For our final look at Short Street Rod Shop’s collection, we’re going to look at both the past and the future of why this place came to be and what has gone on in between those two points of time. It’s safe to say without uncertainty that the shop is in good hands. Jensen Masters has plenty of background on his own where it comes to the shop and it all roots back to his family, namely his father, a man who is rooted in local lore as the man to beat with a Corvette that had the ability to scare the shit out of anyone willing to strap themselves into the passenger seat. The Corvette is gone, sold after his father passed away, but there are other elements that show how committed Masters is to a gearhead’s lifestyle.
Buried in the back of the shop itself, between the two Windsors and the ’55, is Jensen’s first ride, a 1986 Mazda B2000. Originally a totalled-out wreck when it was bought, he rebuilt it into a clean mini truck and cruised it for a while. It’s period-correct, down to the chromed wagon wheels on low-profile tires, and the teal takes me back to 1992. If mini-trucks make a comeback, this Mazda just might see the sunlight again.
The mini-Model A belongs to his son. Originally a Shriner’s car from the early 1970s, this is his boy’s project. Jett purchased the car himself when he was seven years old using his own money and has been slowly customizing it since. Now a bit older, the younger Masters has been working on restoration and repair of bicycles.
The final note in this story should be about the memorabilia collection. Put bluntly, Masters has one of the largest privately-owned collections of toys I’ve ever seen, and that’s doing the collection a disservice. There are classic model kits, both put together and in the box. There are toy cars that I haven’t seen since I was five years old. There are Hot Wheels with the rubber tires, Hot Wheels with the redline tires, classic metal trucks, Micro Machines, and more that had me absolutely drop-jawed. Mixed in with the toys are some real neat pieces: programs from the NHRA Nationals that date back decades, more bicycles, mini-bikes, Copies of Hot Rod Magazine’s Year Book series, and more that I’m sure I am missing. In one corner I found a New Bright bump ‘n go Dodge Monaco cop car. I had one of these “Pursuit 440” cars growing up…my cousin Vance took the drive motor out of my car for me so I could play with it like an overgrown Hot Wheel. Masters is down one piece of his collection, because he gave the car to me. It’s sitting on my office desk now, and I’m happy to report that a fresh set of batteries brought the car to life, light bar and all. I couldn’t help myself.
We want to thank Jensen for inviting us out for the tour. To say that our expectations were shattered by the reality of what we got to see is a drastic understatement. We look forward to seeing him and his family at events around the Midwest.
Click the images below to expand them and see all of this cool stuff!
I could spend a few days there. My place might look like that if I keep buying hot wheels and rusty car parts at yard sales and swap meets?