Meet the Custom Car Builder Behind Detroit Metal Shaping
In the world of custom car building, not every project is for the faint of heart.
It takes patience, precision, and a little bit of grit to shape raw metal into rolling works of art. At Detroit Metal Shaping, the focus isn’t just on cars – it’s on creating something extraordinary, one curve, one weld, one design at a time.
Behind the tools and the sparks is a guy who’s not just a builder but an artist, an engineer, and a problem solver. He’s the person clients trust with their dream projects and the one who’d rather honestly be working in the shop or designing something one-of-a-kind than anything else.
Even with the final touches of his latest build keeping him and his team busy, he took some time to share his journey, the challenges of the craft, and the passion behind his precision. Meet Joseph McKeen.
Becoming a Top Custom Car Builder: The Big Three Influence
Anyone who is from Detroit knows how engrained the automotive industry is. Chances are, if you are from Wayne County, Michigan, either you, a friend, or a family member work for one of the big three automotive companies: Chrysler, Ford, or General Motors. It was no different for Joe. But while his interest in cars got him into his career, his pursuit of challenges keeps him there.
Q: What inspired you to get into metal shaping and fabrication?
“Cars have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My friends worked in the industry. Both my grandfathers worked for the Big Three in Detroit, so I guess it’s in my DNA. But what drew me to this industry wasn’t just the cars – it was the challenge of combining art and engineering into one piece.
When I started, I didn’t just want to work on cars; I wanted to tackle the hard stuff – The jobs no one else wanted. The challenge is what keeps me hooked. And now that desire to be the best at the most difficult things keeps driving me.”
Getting Hands-On with Custom Cars in College
Although Joe was always interested in cars, he took his love to the next level by attending Washtenaw Community College Custom Cars Program. With the variety of offerings and exposure to a lot of fields related to custom cars, he was able to explore and excel at his craft.
Although Joe’s worked on many cars throughout the years, he’ll never forget the first couple of builds he was able to get really hands-on with at school.
Q: Do you remember the first project you worked on?
“I’ll never forget it. My first big project was a ‘68 Camaro back when I was in tech school. Later, I worked on a ‘64 Lincoln Continental at Mob Steel, which gave me a taste of what it’s really like to work on high-end Detroit custom car builds.
My biggest takeaway? I realized I was drawn toward fabrication. Not everyone wants to do the sheet metal work, but I gravitated towards it.”
The Challenge of Combining Business with Passion
Although Joe is typically one who embraces and loves challenges, there’s one part of his job that he finds more difficult than the rest.
Q: What’s the most challenging part of your job?
“Honestly? It’s not the metal shaping – it’s managing everything else. Running the company means wearing every hat: managing employees, working with customers, creating car parts, paying the bills, and still finding the time to work on the cars. Balancing the things I love to do with the business side of things can feel like a juggling act.”
Tools Every Custom Builder Relies On
Tools are designed to make work easier – and these are the ones that top the list at Detroit Metal Shaping.
“The Pettingell Power Hammer is the Mac Daddy of all tools in my shop. Then there’s the Pullmax machine, a universal sheet metal forming machine. And, of course, the trusted hammer and dolly for finessing parts. On the tech side, I can’t live without my iPad. I use it for CAD modeling and then a dedicated 3D scanner to nail down every detail. It’s all about blending high-tech precision with old-school craftsmanship.”
Myths About Custom Car Shops
We can’t help but share that this next question made Joe laugh a bit, and admittedly, us too.
Q: What’s one misconception about your work?
“People confuse what I do with being a mechanic. I don’t fix cars – I build them.”
Restoring Classics vs. Building Custom Cars
We wanted Joe’s take on a debate that can sometimes reverberate the automotive restoration and build community:
Q: How do you balance preserving a car’s original character with adding custom upgrades or customizations?
“You don’t balance it – you pick a direction. If it’s historically authentic, you stick to the exact techniques and materials they used back in the day. You want to preserve its uniqueness. But if it’s a custom build, it’s about designing the car the way you think it should be.”
What Sets Detroit Metal Shaping Apart from Others
When it comes to building custom cars, there’s passion and promise, and then there’s the actual product. Detroit Metal Shaping has all three. To elaborate, we asked:
Q: Are there any unique skills that set you apart from others?
“What sets us apart is integrity – plain and simple. We don’t charge up the nose, and we don’t overpromise. If we say we’re going to do something, we do it.
Beyond that, we have resources most shops can’t touch. Whether it’s partnerships with designers, connections with OEM experts, or a network of top-tier suppliers, we’ve built a foundation that goes way beyond the walls of this shop.
And then there’s the way we blend old-school craftsmanship with modern tech. I’m talking about CAD modeling, 3D scanning, and tools that make every inch of the car more precise and efficient to build. The result is a product that’s just flat-out higher quality – and we do it without wasting time or cutting corners.”
Where Can You See This Custom Craftsmanship in Action? Autorama!
Lucky for us, we can see the precision, technique, and expertise of the Detroit Metal Shaping team at the Autorama event in Detroit, Michigan in late February 2025. Although no true sneak peeks are allowed, they gave us a little teaser to make us more than excited to see the big reveal in person.
Q: Can you tell us anything about your project for the Autorama event?
“We’re incredibly excited to showcase our latest project at Autorama, a big draw event with that infamous Ridler award! We’ve been working with a past client to design a completely top-secret project. I can’t tell you more than it’s something designed and created with technique, heart, and soul. You’ll just have to come check it out to see what we mean.”
Michigan’s Top Custom Car Shop – Detroit Metal Shaping
Joe McKeen and the team at Detroit Metal Shaping are truly redefining what it means to be the best custom car builder. Their blend of classic craftsmanship, innovative technology, and unyielding dedication to perfection make them one of Detroit's best custom car shops. Whether crafting a one-of-a-kind custom vehicle, creating parts for local automotive neighbors, or pushing the boundaries of design, Detroit Metal Shaping continues to leave an impression on the industry, one car at a time.
