FantomWorks is the largest auto restoration shop in the U.S. Dan Short is the owner of this gorgeous workshop. He fell in love with cars when he first laid eyes on a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro, the very first model year of the iconic nameplate. Dan went on to buy this car but just like most teenagers, he could not afford to pay someone to restore this Camaro. Dan learned how to restore and repair the car on his own and that is when he realized he loved working on cars.
Short did a stint in the army before he decided to take his passion for classic cars and turn it into a business that is now known worldwide. The reality series shows how Dan Short and his team meticulously refurbish some of America's favorite classic, hotrods, and other cars. The drama takes place on the show and that is what makes this show so great. It's not set up, so everything that happens during the show happens in real life.
The DRS Automotive FantomWorks auto shop was started in 2006, and the show ran from 2013 to 2019. While the shop was already well regarded before the show, the popularity of the series certainly helped. Several of the original crew still work with Dan, transforming cars that are family heirlooms and have special emotional value into stunning show-quality rides.
UPDATED DECEMBER 2022: We've updated this story with the latest information on the FantomWorks auto restoration shop, including why the show stopped, right from the man himself! As a bonus, FantomWorks is back to making videos, and we tell you how to watch the latest episodes and where.
Meet The FantomWorks Crew
FantomWorks was established in 2006. They started off with just restoring the cars however when you watch the show, you'll notice that sometimes they cannot meet deadlines because parts do not arrive. They then decided that they would use a 3D printer to start printing their own parts.
Everyone who works at FantomWorks is a professional in their craft, they know what they are talking about. That is why they are part of the team. We are going to introduce you to a few of the main cast members:
Dan Short - Owner/Restoration Project Manager. He has over 31 years of experience under his belt.
Melissa - Human Resources/Special Projects. Melissa has been with FantomWorks since they started back in 2006, and is married to Dan. She is behind the scenes but she takes care of all the books, invoicing, and deals with special projects that might happen like the tours of the workshop.
Andy - Structural welder. Andy came to FantomWorks with only one year under his belt but his dedication and love for muscle cars got him in the door.
Wayne - Autobody technician. He is a U.S. Army Veteran and a former EMT. He started doing bodywork at 16 and has 20+ years under his belt.
There are lots of other people who work at FantomWorks, like Audrey who's the office manager, and Chris the smiley technician. The one face that a lot of people want to meet is their security guard and greeter... Heidi. Heidi is a gorgeous German Shepard that goes to work every day. She is like the team mascot and is a dog that all dog lovers have to go and meet!
Why Was FantomWorks Canceled?
FantomWorks aired their first episode on Velocity in 2013. In the pilot episode, Dan and his crew restored a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette and a Ford Model A hot rod, marking the show as a huge success. Everyone loves a good restoration job and these two cars looked astonishing! This episode did great in the ratings, and they carried on filming.
Since the show aired, Dan made a lot more money and his revenue went up tremendously. This also meant that the crew got paid more which means the team loved what they were doing, and they enjoyed filming the series.
Nevertheless, after season 9 ended it proved to be the last season to air. Dan released a statement that said that he was sad that the show was ending, but it was tough to film in the settings of a garage. Often equipment would get damaged, and they would have to retake shots. Dan went on to say that more often than not, they would film 5-6 days a week. It was a long process and he thanked everyone who was involved.
"I have only one regret related to leaving the show. That regret is that we have to say goodbye to our many fans. I have been honored to meet thousands of viewers of the show during the tours at the shop, in local car shows, and national events like SEMA. I’ve travelled the globe and been truly delighted and humbled by meeting so many people who have openly expressed their love of our the shop and the show."
The Lawsuit That Almost Ended FantomWorks
In 2012, a client sued Dan Short for apparent fraud. This dragged Dan into court and put a damper on the name that he had created for himself. The lawsuit ended back in 2014 and Dan's name was cleared.
Long story short, a couple came in and asked for a restoration deal on a 1960 Ford Thunderbird. They said that Dan told them it would be X amount and later on said that Dan overcharged or went over the quote.
How Much Is Dan Short Worth?
Dan Short has a booming business back in Norfolk, Virginia. Even though the show is no longer running, the garage is still up and running and is bigger than ever. It is estimated that Dan Short is worth around $3.5 million. Dan opened our eyes to the automotive world. He showed us what really happens in a day in the lives of car restorers, and we wish him and his family nothing but the best!
The FantomWorks Show Is Back!
For fans of the original TV series, there's great news. Dan Short and the FantomWorks team are back with a new series on CMAX.TV called FantomWorks Off The Grid. The team will pick up right where the show ended, doing what they've always done: create beautifully turned out restorations. The show will also cover restomods, and a ton of fan engagement via social media.