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) and son (Atom Ford 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

Automotive Restoration Technician

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.

Marlowe Buelvas

Automotive Restoration Technician

Date of Hire: September 2023

Hometown: Los Angeles, California / Originally from Long Island, New York City. Also has a house if Florida.

Siblings: One brother, one sister.

At what age/what got you into wanting to work on cars? I was 16 when I first got into working on cars. I used to race BMX bikes and in between seasons I would work in auto shops to learn more about cars. My first car was a Volkswagen Scirocco.

Influences, mentors, or car culture icons that you look up to: I’m influenced by Bryan Fuller. He’s always been a good friend. He would walk me through things and offered great ideas.

Favorite car and why? 911 & 356 Porsche. I met my wife in a 356 Porsche.

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

Hobbies: BMX and Motorcycle riding.

Tell us about your personal project vehicle: 2 RD400 Motorcycles (1977), 1963 F100, and a 1972 Shovelhead.

On a Sunday you can be found: Riding bicycles and motorcycles.

Words of wisdom: You can pretty much make anything you want…

Hudson Means, & Precious: Shop Dogs

Our furry security officers. Upon entering our shop you will be greeted by these two little ones.

Meet Hudson Means: Don't let his bark alarm you he is a sweet little beast. Hudson is part Min-Pin/Chihuahua part Boston Terrier and 100% loving. Hudson has been coming to the shop with Matt his entire life.

Meet Precious: This 5 year old Dalmation is as sweet as they come. Precious just joined the family this year (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!