Every time I see his shop in on Mad Fab or when I went in person I see very cool stuff in process but I never see cars done.I enjoy the hell out of seeing his work in process but I'd love to see some finished.
I got a folder for Brad on my site... it shows both in progress projects and finished cars. Click the card for more...
http://public.fotki.com/Rikster/11_car_photos/beautiful_custom_cars/brad-masterson-customs/ Damn that's a cl***y way to post a link Mr. Hoving!
I was told by a friend about this and thought I should explain.. Most all the cars and trucks I work on are for friends of mine. If they were not my friend before we become friends later. Some have started customs with big plans and then life just gets in the way.. Divorce, kids, economy and everything in between. Not to mention that old cars are just that... Old. And ****ed up. You end up spending allot of time just making it look like it was never damaged, let alone convince em to do cool custom ****. I usually end up doing a bunch of **** for free just trying to keep going and see the car finished. (tiago ranchero clone) I have a hard time charging friends. I also just hate money. I hate collecting and hate paying bills. As a skateboarder and growing up listening to punk rock I just don't care about much, at the same time being fascinated with the history and style of mid century custom cars,
They say when life gives you lemons you should make lemon-aid... Well what do you do when life gives you a steaming hot pile of ****. Well that's pretty much what happened. I was getting tired of working so much for basically nothing, just to keep doing it. I was thinking of taking some time off and running away with my girlfriend Carmen, when she was shot and killed. It all but destroyed me. It was the most ****ed thing that has or will ever happen to me hands down. I did not want to live. I don't know if there is a god but if there is he is a ****ing ***hole for letting **** like that happen. But I prayed any ways... To just die in my sleep so I wouldn't have to deal with the pain and maybe even get to see her again. I basically took from then until now off. I kinda hid out.. Just drinking and doing drugs and not really caring about anything. Especially ****ing cars. It all seemed so dumb. Why work so hard to pay $5 a gallon just to Cruz around for what. Any how the smoke is slowly starting to clear and unfortunately life goes on. So I hope that explains why cars haven't just been flying out the door of my shop.
Brad keep at it man something similar happened to me a while back and i did the exact same thing. ****ty things happen to good people but it does get easier. Brad
Still bummed I couldn't make it to this years fire party. I think it was 2009 when I saw the Penny Loafer at the Sac Autorama, was blown away with the crazy interior and the perfect color and scallops. Your Chevy still had the grey ripped interior but was hands down my favorite. If you make it up to Sac this February I need to talk to you about a monster shirt I want you to do for me. Keep at it, if you get rich building cars your doing something wrong. Helping friends should be first, look at the name you have made for yourself with a lead paddle and a oxy/acet torch.
This is like a train wreck, I just kept coming back to it. I wish I knew the words to offer some comfort but it is painful to feel your hurt. I wish you all the best and can only hope that time indeed will ease some the pain. I am sorry for your loss.
..really good to hear the smoke is clearing for you, it will take time, go easy & hang in there!! You have untold 1000's of people that enjoy your work. You are a master! I love watching your magic happen at Salina each year. Good luck to you. You'll be in the thoughts & prayers of many!
Sorry to hear that brad, yes there is a GOD, sometimes I think the same thing. How could bad things like that happen. But I have seen a lot of crazy stuff happen to my family and friends,that I wondered if life could ever get back to normal. It always amazes me, it does. Time will help heal your broken heart, find what you are p***ionate about and let it guide the rest of your life. You have inspired many people including myself. God loves you and me even if we don't always understand why things happen the way they do. I do know it does get better, please trust me on this. LIFE is worth living. Shannon...
Brad, your work is an inspiration to all, especially me being so young in a hobby of mostly older people and big bucks. Hold in there. The pain never goes away, but keep your mind focused and things will begin to look better. Lifes **** and then you die. Why not pay 5 bucks a gallon and have some fun in a *****in car while your at it?
Sorry for your loss Brad. I like your thoughts on the money end of this business and charging friends is difficult. After a house remodel I found out who my friends were (way less friends than I thought I had) so now only one guy gets "free" work.
