TALKING SHOP

WE CHECK OUT CASTLEMAINE ROD SHOP’S BRAND NEW FACILITY AND TALK ALL THINGS HORSEPOWER

- KIAN HEAGNEY

WHILE it’s better known these days as a refuge for tree changing city slickers and sleepy farmers’ markets, the central Victorian town of Castlemaine is also the ‘Street Rod Centre of Australia’, as the signs around town proudly state. And few businesses do more to uphold that status than Castlemaine Rod Shop.

Having been in operation since 1976, Castlemaine Rod Shop has become known both nationally and globally as one of the leading specialists in engine, steering, brake and diff conversion kits. Kelvin Waddington of Waddington’s Street Rods (together with sons Heath and Marc) took over The Rod Shop in 2012, merging it with their existing business. Things have gone from strength to strength ever since.

The boys recently opened the doors to their freshly renovated workshop in the heart of Castlemaine, so we went and had a tour, before sitting down with Heath Waddington for a chat.

Where did it start for you and Marc?

When we were kids. With Dad running Waddington’s Street Rods, we were always around it since we were young. We both completed apprenticeships at the shop, but it wasn’t as if we were planning on running our own workshop together since we were kids. In around 2012, the opportunity came about to take the reins of the shop, and while Dad still owns the factory, he’s taken a step back and myself and Marc have been running the show. Even though it was never the plan, looking back on it now it’s hard to imagine us doing anything else.

How much has changed since you and Marc took control of The Rod Shop?