It’s completely understandable if you thought Fast N’ Loud’s days were numbered when the lead mechanic, who also was the show’s most beloved figure, departed in 2017. Surprisingly, the show continued for an additional three years following Aaron Kaufman’s exit. Likewise, it’s fair not to fault Gas Monkey Garage owner Richard Rawlings for asserting that it does a disservice to the other GMG team members to suggest that Kaufman’s departure would harm the shop.
“It’s undeniably a significant setback for GMG,” Rawlings shared in a blog post on gasmonkeygarage.com, “However, it would be unfair to discredit the dedication and hard work put in by everyone at Gas Monkey by suggesting that we can’t succeed without him.”
While this sentiment holds true for the shop, it raises questions about the impact on the show. Aaron Kaufman’s exceptional car restoration skills are a rarity, and his departure undeniably had an influence on the program. It fueled speculations about the behind-the-scenes developments. In this article, we’ll uncover the reasons behind the departure of the bearded Dallas mechanic from Gas Monkey Garage and shed light on his subsequent endeavors.
How Did Aaron Kaufman Join The Gas Monkey Garage?
Long before Aaron Kaufman became the “bearded wonder” and shot to international fame through the hit Discovery Channel series Fast N’ Loud, he was working diligently at a local Dallas garage, honing his skills as a mechanic. It was during this time that fate intervened, and his path serendipitously crossed with that of Gas Monkey Garage’s owner, Richard Rawlings. Kaufman’s remarkable talent for disassembling and reconstructing all things mechanical was readily apparent to Rawlings. Impressed by Kaufman’s abilities, Rawlings wasted no time extending an invitation for him to join the GMG team. Thus, it was through this fortuitous encounter that Aaron Kaufman found himself a part of the Gas Monkey Garage family.
Richard Rawlings was entirely justified in dismissing any notion that Gas Monkey’s success hinged solely on Aaron Kaufman’s presence. This assertion holds water when one considers that Gas Monkey Garage had been in operation for nearly a decade before Kaufman’s arrival. Nevertheless, Kaufman swiftly climbed the ranks, thanks to his profound affinity for all things automotive, eventually assuming the role of lead mechanic. This impressive rise within the organization underscored his exceptional skills and expertise.
However, it is only logical to surmise that there might be more to the story behind Kaufman’s departure from GMG than the ‘official’ explanation, which cited the taxing demands of tight deadlines as the reason for his exit. This speculation gains weight when we consider the possibility that certain on-set conflicts and disputes were deliberately kept away from the cameras, leaving room for curiosity about what might have transpired behind the scenes. In the world of reality television, not everything is as it seems, and the true story often runs deeper than what is portrayed on the screen
Rawlings wrote on Gasmonkeygarage.com,
Gas Monkey Garage is not one person, it’s not two people; it’s a team. AK helped me build GMG, and he helped build the team here, which is why I’m confident we will continue to crank out killer rides week after week. You know I like to keep the drama away from the cameras, and that’s something I’ll continue to strive for. You won’t see a degenerating team or a bunch of arguing. We are about the cars, brand, and family.
In any event, it was in 2002 that Rawlings inaugurated Gas Monkey Garage, based in Dallas. As you may already be aware, this establishment specializes in the art of customizing vintage and hot rods, catering to a global clientele. Then, in 2012, Rawlings expanded the horizons of the shop’s endeavors by bringing its activities to the forefront of the Discovery Channel series known as Fast N’ Loud.
Aaron Kaufman Was The Heart And Soul Of Gas Monkey Garage
Deconstructing something is often easier than the challenging task of reconstructing it into something even better. This exact skill, the ability to transform the remnants of deconstructed vehicles into superior creations, was one of Aaron Kaufman’s remarkable contributions that significantly propelled Gas Monkey Garage into the international spotlight. Richard Rawlings openly acknowledged, “Aaron has been an integral part of Gas Monkey Garage since its inception, and moving forward without his unique talents will undoubtedly be a painstaking process.” However, move forward they did.
