SEMA was canceled as the world stopped to deal with COVID.

When SEMA was canceled it affected a lot of people worldwide. The largest aftermarket trade show succumbed to the COVID pandemic just like so many other events. We SAT DOWN WITH FABRICATOR, Arco TO LEARN MORE ABOUT the recently christened, Rogue. WE LEARN ABOUT HIS INSPIRATIONS, HIS challenges and triumphs leading up to the show’s cancelation. we follow up with a brief interview to check in and see how MN Outlaw Customs is fairing and take look at the craftsman’s labor of love.

In a modest garage in Minnesota, a master fabricator continues to craft his vision and waits for the world stage to open again.

To catch you up, back in 2015, Bryan Dagel hatched the idea of the RATical Build-Off on a whim at SEMA and created the SEMA RATical Build-Off Drive-Off. The idea was that 20 hand-picked contestants would vie for the top spot. To win, they had to submit concept drawings and be able to finish within the build time line. Added to the challenge was that the vehicles must complete the drive-off portion of the contest from Lincoln, Nebraska to Las Vegas – over 1,400 miles!

Drive Magazine met Heidi and fabricator, Arco at the 2019 SEMA. Their vehicle concept and place in the RATical Build-Off competition made it an easy choice to follow the build. Heidi worked to promote, as Arco fleshed out his vision. Many months would pass, and we published the build as it went from a simple sketch that began to take shape as Arco hammered, welded, and crafted what was to become Rogue.

When SEMA was officially canceled, I reached out to get their take on what was next. This article shows the progress up until the world came to a halt and we turned the world’s attention to a microscopic virus that continues to affect us all.

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D! Many of us have moments that define us later. Regarding your fabrication skills, can you tell us who your influencers were and if there was one person that set you upon your journey?

A: I was influenced in metalworking and fabrication by my dad. He was into the old hot rods and stuff and he wanted everything done a certain way. I wanted to go outside-the-box and chop the tops off cars after I had been reading Hot Rod Magazines back in the day. I got heavily into old cars and custom cars and chopped my first car at 15 years old. Well, needless to say I screwed it all up. But after that I started working with metal.

Then I got the chance to meet all the customizing legends in California where I lived. Legends like Gene Winfield, Larry Watson, Bill Hines, Frank Livingston, and George Barris. I got to know these guys really well. Gene Winfield and Bill Hines kind of took me under their wing and started talking to me at these car shows. They were all about the young guys learning their lost art! Every chance I got I talked with these older guys about metalwork and full custom cars. It was very inspirational for me.

I’ve always wanted a hand built/coach built car, so I decided to hand make my own “anti hot rod”.

D!: That’s a long list of talent. Who would you credit as your favorite fabricators?

A: My favorite fabricators are Gene Winfield and Ian Roussel. They both think outside-the-box, and both build radical cars. Bill Hines will always be one of my favs because he let my son drive his car “ The Bat” across the KKOA MERCED car show when my son was very young.

One time, Gene Winfield sold me a 1950 mercury at the Turlock swap meet in Turlock California. He wanted to leave the swap meet and had a parts car he didn’t want to take back home with him. He asked what I had in my pocket. I said 25 bucks. He handed me the pink slip to the junked out 1950 Mercury. It was the coolest thing ever!

D!: Your Rogue project has an artistic quality to its stance and character. Where do you draw such inspiration?

A: The Rogue project was built because I’ve always wanted a Delahaye or a Bugatti, or some beautiful European style car like those. I’ve always wanted a hand built/coach built car. So I decided to hand make my own “anti hot rod”. I’ve always loved beautiful flowing cars, and huge fenders, with long hoods.

D!: How has the pandemic affected the build?

A: The pandemic has affected the SEMA build a lot. It’s been impossible to get people to call us back or to get new sponsors for this build, even though there is a lot of great exposure. There has been a lot of delays in shipping. We’re still waiting for the engine and transmission, but I know those people will come through because they are solid guys. It’s also affected our funds for the build because our regular shop income is just not there.

D!: What’s next?

A: The next thing we will do is pull the body-off Rogue and finish the frame, engine, and trans. Keep watching our YouTube channel for Rogue updates.

The next car that were building in the shop is a vintage style boat tail speedster. Its already started, and looks amazing! We will also be doing customers builds, as well as our shop builds.

D!: Looking forward to seeing the next phase. Keep us all in the loop.

Contact Arco and Heidi to learn about sponsorship opportunities for your business.

MN Outlaw Customs

(218) 244-2186
mnoutlawcustoms@gmail.com
www.mnoutlawcustoms.com
Follow the build on social media, and here in Drive!
Youtube: Outlaw Edge
Instagram: outlawedge_bladeworks
Facebook: MN Outlaw Customs

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