**Rich Rebuilds: From Wrecked Teslas to YouTube Stardom**
At first, Rich Benoit never thought he would become a YouTube content creator. But as he started documenting his journey of revamping wrecked Teslas, he captured the attention of viewers who were fascinated by his unique approach. Unlike many others infatuated with the brand, Rich had a sense of humor about the limitations of the electric automaker and his own ability to improve upon them. Today, he boasts nearly 1.5 million followers on YouTube under the moniker “Rich Rebuilds.”
Although Rich never intended to write a memoir, co-author Lisa Rogak planted the idea in his mind. It wasn’t until six months of contemplation that he realized he had an interesting story to tell. The resulting book, “Going Fast and Fixing Things: True Stories from the World’s Most Popular DIY Repair Expert and Car Aficionado,” offers a captivating and candid account of Rich’s journey. From his scrappy childhood outside of Boston to an IT career and eventually becoming the world’s most popular do-it-yourself car fixer, the book is filled with funny, poignant, and wry anecdotes.
Throughout his life, Rich has shown an unyielding and entrepreneurial spirit. Always seeking an angle, he has navigated various ventures, from disassembling his aunt’s VCR to peddling bootleg porn and sewing designer labels onto bargain basement clothing. He even dropped out of Harvard along the way. But what shines through is his generous and joyous spirit, always embracing the chaos that life brings and following his interests to create a unique path.
While Rich initially gained recognition for his Tesla modifications, he has since moved away from focusing solely on the brand due to the behavior of the Tesla loyalist community and the limited potential for modification in electric vehicles (EVs). In his own words, “If you want to modify your EV, you need, like, a bachelor’s degree in computer science because the software and hardware are so tightly integrated.” This lack of modification potential led Rich to explore other vehicles, such as the Audi RS3 and RS7, BMW i3 and i8, McLaren 720S, Mini Cooper, and Rivian R1.
Rich’s passion for tinkering with cars knows no bounds. He even swapped a V-8 engine into a Tesla Model S and created a hybrid Franken-pickup using a Volkswagen Caddy platform with an electric motor driving the front wheels and a turbocharged Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle engine driving the rears.
Despite his diverse range of automotive projects, there is one car that Rich dreams of rebuilding: the Bugatti Veyron. However, the skyrocketing prices of the Veyron, even in its wrecked state, have made it an elusive goal. Rich envisions pulling back the cloak of mystery surrounding the car and answering questions like whether he could perform his own maintenance or oil changes. Is Volkswagen simply exaggerating the complexity of the car? These are the questions he hopes to answer.
As fans of Rich Rebuilds, we can support his endeavors by purchasing a copy of his book. Additionally, Rich ponders his future and the possibility of returning to IT. However, he acknowledges that it would require a substantial pay cut and an adjustment to his lifestyle. The fear of being recognized as “that guy from YouTube” for the rest of his career also weighs on his mind.
In conclusion, Rich Benoit’s journey from fixing wrecked Teslas to becoming a YouTube sensation is an inspiring tale of resilience, creativity, and embracing one’s passions. His story reminds us that where we start in life may not be where we end up. Through his experiences, Rich has shown that with determination and a willingness to take risks, we can carve our own unique path and find fulfillment in unexpected places.