Josh Rodriguez: Custom Classic Car Painter / Manchaca Springs Saloon Owner / South Austin Baby

@manchaca_springs_saloon

The scene:
We are in Manchaca, Texas (South Austin) sitting at an old wooden table inside the saloon (where we have taken at least one shot of tequila once upon a time…).  This place is what I would consider the ideal bar: decorated all over with badass collected artifacts, huge outdoor space with a stage for live music, and food trucks. Basically, one could live here. And Josh almost does. Not only is he here daily, but he lives down the road.  Join us in the saloon for the story of where Josh came from and how he ended up sitting across from me.

Highlights:
+ The annual “Git Down” classic car show at the saloon
+ Likes entertaining
+ A BBQ joint became the saloon
+ Business name: Rodriguez Rod and Cycles
+ Started painting lowrider bicycles when he was 13
+ 1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe is his daily beater (it’s gorgeous)
+ Built every bike he ever had from scratch
+ Had his own TV show on the Discovery Channel: Texas Car Wars
+ Now he’s ready to chill (and wouldn’t do TV life again)
+ His uncle gave him his first paint gun
+ First car at 15: ’77 Monte Carlo dropped to the ground, primer grey with a red velvet interior
+ Lots of drag races, way too fast on motorcycles
+ Has taught a few painters - those who showed genuine interest
+ Grew up in South Austin - was the cool spot back in the 80’s
+ Manchaca is the last part of South Austin that feels like it hasn’t changed
+ Manchaca is in Travis County, not part of Austin City (so, still the wild west)
+ The history of Manchaca and the springs/Onion Creek dates to the 1400’s
+ Has found over 1000 arrowheads in the area since he was a kid
+ Grew up across from the green belt (literally a paradise)
+ Growing up shooting bb guns
+ Lost an eye at 4 years old (not from a bb gun, it made his other eye stronger)
+ Making OCD work for you - developing an acute sense of detail
+ Being a big risk-taker
+ “Nobody ever wakes up in the morning and says, “Man, I’m glad I did that cocaine.”
+ Being a fighter, staying one step ahead, nobody else gets the last word
+ Doing a lot for your community, and your community helping you
+ Grew up in a house full of people, and then invited all the neighbors over :)
+ Growing up fast (too fast)
+ He’s an old soul, living young soul lessons (over and over)
+ Making mistakes, recognizing them, and choosing better

A taste:
“I grew up in South Austin…it was really the cool spot in Austin back in the ’80’s during my era of growing up. Everybody was wearing cut-off blue jeans and had their hair cut long and drank a lot of beer and sat underneath all the trees at every park you could find. And nobody got in trouble or got fucked with.”

Favorite Sayings:
“Higher than giraffe pussy.”
“You should only regret something once.”
"To thine own self be true."
"Always keep your mind open - there’s always two sides to the story."
"Keep your eyes open, and your ear to the ground."
"Be grateful for every new day."