Dude you are a ****ing ***hole. Don't blame God for a very unfortunate thing that happened to you. Find the strength to keep going in positive things like the sound of uerothane on smooth pool concrete, or the feel of bias plys meandering down some old road in the hills. Take your five bucks and buy some gas instead of some weed and start living again. Im sure Carmen wouldn't want your heart filled with hate. There are people that have left me and its really tough but I will kick it with them again if I live it the right way right now. Ill say a prayer for you like it or not, hope it helps. You have talent, don't waste it.
He didnt blame god... but he sure made a point. Its easy to say everythig happens for a reason when its not your girlfriend that caught a bullet. Brad man, i totally feel everything you say, growin up in punk rock influenced the way i feel about the world a lot. and i too have difficulties chargin people, let alone friends. You made a name for yourself thou, and quite a reputation, so i guess you are doin something the right way. Wish you out of this depression soon, ****tiest thing that could have happened no doubt. Hang in there man.
sorry for your loss, you are friends with people I call my friends- so you are solid in my book. no need to have cars flying out of the shop to validate your skills- we are already sold- stay possitive and keep on doing what you do good things will come your way
Check out this clip I produced about Brad's shop. There are some great examples of Brad's work. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdj_h1pIWHg&list=UUvRdlShr7bd3ZQ5P4TrhJ3Q&index=11&feature=plcp Brad has been my friend since '03 when he helped me with research to produce the dvd Barris Kustoms of the 50's, I could not have done it without him, he knows more about kustoms than anybody I know and has more talent building kustoms than anyone I know!
so sorry for your loss Brad. I know words can't even discribe what you went threw and are still going threw. But the pain will get less and less. Drinking and doing drugs as you know only fogs it for a bit wont even go into that you already know. I am glad your getting back on track your are one of my favorite builders. After seeing your fleetline it made me go out and get one it so smooth and sutle just makes a true 50's custom. Last words is just keep doing what you are doing and it will all work out. I know so many of us would give up everything to get to work under Bill he is a true master and now you are. God put you in the postion you are in now for a reason just ride it out. Keep the killer customs comming out of koolsville.
Brad didnt know me for ****. I was just some dude who wanted to see what he was up to while I visited LA last january. Spent half a day with him and Janne, talking cars and life. He showed me his whole shop, introduced me to Bill Hines and some local bottle colllectors in the back alley. Cant wait to go back and visit again, Brad is cool. Thanks. Slim
Yeah.. Last time I was at sacto it was rad.Carmen and I cruzed the fastback with tim sutton in the back. I had five cars displayed that year. I will go this year but no booth or anything. Here's another thing that's kinda discouraging when you spend yer life building custom cars... I did allot of work on that car only to cut it up with the torch in basket ball size chunks and toss it in a truck bed to be recycled.
**** dude, I was just watching Mad Fabricators 6, no ********, your two parts on there were pretty ****ing inspiring. You are a talented ****. I aint gonna put you down for getting ****ed up or blaming things on imaginery people but I will say this, push ahead. You got the skills to do it and apparently teach it. Yeah life throws **** at you sometimes but from what I have learned, pick up and move forward. Now I am not saying I have been hit as hard as you and I am sure its really ****ed up what happened. But dont waste it! **** I would sweep the floors in your shop just to pick up on some of the **** you do. Thats just me.
****, this world ****s at times. Ya gotta pull it together while you are healthy, which I'm ***uming you are. Your talent can be wiped away in a second, just the same way the people you love can. I truly hope you have a better year in 2012. Stay safe.
By the way, lets do this guy some justice and show his work. I dont wanna rob them off his Facebook. LOL
Sue me! LOL I figured I'd post some of the eye candy that I've drooled over while stalking this guys work like a Justin Bieber fan on Facebook. I figured I'd focus only on the progress shots that others may have not seen. Look at roof and trunk on that Buick. ******* !
Holy **** Brad ...what can I say that hasnt been mentioned...unfortunately life does go on but you have got lots of talent to take advantage of it...please keep at it for us and more importantly for Carmen....
Yeah, its pity what happened to that shoebox, but at least the 2 people that were in are ok now. Mack, thanx for the pics, them antennas on the mesh are far out! Any shots of the riviera w/ extended fenders?
The Jalopy Journal
