A Family Run Business

Matthew Means, President

Matthew Means is an extremely passionate artist, visionary and businessman. He has grown Anaheim Rod and Custom from a single stall shop that he rented from his friend Doyle in Fullerton California in 1998 to what it is today.  After a couple years at Doyle's, Matt rented a small shop of his own in Anaheim, California. With this first shop, Matt began establishing his place in the Southern California car culture and building his legacy. Most of the first projects were simple repairs or small restorations. After the first eight years of owning his own business, Matt decided to work for some other shops for a few years. It was during this time that Matt met and became friends with the well known painter, Tom Prewitt. Driven by creativity and a love for anything automotive, Tom and Matt worked together for the next six years by opening Department of Customz, in Anaheim CA. Determined and hard working, even during the difficult economy, they prospered.  Together they grew the Department of Customz to two full-size shops. Here they compiled many high-quality and award winning projects, like the Platinum Bomb and Nelly's Ford Flex featured at the 2011 SEMA Show. At the pinnacle of their growth together they completed a restoration of Tucker # 41, now considered the nicest in the world! Wanting to continue to build his own brand and style, Matt decided to branch out on his own again in 2014, opening Anaheim Rod and Custom with his wife (Becky Sue Means), son (Atom Ford Means), and daughter (Presley Mae Means) by his side.

Becky Sue Means, Vice President

This hot rod mamma joined the A.R.C. team in 2015. She has 17+ years work experience in a variety of customer service rolls, including retail management, food service industry, and most recently property management. Rather than return to her office job after maternity leave, Becky was thrilled at the opportunity to join forces with her husband in the automotive industry! Becky Sue graduated with honors from California State University Fullerton, with a Bachelors Degree in Photo Communications. She is a freelance writer with articles published in numerous automotive magazines. In addition to writing and photography, Becky Sue has modeling experience also. Her photos have been featured in catalogs and advertisements for Lucky 13 Clothing Company, Hot Topic, Steady Clothing and Chicago Pneumatic Tools as well as on the covers of Ol' Skool Rodz Magazine, issue #65 and Blacktop Magazine. Becky is a car crazy gal, in addition to modeling with, photographing and writing about cars, she enjoys racing and wrenching on her 1961 Mercury Comet. She even founded a hands-on all-girls car club, the Gasoline Girls, in 2010. Like Becky, these ladies have a thirst for knowledge and the desire to do the job themselves… or at least try! To contact Becky please email: Beckysue@anaheimrodandcustom.com

Atom Ford Means, Shop Helper

Our motivation, our inspiration, our bundle of joy, Atom Ford Means.  Atom came into our lives August 27th, 2014 and spent nearly every day of the first two years of his life at the shop.  It was when we found out that we were expecting our baby boy that we decided to rebrand, restructure and remodel our company.  From young age, it was apparent that Atom loved cars just about as much as his parents do! He has a thirst for knowledge and loves all things vintage! This kiddo would rather visit a museum than play video games. At family cruises or car shows, Atom can not stop telling strangers about his Dad’s Lincoln or his Mom’s Fairlane. Atom is an outgoing, well spoken, skilled builder, with a keen eye for detail--Just like his father. He has always been building with whatever he could get his hands on: blocks, Lincon Logs, magnatiles, and his favirotes are circuits and LEGOS. We are all looking forward to the day that Atom starts building cars along side the rest of the team!

Presley Mae Means, Heiress

The youngest and fairest of them all, this little princess was born on July 18th, 2017.  Presley was named after the King of Rock and Roll when we were trying to think of a good name for our 1960 MKV. Prelsey is very artistic and creative! She loves music, art, and musicals, especailly old Elvis Presley movies and Grease! Her favorite place in the shop is the paint area where she enjoys seeing paint colors mixed. Her favorite childhood bedtime story is A Little Golden Book called The Color Kittens, published in 1949. Presley enjoys practicing with masking tape and helping wet sand when ever we will allow it. She adores the shop dogs, Hudson & Precious, and has an admoration for cats. Yes, she can be distracting, but also so full of spirit and joy. Having Presley around not only keeps the Mean's family close, but it also reinforces the positive work energy that we strive to create at Anaheim Rod and Custom.

Drew Westphal

Paint Specialist

Date of Hire: May 2020

Hometown: Fullerton, California

Siblings: One brother, Jeff

At what age/what got you into wanting to work on cars? I’ve always been interested in cars because of the blending of at and mechanics. I started working on them at 16 in high school autobody class when I inherited my grandmother’s 1967 Pontiac Tempest.

Influences, mentors, or car culture icons that you look up to: I’m influenced by Von Dutch, Big Daddy Roth, Dean Moon, Gene Winfield, and Indian Larry.

Favorite car and why? First thing that comes to mind is a Continental Mark II, beautifully designed blend of European and American style. I’m also fond of Duesenbergs and 50’s / 60’s concept cars.

Favorite aspect of the automotive restoration process: Seeing the finished product.

Hobbies: Skateboarding / Making things.

Tell us about your personal project vehicle: Gold 1964 Ford Thunderbird. Got it a few years ago and have been enjoying wrenching on it and cruising around in the results of my effort.

On a Sunday you can be found: Working on a personal project or at the beach.

Patrick Robinson

Automotive Restoration Technician

Date of Hire: March 2024

Hometown: Orange County, California.

Siblings: Two brothers.

