Cast of Gas Monkey Garage: Where Are They Now?
When Discovery Channel premiered Fast N' Loud in 2012, it transformed a gritty Dallas hot rod shop into a global automotive empire. At the center of the show was the unforgettable cast of Gas Monkey Garage—a ragtag crew of brilliant fabricators, meticulous painters, and savvy operators led by the loud, beer-drinking entrepreneur Richard Rawlings. For 16 seasons, viewers watched this crew resurrect rusted barn finds under impossible deadlines.
However, running a high-stress garage under reality television lights took its toll. Over the years, fan favorites parted ways with the shop, launching their own ventures or stepping away from the spotlight entirely. Here is a comprehensive look at the key players who defined Gas Monkey Garage and where they are today.
The Core Duo: Visionary vs. Master Builder
The early seasons of Fast N' Loud gained massive popularity largely because of the dynamic between owner Richard Rawlings and his lead fabricator, Aaron Kaufman. Their contrasting personalities—Rawlings the charismatic businessman and Kaufman the purist craftsman—drove both the shop's output and television drama.
Richard Rawlings: The Unstoppable Frontman
Richard Rawlings founded Gas Monkey Garage in Dallas, Texas, in 2002 after selling his printing and advertising business. His business model was simple: buy low, build fast, and sell high at premier collector car auctions like Barrett-Jackson.
Since Fast N' Loud concluded its television run in 2020, Rawlings has not slowed down. He pivoted the Gas Monkey brand into a direct-to-consumer digital powerhouse. Today, Rawlings runs a massively successful YouTube channel, hosts multimillion-dollar vehicle giveaways, and invests in commercial real estate, restaurants, and spirits. He remains the sole owner and chief promoter of the Gas Monkey empire.
Aaron Kaufman: The Master Fabricator
Known affectionately as "The Bearded Wonder," Aaron Kaufman was the mechanical soul of Gas Monkey Garage. His unmatched ability to redesign suspensions, engineer custom chassis, and fabricate one-off parts elevated Rawlings' wild project ideas into high-end, drivable hot rods.
Kaufman famously left Gas Monkey Garage in early 2017 (Season 12). Citing creative exhaustion, relentless production deadlines, and a desire to build vehicles to his own exacting standards rather than for rapid auction turnaround, Kaufman struck out on his own. He went on to star in his own Discovery series, Shifting Gears with Aaron Kaufman, and launched Arclight Fabrication, a specialty company dedicated to manufacturing high-performance parts for classic 1963–1979 Ford F-100 pickup trucks.
Notable Members of the Cast of Gas Monkey Garage
While Rawlings and Kaufman carried the marquee, a dedicated supporting ensemble made the builds possible and gave the show its comedic, blue-collar charm.
Christie Brimberry: The Office Manager
Often referred to as the glue holding the garage together, Christie Brimberry served as the office manager and logistical coordinator. She had the unenviable task of keeping Rawlings organized, tracking budgets, ordering hard-to-find car parts, and managing the chaotic front office.
Brimberry faced a severe personal challenge in 2016 when she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. After surgery and radiation therapy, she successfully entered remission. She remains a close confidante to Rawlings and continues to work with him across various Gas Monkey projects while remaining active on social media sharing family and travel updates.
KC Mathieu: The Paint Specialist
KC Mathieu was the go-to paint and body man during the peak seasons of Fast N' Loud. A childhood friend of Rawlings, Mathieu owned his own shop but was brought in to handle Gas Monkey's most critical high-end paint jobs. His flawless finishes earned the garage multiple record sales at auction.
Mathieu stepped away from the television show in 2015. The demanding filming schedule kept him away from his growing family, prompting him to dedicate his full attention to his own successful business, KC's Paint Shop in Fort Worth, Texas. His shop continues to produce award-winning custom paint and bodywork for hot rods across the country.
Mike Coy: The Paint & Body Tech
Following shifts in the crew's roster, Mike Coy joined the shop as a key bodywork technician and painter. Known for his dry wit and extensive experience in the motorcycle and automotive custom world, Coy quickly became a core cast member. After his time with Gas Monkey, Coy continued his work in automotive painting and customization, frequently appearing at car shows and working on custom motorcycle builds.
Jason Aker: The Mustang and Restoration Guru
Brought in to manage high-stakes, concours-level restorations, Jason Aker brought deep technical knowledge, particularly regarding classic Ford Mustangs and Shelby models. His no-nonsense approach often clashed with Rawlings' tight timelines, but his standards ensured top-tier auction results. Aker has continued his work in high-end vehicle restoration and consulting within the collector car community.
Dennis Collins: The Lifelong Friend and Business Partner
While not a mechanic on the shop floor, Dennis Collins was an indispensable recurring cast member. Owner of Collins Bros Jeep and a long-time automotive entrepreneur, Collins frequently partnered with Rawlings to purchase collections, hunt down rare cars in barns, and co-invest in high-risk flips.
Today, Collins remains an influential figure in the collector automotive industry. He runs the popular YouTube channel Coffee Walk, where he documents his nationwide travels finding and rescuing historic sports cars, Shelby Mustangs, and classic Jeeps.
Memorable Recurring Characters
Part of the charm of Gas Monkey Garage was its extended network of Dallas-area specialists who frequently appeared on screen:
- Sue Martin: The spirited owner of ASM Auto Upholstery. Martin became a fan favorite for her feisty negotiations with Rawlings and her unmatched skill at stitching pristine custom interiors under tight deadlines.
- Scotty Ern: The early-season shop manager who helped keep builds on schedule before moving on to pursue independent restoration projects.
- Charles Cimino & Tony Cano: Talented fabricators and body techs who contributed significant wrench time on complex builds throughout the mid-to-late seasons of the series.
Why Did the Original Crew Break Apart?
Reality television shows often amplify tension, but the challenges at Gas Monkey Garage were very real. The primary catalysts behind crew departures were:
- Production Burnout: Building a show-quality hot rod normally takes six months to a year. Gas Monkey crews were frequently forced to complete full frame-off restorations in two to three weeks to meet filming schedules.
- Artistic Disagreements: Skilled artisans like Aaron Kaufman and KC Mathieu prioritized perfection and bespoke engineering, whereas the television premise relied on speed, budget discipline, and rapid auction flips.
- Independent Ambition: The massive platform of Discovery Channel gave several cast members the visibility they needed to scale their own shops and pursue independent careers without television network interference.
Gas Monkey Garage Today
Although Fast N' Loud is no longer producing new episodes on cable, Gas Monkey Garage is far from quiet. The facility in Dallas remains operational, hosting private events, building high-profile custom projects, and releasing long-form video builds online.
The cast of Gas Monkey Garage revolutionized how mainstream audiences view automotive restoration. While the original team has scattered across their own distinct paths, their collective work on screen helped set a new benchmark for custom hot rod culture worldwide.
