Despite its discontinuation, Fast N' Loud continues to maintain its status as one of the most well-liked automotive television shows in recent years. Centered around Richard Rawlings and his Gas Monkey Garage situated in Dallas, Texas, the show's concept revolves around their activities. Recently, Rawlings has successfully sustained the garage's popularity through his YouTube channel.
During its time on Discovery, the show featured numerous exceptional builders apart from Rawlings. Among them was Aaron Kaufman, a skilled mechanic and a longstanding member of Gas Monkey Garage. Despite his departure from Gas Monkey Garage, Aaron continues to be a well-known personality in the automotive industry.
After his stint on the show, Kaufman embarked on his own journey, choosing a different path. Despite the remarkable progress made by Rawlings and his team, Kaufman, affectionately known as the bearded wonder, remains a beloved figure among car enthusiasts.
Kaufman had a long-standing presence on Fast N' Loud.
Kaufman, alongside Rawlings, was among the original members of the Fast N' Loud show. The show made its debut in 2012 and continued until June 2020 when Rawlings officially announced its conclusion.
As for Kaufman, he departed from the show in 2017 after an impressive six-year tenure. The story of how Kaufman joined the show is intriguing, beginning with a serendipitous encounter between him and Rawlings at a Dallas-based garage where Kaufman was employed. Recognizing Kaufman's exceptional skill in his trade, Rawlings extended an invitation for him to join Gas Monkey Garage.
Without hesitation, Kaufman embraced the opportunity and swiftly ascended the ranks, establishing himself as one of the foremost mechanics within the organization. Gas Monkey Garage, established in 2002, has spent over two decades crafting remarkable custom builds and restorations across North America. Kaufman captivated viewers of the show with his remarkable abilities, such as his knack for reconstructing vehicles from scattered pieces.
Over time, Kaufman assumed the role of lead mechanic, guiding the team in building and restoring vehicles for each week's episode. Frequently, he incorporated numerous modifications into the cars before Rawlings would take them to auction for profitable sales. Kaufman's skills proved invaluable even after his departure from the show, as he founded his own venture, Arclight Fabrications, in 2018. The business continues to thrive, with a strong emphasis on vintage Ford F-Series vehicles. However, what prompted Kaufman to leave Gas Monkey Garage remains an intriguing question.
What led Kaufman to conclude that it was the right moment to depart from Gas Monkey Garage?
Despite the strong bond between Kaufman and Rawlings showcased on Fast N' Loud, something prompted Kaufman to make the decision to depart. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't a heated argument or intense disagreement. Rather, it boiled down to Kaufman's aspirations outweighing those of the show.
In an interview with Art of Gears, Kaufman shed light on his departure, explaining that he desired to tackle larger-scale projects. He stated, "The tipping point, that's the bottom end of the type of cars I want to build. The difficulty level of the car surpasses what can be done on TV in time and budget... That was the point of contention, the crossroads. I wanted to build cars that were that big or even bigger."
Taking such a stance is entirely comprehensible. Television shows often dictate the direction and scope of a team's projects, requiring them to concentrate on smaller endeavors within a constrained timeframe. This limitation prevented Kaufman from embarking on the grand, ambitious adventures he had envisioned. Towards the end of the show, Rawlings himself might have felt a similar sentiment, as the YouTube platform provided him and the garage with greater autonomy and freedom compared to their time on Discovery.
Nevertheless, indications of discord within Gas Monkey Garage began to surface. While the rift didn't necessarily involve Kaufman and Rawlings directly, tensions brewed within the core of the team. Kaufman confirmed these suspicions during the interview, acknowledging the existence of some strained relationships and "personal and professional differences of opinion" within the garage. It was evident that things became challenging towards the conclusion of Kaufman's tenure with the garage.
What Kaufman Has Been Doing Since Leaving Gas Monkey Garage?
In addition to running his own business, Kaufman ventured into other television shows that showcased his exceptional talents. One of these shows was "Shifting Gears With Aaron Kaufman," where he pushed the boundaries of his skills as a mechanic and designer beyond what was seen on Fast N' Loud. Collaborating with a handpicked team of builders from various parts of the United States, each build aimed to maximize performance. Although the show has only aired two seasons so far, it received positive feedback from both critics and viewers.
Kaufman also headlined another show titled "Aaron Needs A Job," which debuted in 2019. This series showcased Kaufman taking on car builds and performing tasks outside his area of expertise. Beyond the realm of television, the bearded wonder engaged in racing activities, including participating in two rounds of the Stadium Super Trucks Series. As an avid enthusiast of all things on wheels, Kaufman achieved remarkable feats, such as driving the Ford F-1 race truck that shattered the Pikes Peak diesel record in 2020. He continued to drive the truck, which is owned by Scott Birdsall, in 2022. Unfortunately, the truck met with a severe accident during this year's Pikes Peak event, resulting in its destruction. Fortunately, Birdsall emerged unharmed from the incident.
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