INTERVIEW: Car expert Tom Smith buckles up for adventures on ‘Misfit Garage’
Reality shows that document the many trials and tribulations of car experts and mechanics have taken over TV airwaves. After the success of Discovery’s Fast N’ Loud, which follows Richard Rawlings and Gas Monkey Garage, the network branched off and created Misfit Garage, a series that explores the adventures of four mechanics in their own rival business, Fired Up Garage. New episodes air Mondays at 9 p.m.
Tom Smith, one of the mechanics featured in Misfit Garage, is a heckler, singer, comedian, man of mystery and master mechanic, according to Discovery.com. His love for cars began as a child, whether growing up in Ohio or Georgia, and he has a knack for taking machines apart and putting them back together. Hopefully they’re working smoothly and suped up nicely.
Smith’s expertise is in drivability, although on Misfit Garage, he’s a jack-of-all-trades and jack-of-all-jokes. He’s serious about his love for cars yet never too far from a laugh with his Texas business partners Thomas Weeks, Jordan Butler and Scott McMillan.
Recently Smith exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox on cars, memories and his favorite ride. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
Was the split with Gas Monkey Garage a contentious split? Are there any hard feelings?
It was time to part ways, and I will leave it at that.
How did the idea for Fired Up Garage begin?
I have a sign that I made on the side of my toolbox around 1988 that reads “F&U Auto Service” with the caption: “Our customers have been satisfying us since 1973.” The wife of our executive producer (Eddie Rohwedder) came up with Misfits.
What’s your earliest memory of being awed by a car?
When I was 7 years old living in Georgia, my stepfather had a big black ’65 Galaxie. He took me out and did doughnuts in a parking lot for my birthday. Best gift I ever got!
Over the years, how did you become an expert in drivability?
I always got the crap jobs at the shops that I worked at. It was sink or swim! I swam!
What’s the toughest part of the Fired Up Garage business? What’s the best part?
That’s a very vague question. Each situation has a good side and bad.
If you had your choice of any car to drive on any road in the United States, what would they be? Why?
I am passionately in love with a thousand cars! For a daily driver — I am always haulin’ something, so that requires a truck — A 1970, 3/4 ton Ford 427 Tunnel Port Sport Custom Camper Special with four wheel drive! For a Cruiser — a black on black on black 1969 Ford Boss 429 6 — speed, giant brakes, air conditioned with racing seats!
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Misfit Garage airs new episodes Mondays at 9 p.m. on Discovery Channel. Click here for more information
