Meet Ed Verhelst, the guest builder who appeared on Iron Resurrection’s “Nova Overload” episode. Explore his automotive background, racing roots, and low-profile presence in the custom car community.
One of the things that has always set Iron Resurrection apart is its willingness to showcase the collaborative side of custom car building. While Joe Martin and the Martin Bros Customs team remain at the center of every project, skilled builders from across the industry occasionally step into the shop to lend their expertise.
One such guest was Ed Verhelst, who appeared in the two-part “Nova Overload” build featured in Iron Resurrection Season 4, Episodes 4 and 5, which aired in 2020. Based in Bandera, Texas, Ed brought years of hands-on automotive experience to Martin Bros Customs, working alongside Joe Martin and the team to transform a classic Chevrolet Nova.
Although his television appearance was brief, it introduced viewers to a builder with deep roots in the custom car world.
A Builder Who Prefers to Stay Out of the Spotlight
Unlike many fabricators and restoration shops that maintain a strong online presence, Ed Verhelst has always kept a relatively low profile.
Over the years, he has been associated with several automotive ventures, including ownership of Car Pros of the Desert and later, the operation of Texas Attitude Racing. While those businesses established his reputation within enthusiast circles, Ed has never been particularly active on social media or focused on building a public persona.
His Texas Attitude Racing YouTube channel, for example, hasn’t uploaded new content since April 2021. His Facebook activity has been equally infrequent, with only scattered public posts between 2014 and 2022, followed by a single public update in May 2024 supporting the Headwaters For Heroes 12th Annual Open Car Show in Kerrville, Texas.
There is also little publicly available information confirming the current day-to-day operation of Texas Attitude Racing as an active shop. Based on his limited online activity, Ed appears to prefer spending time on personal projects and supporting local automotive events rather than maintaining a constant online presence.
A Passion for Classic Muscle Cars
One vehicle that has attracted local attention is Ed’s light green 1968 Chevrolet Camaro. In 2021, the car earned First Place in the Classic category along with the Auxiliary’s Choice Award at a Bandera car show, highlighting the quality of his craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Another project that clearly meant a great deal to him was his 1955 Chevrolet, nicknamed “Devil Dog.” In 2017, Ed proudly shared that the car had been featured in the June issue of Super Chevy magazine as part of its “Bow Tie Keepers” section—a recognition he described as making him “Super proud.”
While Ed may not seek widespread recognition, accomplishments like these reflect the respect he has earned within both his local car community and the broader classic Chevrolet scene.
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Working Alongside Martin Bros Customs
In “Nova Overload,” Ed worked alongside Joe Martin and the rest of the Martin Bros Customs crew as they transformed a Chevrolet Nova. Like many Iron Resurrection projects, the build involved a combination of fabrication, bodywork, paint, mechanical upgrades, and countless smaller details needed to bring a classic car back to life.
Having an experienced builder like Ed join the project reinforced one of the show’s recurring themes: great custom builds are often the result of teamwork. Guest builders bring fresh perspectives and specialized experience while working within the overall vision of the Martin Bros Customs team.
Although Ed appeared in only a single episode, his contribution reflected the collaborative atmosphere that has long been part of the series.
A Lasting Impression
Not every talented builder becomes a television personality, and Ed Verhelst is a good example of that. His appearance on Iron Resurrection offered viewers a brief introduction to someone whose reputation has been built more through his work than through online visibility.
Today, he continues to maintain a relatively quiet public presence, with only occasional activity on social media and little information released about current projects. For fans revisiting “Nova Overload,” however, his guest appearance remains a reminder that some of the industry’s most experienced craftsmen prefer to let their work speak for itself.
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