5 Minutes With…Tyler Nelson of Revision Rods & Rides
It may be a bit off the beaten path, but if you find yourself enjoying the open landscape around Rapid City, South Dakota, be sure to stop by to see Tyler Nelson and his crew at Revision Rods & Rides. Tyler and his wife Katie started Revision just seven years ago and have already built an impressive list of clients and award-winning vehicles.
The custom car bug first bit Tyler while in high school through the TV show “Rides” with Chip Foose. With that inspiration, he took high school trade classes and worked with his father rebuilding a ’69 C10. He then attended WyoTech to earn his Associate’s Degree in Applied Service Management while finishing their collision refinishing and street rod programs.
In 2024, Tyler was awarded the Goodguys Trendsetter Award at the SEMA Show and was just recently inducted into the WyoTech Hall of Fame. We cornered Tyler for five minutes to learn what drives Revision and how he and Katie have built the company into such a custom car powerhouse.
GG: What do you attribute the early success that Revision has garnered?
Tyler Nelson: Early success in such a competitive space really comes down to the reputation you build – with both your customers and your peers. At Revision, we’ve focused on going the extra mile, delivering on our promises, and consistently exceeding expectations. That kind of approach leads to repeat business, strong relationships, and word-of-mouth referrals which are invaluable in this industry.
We’ve also built a team that shares the same commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Every project is a group effort, and surrounding yourself with people who take pride in what they do makes all the difference.
GG: Your wife Katie was a proponent of starting Revision; how did she convince you?
Nelson: When Katie and I met, she owned her own business and could see the potential for business in the car industry. She had more of the business mind, and I was focused on building hot rods. We started getting serious about Revision Rods six months or so before we opened. I came home from work one day, and she had a pen and paper asking what I needed to start my dream. The final decision came after a conversation we had discussing how we wanted our future to look together with a family. The goal has always been to create a life for ourselves and something our kids would be proud of.
GG: What was the best lesson you learned before staring your business?
Nelson: A few stand out, but staying true to your vision and understanding what sets your business apart is key to long-term success. Secondly, there is no substitute for hard work.
GG: And, what’s the best lesson as a business owner?
Nelson: Learning that things rarely go as planned. You can have the best strategy, vision, and plans, but customer preferences change, or unexpected challenges come up. If you aren’t flexible and ready to pivot when needed, you can find yourself stuck.
GG: Do car owners come to you with a desire to compete for elite awards, or do builds evolve into possible contenders?
Nelson: Both have happened, but for the most part our customers come to us with a vision for their dream car, not necessarily a goal of competing for elite awards. They might have a general idea of what they want, but they trust us to put our spin on it. As the build evolves, the opportunity to compete for elite awards comes into focus, and customers get excited at the opportunity.
GG: Do you have a favorite part of a project build?
Nelson: Honestly, my favorite part of a build is polishing. It’s the time when everything comes together. After years of building, polishing is where you finally see the full vision take shape.
GG: What modern techniques and technology do you use?
Nelson: We try blending traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. By bringing 3D scanners, 3D printing, and CNC-machining in-house, we maintain tighter control over quality, accelerate timelines, and push the boundaries of what’s possible.
GG: What’s the best advice you could offer a DIY enthusiast building a car at home?
Nelson: Take your time and don’t cut corners. The most important part of any build when you’re doing it yourself is patience. It’s easy to get excited and want to rush to the “cool parts.” But take your time and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
GG: What are the pros and cons of being based off the beaten path?
Nelson: One of the big advantages is lower overhead cost. That allows us to keep our shop rates more reasonable compared to shops in bigger cities. We also benefit from fewer distractions – being off the beaten path means we don’t get a lot of drop-in traffic, which helps us stay focused on the work.
Of course, there are a few trade-offs. We can’t just make a quick run to pick up parts – most of what we need must be ordered, which takes extra planning.
GG: How many people work at Revision and what’s the average age?
Nelson: We currently have nine people with an average age in the mid-30s.
GG: Who were some of your mentors or heroes when you were getting started?
Nelson: Roger Burman has been a huge mentor for me. He’s always been willing to offer advice or perspective, and that’s meant a lot. As for heroes, Troy Trepanier has always been at the top of that list. The level of detail, creativity, and consistency in his work is something I really admire. Every project we build, I try to keep that same mindset pushing the limits while staying true to our vision.
GG: Do you still have the truck that you and your dad worked on?
Tyler Nelson: Yes, I still have the ’69 C10 that my dad and I rebuilt back in high school. It’s got a lot of sentimental value, and it’s really where my passion for building started. I still take it out from time to time during the summer – it’s a good reminder of where things began and the time we spent working on it together.
