We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eli Goldsmith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eli below.

Eli, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

My biggest risk I have ever taken started in January 2023 when I took a small loan to secure the purchase of a one-of-a-kind Military Protype Vehicle, I found by chance on Facebook Marketplace. I had no real idea what to do with it, but my sixth sense knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. So, what was it that caught my attention? The 2011 Hyena from ArmorWorks is a slow rock crawler designed to maneuver through rough washes and other debris strewn areas but can also accomplish sprints in excess of 80 mph in order to get you out of harm’s way in a hurry! A unique seating arrangement places the driver on the vehicle’s centerline with the four passengers seated behind him. The origins of the Fast Attack Vehicle class that was popular with the military in the 80s and 90s had its roots in the off-road racing community.

Ultimately, I’ve decided what better purpose for this one-off-a-king off-road vehicle than to bring it back to the roots of its design and race it in the desert! The Hyena will be unleashed for its inaugural event at one of the world’s most challenging automotive competitions.

A race unlike any other, King of the Hammer is the toughest off-road race in the world! The race has evolved from 13 teams racing for bragging rights and a case of beer, to 10 days in the California desert, with more than 530 teams competing before more than 100,000 fans in person and 2 million viewers online.

Is it all worth it? Follow along on this adventure, and check out my other one-of-a-kind builds on my YouTube channel, and Instagram.

@goldies_garage
Goldies_Garage – YouTube

Eli, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Goldies Garage is a private custom vehicle builder based in Las Vegas, NV. The business originated from an automotive passion and a desire to preserve history by revitalizing vintage vehicles. My brother and I are constantly scouring the internet and driving the backroads for our next exciting project. I am a Marine Corps veteran, vehicle builder, racer, automotive content creator, and co-own Goldies Garage with my younger brother. I devote my time to producing and sharing videos of my vehicle builds, and off-road adventures.
Bridging the gap between ideas and execution can be incredibly challenging. With vision and creativity, I can take a vehicle from an abandoned and forgotten state to a multidimensional work of art. This is what I am most proud of.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Sprints. Sprints are taking a task and breaking it up into smaller sections, and then working on something else. This helps the team to not burn out on a long task. For us, what works best when we hit a wall on a project is to take a break and clear the mind by off-roading, or a nap.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

My business partner, my brother, was created through sweet love of my parents. Thanks mom and dad!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldies_garage/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@goldies_garage