At what age/what got you into wanting to work on cars? I have always been interested in cars, particularly hot rods and their restoration.

Influences, mentors, or car culture icons that you look up to: Prior to my technical training, I was self-taught in all things automotive. Therefore, I admire other self-taught mechanics and people who are equally as passionate about learning and doing things the right way, as I am.

Favorite car and why? 1965 Chevelle, because it’s the smaller 1st gen Chevelle before they went mainstream.

Favorite aspect of the automotive restoration process: Disassembling and reassembling engines.

Hobbies: Playing electric guitar and working on cars.

Tell us about your personal project vehicle: I don’t have a personal project vehicle at the moment, but I have big plans for my own hot rod sometime in the near future.

On a Sunday you can be found: At home with my wife and children, relaxing.

Interesting fact about me: I’m a Marine Corps veteran and love mexican food.

“Chuey” Cervantes

Automotive Restoration Technician

Date of Hire: July 2025

Hometown: City of Commerce, California

Siblings: Five Siblings

At what age / what got you into wanting to work on cars? I was watching hot rod films when I was a pre-teen! (Hot Rod Gang) I was also inspired by the old “Hot Rod” Magazine

Influences, mentors, or car culture icons that you look up to: I was influenced by the Ayala Brothers, Harry Westergard, and some car clubs from the late 1990s

Favorite car and why? Any Blakie Gejeian modified Roadster and a late 1950s MGA (Produced by MG from 1955 to 1962). These are my favorites as they inspire me!

Favorite aspect of the automotive restoration process: The entire process itself, the anticipation of what it will be once its finished!

Hobbies: Vintage Tube Amplifiers, redecorations, playing guitar, and literature and poetry.

Erik Perez

Apprentice

Date of Hire: April 2025

Hometown: Long Beach, California

Siblings: Two siblings.

At what age did you get into classic cars? My Dad got me into cars when I was 18

Influences, mentors, or car culture icons that you look up to: I was influenced by my dad’s family. They had a car club called “Vijitos”, which inspired me to get into the culture.

Favorite car and why? A 1960 Impala. Why, because it’s a low rider, but has a nice retro old school look. It’s very classic and cool.

Favorite aspect of the automotive restoration process: I love that you get to see the start to finish of a project. It’s great to see the transformation.

Hobbies: Skateboarding and working on my car.

Tell us about your personal project vehicle: I have a 1995 Civic that I want to make a D-Series build, it will be way faster when I’m done!

On a Sunday, you can find me: Hanging out at my house, working on my car.

Any other information or fun facts that you think our clientele would find amusing: I love to go camping and my favorite spot is in the Sequoia National Forrest.

Cory Anderson

Administrative Assistant

Date of Hire: May 2025

Hometown: Garden Grove, California.

At what age/what got you into wanting to work on cars? I’ve been into cars ever since I was little. My grandfather used to take me to the barber shop, and I could name all the cars in the parking lot.

Influences, mentors, or car culture icons that you look up to: My grandfather and George Barris, as well as many well-known movie and TV vehicles.

Favorite car and why? So many to list, but my top one is a 1967 Chevrolet Impala 4-door.

Favorite aspect of the automotive restoration process: All of it! It’s preserving something from another time.

Hobbies: Reading and playing video games.

Tell us about your personal project vehicle: I am beginning to start work on my late grandfather’s 1970 VW Beetle that has been sitting since 1985

On a Sunday, you can be found: Relaxing with my wife and dog.

Interesting fact about me: I’m a Twitch streamer when I’m not working here.

Will Robinson

Apprentice

Date of Hire: April 2025

Hometown: Brea, California.

Siblings: One Brother

At what age/what got you into wanting to work on cars? I was 15 years old when I first got into cars. I would watch my dad work on cars at the house and thought, Hey, I can do that and save some money when I need to work on my own car, so I wanted to learn more.

Influences, mentors, or car culture icons that you look up to: My Dad has been my biggest influence in the car culture. He was always wrenching and working on cars. He had a Jeep that he’s been working on most of my life, and seeing him do all the work on it really impressed me, and I knew I had to do it.

Favorite car and why? Chevy Chevelle SS, the look of these cars are so iconic, and represents that muscle car look that I really like. These cars had that older muscle car, boxier look, with more sharp edges and not a ton of chrome, and I love that.

Favorite aspect of the automotive restoration process: I most enjoy seeing the final project completed, and where all that hard work goes.

Hobbies: Dirt Bike Riding, Fishing, Golfing

Tell us about your personal project vehicle: I have a 1991 Jeep Cherokee that I have some ideas planned. I look forward to applying what I’m currently learning at school and here at Anaheim Rod and Custom, to my own car.

On a Sunday, you can be found: Hanging out with my family and friends.

Interesting fact about me: My family has six motorcycles, six cars, and a boat.

Hudson Means & Precious: Shop Dogs

Our shop furry family of pups.

Hudson Means: RIP (04/05/2011 - 07/05/2025) Gone but not forgotten, our sweet little “Hud Bud” had been coming to the shop for fourteen long, loving years. Part Min-Pin / tea cup chihuahua, part Boston Terrier, and 100% loyal. He made a paws-itive impression on everyone he met. Hudson will live on in our hearts forever.  🐾

Meet Precious: This 7-year-old Dalmatian is as sweet as they come. Precious just joined the family (2024), and we’re delighted to have her. Hudson is quite jealous of this pretty girl, but we know he’s happy to have another furry pal around!