Watseka resident Justin Nichols, a noted expert in vehicle paint and fabrication, is now starring in a new Velocity Channel TV show, “Wrench’d,” which features the work he and his crew take on at their 8,500-square-foot shop in Watseka.
Watseka resident Justin Nichols, a noted expert in vehicle paint and fabrication, is now starring in a new Velocity Channel TV show, “Wrench’d,” which features the work he and his crew take on at their 8,500-square-foot shop in Watseka.
The only thing Justin Nichols has ever wanted to do is work on cars, trucks and motorcycles.
However, the 2001 graduate of Watseka Community High School is doing so much more these days it’s hard for him to even imagine where his love for repairing and modifying vehicles has taken him.
Nichols now is starring in a new Velocity Channel TV show, “Wrench’d,” which features the work he and his crew take on at their 8,500-square-foot shop at 110 S. Second St., in Watseka.
An expert in vehicle paint and fabrication — who concedes he’s not the typical television show material — is being featured in six one-hour episodes of the program being aired at 9 p.m. Tuesdays on Velocity (Channel 205 on Comcast).
The first episode aired this Tuesday and a crowd of about 300 gathered in the Watseka Theatre for the premier episode. The first episode featured Nichols and his five-member crew modifying a 1960 C10 pickup truck for the famous SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show in Las Vegas.
Next week’s episode (9 p.m. May 22) follows Nichols and his crew as they finish work on the C10 build. In addition to the C10, a longtime client comes to the shop to have work completed on his custom turbo Sportster bike.
Following segments are scheduled for May 29, June 5, June 12 and June 19.
A second season already is in the works.
The shows feature work on a 1960 Cadillac Deville, a 1998 Harley Davidson Bagger, a 1963 Volkswagen bug, a 1962 Willy’s Jeep, a 1941 Ford truck, a 1969 Saab 99 and a 1963 C10.
Velocity features a maze of vehicle restoration and modification shows including programs such as “Wheeler Dealer,” “Graveyard Carz,” “FantomWorks” and “Restoration Garage.”
“I didn’t really want to even do the show,” Watseka’s celebrity resident said. “There are so many car shows out there not showing car work. I told them if we would do a show, it had to be about everyday life in the shop and show the work being done.
“I want people to see this taking place.”
The first one-hour episode condensed about four months of work. All six episodes have been filmed and edited.
In addition to Nichols, the show features Maegan Ashline, Greg Huizenga, Dave Webster, Kyle Bertsch and Nick Roberts.
“Wrench’d” is not Nichols first time in front of a camera. He appeared on Spike TV’s vehicle restoration program “Search & Rescue” in 2013 and on the PowerNation vehicle rehab program in 2014. His work also has been showcased in the publications “Classic Truck,’’ “Street Rodder,’’ “Raw Bike,’’ “Hot Rod,’’ “Bagger,’’ “American Bagger” and “Built Not Bought.’’
The thought of a show featuring his shop, “Nichols Paint & Fab,” was something he never contemplated. At least not until a television producer called him with the idea.
“I never pictured this. I’m just a car builder. It’s weird. It’s overwhelming. It’s awesome. And it’s super stressful,” he said.
In addition to making sure the restoration work remains the focus of the show, Nichols wanted to promote Watseka and its 5,200-plus residents.
“I want people to see the community we are in,” he said.
Watseka Mayor John Allhands, who claims to have no vehicle repair skills, said there is no telling what this national exposure can do for the city.
“It’s so nice to see a young man achieve his dream like this. This is his love and passion,” the mayor said. “There’s also an exciting vibe to have him in our town.”
Allhands believes Nichols’ shop could bring tourism to Watseka just as the “American’’ Pickers show has done for eastern Iowa.
