About MetalMorphosis Customs

At MetalMorphosis Customs, we don't just restore Volkswagens - we reinvent them. What started as a small, home-based workshop has evolved into a nonprofit organization dedicated to passing restoration craftsmanship on to the next generation, preserving automotive history, and pushing the boundaries of design and craftsmanship.

Masters of Metal & Design

Co-founder Rodney Culp has been immersed in the world of air-cooled Volkswagens since he was 15 years old. With close to 40 years of hands-on experience, he has become a respected name in the industry - recognized for his mastery across every stage of a build, from metalwork, panel replacement, and rust repair to chassis assembly, engine work, and electrical. His paintwork has earned international recognition, including top honors at some of the most competitive shows in the world. If it can be rebuilt, Rodney can do it - his ability to breathe life back into even the most neglected classics is second to none. Every step of the process is handled in-house, by his hands, with precision.

Co-founder Cate Culp is the creative vision behind every MetalMorphosis build. As lead designer, she shapes the concept, color, and character of each car from the earliest sketches through final assembly, ensuring every element works as a cohesive whole. Her signature, though, is the interiors - hand-crafted, bespoke creations drawing on over 45 years of sewing expertise and two decades in the textiles industry. Her interior work has earned international recognition at some of the most competitive shows in the world, and has helped define what a custom Volkswagen can be. With an obsessive eye for detail and a fearless approach to design, Cate ensures that no MetalMorphosis build looks - or feels - like anything else on the road.

Savannah Medley, our body shop technician, plays a crucial role in ensuring every panel is as perfectly straight - or curved - as it should be. Her meticulous attention to detail creates the ideal foundation for Rodney's flawless paintwork, turning raw metal into rolling art.

Awards & Recognition

Our dedication to craftsmanship has earned MetalMorphosis Customs awards at some of the most prestigious industry shows. Our builds have been recognized for excellence in metalwork, paint, and interior design, standing out among the best in the automotive industry.

Our Mission

MetalMorphosis Customs is a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status pending. Our mission is to make automotive restoration education accessible to anyone who wants to learn, and to preserve a craft that is quietly disappearing. As skilled restoration tradespeople age out of the industry with fewer taking their place, decades of knowledge risk being lost. Alongside this educational work, we're dedicated to preserving historically significant vehicles - keeping both the skills and the cars alive for future generations.

The Next Chapter

MetalMorphosis Customs has shifted gears. Our shop is now dedicated to education and preservation, with every build serving as both a teaching opportunity and a piece of automotive history saved from being lost. Our annual Volkswagen sweepstakes fuels this mission, giving supporters the chance to win a one-of-a-kind classic while directly supporting restoration education and heritage preservation. From time to time, select builds may also be offered for sale to further fund our programs. Every car we build helps drive change — both on the road and in the world.

Want to see what we're building next? Follow us on social media for exclusive behind-the-scenes content, restoration progress, and the latest updates on our custom creations.