR

C&R Racing Inc.

Celebrated as North America’s unrivaled provider of broad-scope cooling needs.

Indianapolis, IN

Crracing.com

WHEELS

Raceline

Driven by a passion for performance, Raceline has been manufacturing and distributing the highest quality wheels in the industry for the last two decades.

Garden Grove, CA

racelinewheels.com

GAUGES

Dakota Digital

The best gauges, lighting, and control systems are designed here, moving the future of electronic instrumentation systems forward.

Sioux Falls, SD

dakotadigital.com

PAINT

PPG Paint

For 135 years, PPG has evolved the paint business working with partners to develop the best paint for every job.

Pittsburgh, PA

ppgpaints.com

TURBO ENGINE WORK

Vi Engineered

Custom engine work is this team’s specialty, with handmade solutions built in house for every project.

Denver, CO

viengineered.net

VENTS AND EMBLEMS

QC Quality Components

When a project comes in, this crew works diligently to meet and exceed each ask with the best customized solution, delivering top notch specialized automotive components.