For an impressive span of fourteen years, Aaron Kaufman served as the heart and soul of Gas Monkey Garage and, by extension, the Fast N’ Loud television show. In light of this, it is entirely believable when Rawlings candidly expressed, “Aaron’s departure was not my decision and came as a complete surprise.” The remarkable aspect of Kaufman’s journey is that he is predominantly self-taught, mastering the intricate crafts of hot-rodding, car mechanics, and fabrication along the way.
In an industry that often relies on formal training and apprenticeships, Kaufman’s ability to educate himself and excel is a testament to his innate talent and dedication to the craft. His contributions to Gas Monkey Garage and the Fast N’ Loud show were invaluable, and his journey as a self-taught master of his trade is an inspiring narrative of passion and persistence in the world of automotive craftsmanship.
Why Did Aaron Kaufman Leave Gas Monkey Garage?
Aaron Kaufman definitively addressed any lingering questions or speculations that fans might have had regarding his departure from Gas Monkey Garage by candidly revealing the truth in an interview with Art of Gears. In his own words, he stated,
I wanted to build cars that were that big or bigger, and then TV needed cars that were much smaller than that. On top of that, there were some growing personal issues and professional differences of opinion, and so I decided the time had come, and I could see the fork in front of me.
He also confirmed what had been a prevailing suspicion of some underlying tension, describing it as “some personal and professional differences of opinion.” His sentiments are entirely relatable. The fast-paced nature of TV production, with strict time constraints for each episode, often necessitated focusing on smaller, more manageable projects. It’s not difficult to comprehend how such an environment could potentially stifle the creative ambitions of a talent like Kaufman, particularly if he harbored ambitious ideas he had hoped to explore.
Kaufman explained, “The tipping point, that’s the bottom end of the type of cars I want to build. The difficulty level of the car surpasses what can be achieved on TV within the allocated time and budget… That was the crux, the intersection of our paths. I aspired to create larger, more intricate vehicles, as exemplified by the Ecoboosted De Tomaso Pantera, whereas the demands of television leaned towards smaller-scale projects… So, I came to the realization that a critical juncture had been reached, and I could see the two diverging paths ahead.”
After His Exit From Fast N’ Loud, What Is Aaron Kaufman Doing Today?
Following his departure from Gas Monkey and Fast N’ Loud in 2017, Aaron Kaufman ventured into a new automotive endeavor, establishing his own shop, Arclight Fabrication, located in Dallas, Texas. This venture allowed him to chase his aspirations of tackling more substantial projects. Arclight Fabrication’s primary focus revolves around the manufacturing and distribution of aftermarket parts tailored specifically for the Ford F-100 pickup truck, demonstrating Kaufman’s unwavering commitment to his craft. Remarkably, Arclight Fabrication remains a thriving and integral part of his professional journey to this day.
In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Kaufman also made a triumphant return to the world of television with not just one but two shows. The first, “Shifting Gears with Aaron Kaufman,” features Kaufman and his hand-picked team, mirroring the core concept of Fast N’ Loud by reviving and enhancing performance cars. This show also places a strong emphasis on his role as the owner of Arclight Fab. With two seasons already under its belt, “Shifting Gears with Aaron Kaufman” has garnered predominantly positive reviews, showcasing his continued excellence in the realm of automotive restoration.
On the other hand, “Aaron Needs a Job” presents Kaufman on a nationwide journey, connecting with individuals engaged in captivating and challenging automotive-related projects. This program demonstrates Kaufman’s versatile skills, as he takes on a leadership role in building cars while also venturing into roles for which he may not have had formal training. This duality showcases his adaptability and passion for diverse automotive challenges, making his post-Gas Monkey career an exciting chapter in his journey within the automotive world.
After Gas Monkey Garage, Are Aaron Kaufman And Richard Rawlings Still Friends?
Kaufman did acknowledge the presence of some personal and professional disagreements between him and the boss, Richard Rawlings. However, it’s important to note that these differences weren’t as tumultuous as people might have assumed. Aaron Kaufman and Richard Rawlings managed to set aside their conflicts, and to this day, they remain close friends, putting any past disagreements behind them.
