Kevin and Monica Nichols spent eighteen years building a 1954 Chevrolet Bel Air named Marilyn. In this episode of It's All About the Build, we sit down with two people who are about as far from professional car builders as you can get. Their day jobs have nothing to do with hot rods, they don't own a shop, and yet what they built together might be one of the cleanest 1954 Chevy Bel Airs you'll ever see.

You'll hear how Kevin bought this car in 1996 for a thousand dollars out of a barn in Fort Wayne Indiana, why he went after a four door when the rest of the industry was chasing Tri Five Bel Airs, and how he pieced this build together one JC Whitney catalog and swap meet at a time in a garage he didn't even own.

We get into what Monica has meant to this build from day one, how she went from writing the checks to loving the car as much as Kevin does, and the paint that she gifted him that turned out to be the only thing on this car Kevin didn't touch himself.

You'll find out why Marilyn has been quietly winning top awards at every show she has pulled up to for the last thirteen years, why nobody in this industry has heard her story until now, and what it was like when Melanie and I selected Kevin and Monica for Best of Show at a car show we were guest judging this past June.

We also spend time in the garage where Marilyn sleeps. It's a time capsule of 1950s hot rod culture and Chevrolet Bel Air memorabilia that is worth the episode on its own.

This one is for anyone with an old Chevy or Ford or Mopar sitting in the corner of the garage collecting dust. If the fire has gone out on your build, this episode is for you.

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or anywhere you stream music. Watch it on YouTube.

It's All About the Build.

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Check out the full walk around video from the link below!!

https://youtu.be/lkk3cdhewD0?si=gL0hlSLNzYyRsCzc

Check out Kevin's YouTube Page Here

https://youtube.com/@keptihomeinspections?si=EHC2Qhnj9KLAZ_Qp

Dan and Hilary Fournier of Motor City Metalcraft sat down with Melanie and I at their shop in Mount Clemens, Michigan for one of the most honest conversations we've ever had on this podcast. We get into what it actually looks like to run a full custom and restoration shop the right way, without the shortcuts most of this industry takes.

Dan opens up about growing up under his father, one of the most respected metal fabricators to ever come out of this trade, and what it meant to learn the craft alongside a legend. Hilary walks us through her journey from a 17 year old intern to building her own following of hundreds of thousands under the name autobodybarbie, all while doing the actual work with her own two hands.

Together they talk about the team they've built, the family they treat them as, and why they refuse to compromise on their standards even when it costs them.If you've ever wondered what it really takes to build cars for a living or what separates the shops doing it right from the ones cutting corners, this episode is for you.

For the Money. For the Glory. For the Fun. And as always, pinky's out.

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In this episode of It’s All About the Build, Elliot and Melanie sit down with VooDoo Larry for an in-depth, no-filter conversation about a life shaped by kustom culture.

From early influences and the pull toward building, to the music, art, and attitude that defined an entire timeline in automotive history, Larry breaks down what it really means to build with intention and stay true to your vision. Almost born in the wrong era, Larry has spent his life carrying the spirit of 1950s kustom culture into the modern day — blending traditional roots with a mindset that refuses to fade.

This episode digs into the realities behind the reputation — the choices, the challenges, the pushback, and the lessons learned along the way. It’s an honest look at the mindset required to build not just cars, but a life around creativity, independence, and conviction.

If you’re into kustom cars, automotive history, music-driven culture, or the stories behind the people who helped shape the scene, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

🎧 Tune in now, subscribe, and follow It's All About The Build!BE PART OF THE "IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BUILD" Podcast Community Group Page. Here you'll find everything behind the scenes, upcoming episode information and all things "It's All About The Build" Podcast Related.

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Help Support the Podcast and Grab your It's All About The Build Podcast and I.B.F.HotRods Swag here!!

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