Jimmy Shine knows his way around custom cars. His cool, aggressive creations have ripped a new era in style and quality. Jimmy is young, cocky, and part of the legend of SO-CAL Speed Shop in Pomona, California.

Now Jimmy wants to pass on his experience to a chosen few who could only dream of a chance at the big time.

Jimmy selects five trainees, not because of what they know or what they can do. Each is deserving. Each has obstacles to overcome. Each has a story to tell. They are different people with different issues, but the one thing they share is a desire to take a new road. Jimmy is here to help them.

These trainees are in for a ride. They won't just learn the art of custom building, they'll learn about life—confronting personal problems, working as a team, earning responsibility, appreciating perfection, and, above all, growing self-esteem. Jimmy will be leader, craftsman, counselor, and playmate.

Across the series, the trainees help build high-dollar rides for clients with high expectations. It's a hard school with no margin for error.

Along for the ride is Jimmy's boss, Pete, the powerhouse behind SO-CAL's long hot rod history. Pete is like a second father to Jimmy. He gave the young trouble-maker his first break and now it's turning full-circle.

But Jimmy's focus is his trainees—getting inside their heads, sorting their problems, and surprising them with inspirational experiences inside and outside the speed shop.

Jimmy needs to prove to himself that he has the patience and skills needed to pass on his vast experience to a group of rookies.

At the end of the series only ONE of the five gets to stay, with a permanent job at SO-CAL. This person will be chosen in part for his or her skills—but, more importantly, for passion and potential.

But Jimmy and Pete want to give all the trainees the most valuable gift: self respect.

Jimmy can build more than classic and expensive hot rods…

He can build lives and make them SHINE.