Craftsmanship, Cars, and Culture

Hailing from Porterville, California, Jared Rainey’s path into the world of craftsmanship and custom cars began early. His first taste of hands-on creation came in middle school woodshop, where he quickly discovered a natural talent—and a lifelong passion—for working with his hands.

By high school, Jared was fully immersed in the custom car scene. Alongside his twin brother Jeremy, he built their first project: a 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner, a car they still own and cherish today. That experience sparked a love for the process of building and modifying, which led him to enroll at WYO TECH after graduation. There, Jared earned certifications in general mechanics, chassis and suspension design, and paint and body collision repair—skills that now define his meticulous and artistic approach to every build.

Mini Trucks, Music, and a Movement

Growing up in the San Joaquin Valley, Jared’s world was shaped by two passions: custom cars and music. In the late ’90s and early 2000s, he became deeply involved in the Mini Truck scene, heavily influenced by the popular punk, alternative and hardcore culture of the time. His unique style blends the raw spirit of punk with the precision of modern performance, resulting in builds that are as soulful as they are technical.

In 2007, at just 18, Jared and Jeremy bought their first Mini Truck—a 1999 Toyota Tacoma. Though the build had been started by someone else, Jared went all in body-dropping, bagging it, and outfitting it with a period-correct Sony Explode system with 12-inch subs. That project cemented his place in the Mini Truck community and set the tone for the work to come.

Vegas, Signs, and Skill-Building

In his early 20s, Jared took a vacation to Las Vegas—and never left. Drawn in by the city’s vibrant car and music culture, he quickly made it home. He landed a job at a union sign shop in what’s considered the mecca of the signage industry. Starting with simple tasks, Jared put in the work, and soon became a key contributor on large-scale, high-visibility projects. The experience expanded his fabrication skills even further, combining visual design, structure, and materials in bold, creative ways.

Restomods and Recognition

By 2018, Jared was a seasoned fabricator and an active member of several car clubs in the Vegas scene. That same year, he joined the elite team at Nostalgia Hot Rods, where he would spend the next eight years helping build some of the world’s most prestigious luxury performance restoration projects. Surrounded by a highly talented crew, Jared again rose to the top—trusted with major, long-term builds that are now recognized across the custom car world. His ability to bring both vision and execution to complex, high-end projects made him an indispensable part of the team.

A Dream on Four Wheels

During his final two years at Nostalgia, Jared set out to chase a dream of his own. On a modest salary and using every spare hour he could find, he began pouring his heart into building the ultimate tribute to his roots: a 1993 GMC Sonoma mini truck. It would be his personal masterpiece—a true reflection of everything he’d learned and everything he loved.

In November of 2024, that dream rolled out of his garage under its own power, just in time for SEMA. Powered by a running, driving LS6 V8, the Sonoma was a showstopper: fully custom paint, hand-laid pinstriping, one-off cantilevered air ride suspension, bagged and body-dropped, with a completely bespoke interior. It was a masterclass in execution—a raw, garage-built passion project that stood tall among corporate builds and big-budget showpieces.

The truck earned massive attention both on the floor and across social media. Jared walked away from SEMA with a coveted Goodguys award and, more importantly, deep respect from peers across the industry. But the momentum didn’t stop there. The Sonoma took home another award at the Day to Remember show in Primm, recognized by The Drop Podcast. A few months later, it rolled into Forbidden Fantasy Show and Shine in Laughlin—one of the largest platforms in the Mini Truck scene—and claimed a Top 5 Best Mini Truck award, standing toe-to-toe with trucks that had triple the budget and build time.

Driven by Passion: The Legacy of Jared Rainey

From his early days in Porterville, California, where he and his brother built their first project car—a 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner—to his transformative years in Las Vegas, Jared Rainey's journey is a testament to passion, perseverance, and precision. His immersion in the Mini Truck scene, combined with influences from the underground punk and hardcore music culture, shaped a unique aesthetic that seamlessly blends vintage charm with modern performance.​

For Jared, every build is a statement—a story told in metal, paint, and passion. His journey from small-town shop class to national recognition proves that talent, grit, and authenticity still matter in a world of overproduction. Whether he's building for clients or creating for himself, Jared Rainey brings craftsmanship, culture, and heart to everything he touches.

Jared's journey underscores the essence of true craftsmanship—where every build is not just a project but a reflection of one's soul, dedication, and artistry. His legacy continues to inspire, reminding us that with passion and perseverance, dreams can indeed be driven into reality.