Born and raised in Los Angeles, Constance Nunes is very well known as the only female car mechanic on the hit automotive reality show, Car Masters: Rust to Riches.
The presence of Constance on Car Masters: Rust to Riches stirred up some controversy. She was part of the crew working at Gotham Garage. However, some people weren't quite convinced that she actually did any "real" work. This is probably because she doesn't exactly conform to the stereotype of a car mechanic. Her looks, gender, and age are a fatal combination in that sense, and that is exactly why more people like her would be a benefit to reality shows out there, to showcase the diversity of reality, beyond the clichés we have grown so accustomed to.
But Constance isn’t just the only female mechanic on the show – she is actually the lead mechanic on Car Masters: Rust to Riches. She is a pioneer in the automotive industry, empowering women all over, to embrace and follow their passions even in a world dominated by men. So, let’s find out all about Constance’s life before she rose to fame by appearing on the popular Netflix original series, and also take a look at what she is doing now.
Updated October 2022: If you're a fan of Car Masters: Rust to Riches, you'll be happy to know that we've updated this article with all the latest information we could find about Constance Nunes and her activities, both work-related and her private life prior to becoming a Netflix superstar.
It All Started When She Helped Her Dad In The Garage
Constance Nunes describes herself on Instagram as “Just a glam girl wrenching in a boys world,” and we couldn’t have phrased it any better ourselves. She definitely brings some glamour to the garage and the drag strip. But how and why did she first pop the hood of this mechanical universe?
Her passion for mechanics can actually get traced back to her childhood, thanks to her father, Ernie Nunes, introducing her to cars. Ernie worked as a car mechanic and was a race car driver, so it's safe to say that fuel runs in the veins of this family. What started out as assisting her dad in the garage would turn out to become a lifetime passion. Constance once shared on social media how her father never showed any preferential treatment for his daughter, in fact, he even fired her once. This is probably what made her so truly determined to master the trade. At the beginning of her career in the automotive industry, she would focus on personal builds and would visit local shops. Later, she explored the service department of Audi, BMW, Ford, and Acura dealerships where she also had a role as an aftermarket director.
Constance Nunes Specializes In Ford Mustangs
The undisputed specialty of Constance Nunes lies in classic restorations, more specifically Mustangs. At the age of 16, she got a 1964 Ford Mustang that would metamorphose into “Babystang.” The muscle car became her personal project, and she has spent tons of time and money, really making it her own. In the end, it was all worth it. And a lot of people agree, as #Babystang has become something of an internet sensation. After all, it is about more than just mechanics, it is about inspiring a new generation of automotive enthusiasts that takes no regard for gender or age. Constance has no intention of ever parting with her 1964.5 Babystang.
Constance Nunes Has An Impressive Career History
It was at one of her father’s race car events that she was discovered and started a successful career as a model. While her main interest continues to be in the bodywork of cars, she found a harmonious way to combine these two worlds. Constance is currently represented by NTA Model Management. She has worked at several prestigious automotive events over the years and has been part of successful campaigns for big names in the automotive industry and beyond. Her print work includes Wrangler, Jockey, Rockstar national campaign, Kingston Technology, and Feral Cosmetics.
Constance also made the cover of Javanan Magazine, Magazine Print with John Russo, and Super Street Magazine (including a feature). In 2015 Constance was in a commercial for Toyota at the Grand Prix of Long Beach. She has also graced the screen, starring in commercials for Motorola, Kim Kardashian’s mobile game app, Hollywood, and Kia — which deserves a special mention. The Kia commercial starred famous actor Christopher Walken and was impressively aired during the 2016 Super Bowl. What is more, Constance made an appearance on National Geographic TV’s The Numbers Game as well as some pretty cool music videos, including I’m a Freak by Enrique Iglesias ft. Pitbull, High off my Love by Paris Hilton ft. Birdman, Wildfire by Borgeous, Young Forever by Michael Canitrot.
Constance Is A Professional Racing Driver And Stunt Woman
One would think her resume was already impressive enough, but Constance's “extracurricular” activities do not end there. She is a professional racing driver in her own right, and has competed in the Targa Trophy and the prestigious Gumball Rally 3000, driving a Hot Wheels Range Rover SVR. And that’s not all, as she even burst onto the Hollywood scene as a stunt woman for movies such as Bring it On (movies 3 and 5) and Dodgeball, in which she also appeared in the background. Although these don't seem to be Constance's main career pursuits, they must have been a fun experience.
In 2019 Constance became the first female to star in a national commercial for Edelbrock, a leading American manufacturer of specialty automotive parts and components. One thing is for sure, there certainly are many facets to Constance Nunes, and she has her fingers in some very cool pies.
Here's What Constance Nunes Is Doing Now
You might know Constance Nunes just as a car mechanic on Car Masters: Rust to Riches, but as we’ve discovered, she is so much more than that. Her career cannot be singularly boxed into just one show, even if we are talking about a very successful and popular Netflix reality series.
As well as working with Gotham Garage, Constance opened her own car shop recently, which she has called CARS By Constance. With over 16 years of experience in the business, Constance restores 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s muscle cars and specializes in classic 1960s Ford Mustangs. She is happy to work with anything — from the car wheeled out for a steady drive on a Sunday afternoon to serious competitors in the hot rod arena. She is meticulous in her work and has had some high-profile builds, with several of her cars showcased at the SEMA show. Furthermore, she uses the best quality parts for her restoration builds and treats each build as she would her own.
So, if you have a classic muscle car or Mustang in need of some TLC, you know where to go for a high-quality restoration – CARS By Constance.