Rod Emory's Def Leppard Porsche Outlaw

**Spike Feresten** (0:05)
Rod, good to see you again, man.

**Rod Emory** (0:06)
Good to see you, Spike.

**Spike Feresten** (0:07)
When we were on the show, maybe in September of last year?

**Rod Emory** (0:09)
It was.

**Spike Feresten** (0:10)
It was September. And you, if I'm not mistaken, were moving the whole operation to Kentucky. Where are we in Kentucky?

**Rod Emory** (0:16)
We're getting there. No, we aren't actually moving the workshop until about this time next year.

**Spike Feresten** (0:21)
Oh, okay.

**Rod Emory** (0:22)
So, but we were just in the process of getting our permits when we talked. We've got all of our permits finalized. And since then, we've been moving, we moved about 90,000 cubic yards of dirt. So, you know, that's a lot of dirt.
And, you know, it looks like the site of like a new Amazon building right now. You know, when you drive by those sites that you're getting ready to clear that.

**Spike Feresten** (0:44)
So, is it pro tip? Do you think it's a data center or something?

**Rod Emory** (0:48)
No, we're doing okay. So, it's right outside of the town of Wrightwood. So, it's up in the mountains.

**Spike Feresten** (0:53)
Oh, nice.

**Rod Emory** (0:53)
On Angel's Crest Highway in between Wrightwood and Big Bear.
And yeah, right now we're pouring foundations and doing retaining walls. And we'll start doing the main big building in about September. And then we'll start moving May, June of next year.

**Spike Feresten** (1:09)
Wow. Well, I've got a lot to talk about. I've got a ton of questions from your fans.
But why don't you tell us what's going on at the shop first? What is summer like for Rod Emory? Does it ever stop for you? Do you get to take a break?

**Rod Emory** (1:24)
It never stops. Well, since I was here last, I became a grandfather.

**Spike Feresten** (1:28)
Oh, what? Grandpa.

**Rod Emory** (1:30)
Look at that. Which is the coolest.

**Spike Feresten** (1:32)
It's the greatest.

**Rod Emory** (1:32)
I have to start there. Because it's the greatest.
As you know, I lost my father in August of last year. And that was a trying time for me. I mean, I built, even though I didn't take over my dad's business, my grandfather built a foundation that I was able to start my business on. And I've spent my life honoring the work that they've done. And my grandfather passed away 20 years ago. And my dad, last summer.
And it just kind of forced me into a bit of a reset. Right. Both health, mindset, everything.

**Spike Feresten** (2:08)
And what did you change about your health?

**Rod Emory** (2:11)
What did I change about my health?

**Spike Feresten** (2:12)
Yeah, you've always struck me as very kind of in shape.

**Rod Emory** (2:14)
Yeah, but I'm about 15 pounds lighter than I was. And my blood pressure is lower. And, you know, I'm very physical in the shop. I'm working all day long, but, you know, if you put the wrong stuff in your body, it... In a shop.

**Spike Feresten** (2:28)
Like if I came over to you, I'd want to be eating sloppy Joe's all day long.
Wrenching and eating sloppy Joe's. That sounds romantic, right? It is. And it gets kind of hard to order a salad around a bunch of guys who have got grease on their face and what's Rod doing?

**Rod Emory** (2:44)
But you can reward yourself and you can go out and you can have a great time.

**Spike Feresten** (2:48)
Well, that's good.

**Rod Emory** (2:49)
But, you know, I watched my dad's, you know, health decline real quick.

**Spike Feresten** (2:53)
Yes.

**Rod Emory** (2:54)
And it just kind of shook me up a bit. And...

**Spike Feresten** (2:56)
Yes, it does.

**Rod Emory** (2:57)
So did a reset and bringing this amazing little guy back, my grandson into my life, just immediately brought that spark back in me.

**Spike Feresten** (3:07)
Yeah. Yeah.

**Rod Emory** (3:09)
So, yeah. So now the, you know, the future is bright. The next... Another generation of, you know, Emory has been born. It is.

**Spike Feresten** (3:18)
And, you know, for those who don't know, and many do, it starts with Neil Emery, correct? Very custom shop in Burbank in the 40s.

**Rod Emory** (3:26)
In the 40s.

**Spike Feresten** (3:27)
Right. He gives birth to your dad, Gary, and in the 60s, and he has Parts Obsolete, bed business. That's kind of my entry point. Porsche Parts Obsolete. What are these guys doing, collecting these parts and selling it? Is that a real business? Apparently it is.
And then Gary has this guy. I mean, is Zane feeling pressure, your son, to then carry on, carry the torch? Are you putting pressure on him?