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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

Mechanic, TV Host Lands Garage Gig

Industrial Sun Valley is not a typical place where you’d find a veteran TV personality. But that’s exactly where Bodie Stroud still finds himself as the latest season of reality series “American Restoration” wraps up this month on cable channel History. Stroud, a vehicle customization and restoration professional, has operated BS Industries Inc. in Sun Valley for almost a decade and has spent much of that time in front of a camera to publicize his shop’s work. For the seventh season of “American Restoration,” Stroud’s first, the producers changed the format from a single restoration shop to five, including Stroud’s. He has been included in all of the 43-minute episodes that have aired so far. Stroud hopes the added exposure results in more work for his shop and staff. “People know who you are,” the 46-year-old said. “Marketing is what you do this stuff for.” Stroud is no stranger to TV and media appearances. In 2014, his customization work was featured in all 16 episodes of “Rock My RV,” in which Stroud appeared with rock singer Bret Michaels and built motor homes. His other turns on TV include “Monster Garage” on Discovery Channel and “Hot Rod TV,” on Speed TV, in which he made custom vehicles for actors Johnny Depp and Tim Allen. Also, he has a radio and podcast show, “In the Garage with Bodie Stroud” on iHeart Radio. Stroud said the goal of his media career is not to become a TV star but to boost business and achieve financial security. “I don’t need to feed my ego,” he said. “It’s strictly a business move.” The BS Industries garage houses two of the cars featured on “American Restoration.” One is a fire engine red 1963 Ford Galaxie that technicians outfitted with a custom chassis and suspension system, two of the garage’s specialties. The second star vehicle is a 1941 Plymouth Super Deluxe made for Carl’s Jr. to celebrate the fast-food chain’s 75th anniversary. The car also has the custom chassis and suspension, in addition to a 5.7 liter hemi engine and an interior design and color scheme created by Bodie’s shop. At any one time, there are up to 25 vehicles the staff is working on in the garage with prices that extend into hundreds of thousands of dollars. Stroud said he used to take on projects with limited budgets but has given those up to concentrate on more costly full buildouts. – Mark R. Madler

Mark Madler
Mark Madler
Mark R. Madler covers aviation & aerospace, manufacturing, technology, automotive & transportation, media & entertainment and the Antelope Valley. He joined the company in February 2006. Madler previously worked as a reporter for the Burbank Leader. Before that, he was a reporter for the City News Bureau of Chicago and several daily newspapers in the suburban Chicago area. He has a bachelor’s of science degree in journalism from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

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