Wadson’s Hot Rods
Our story / Since 1979

Built on
family.

Three generations of car people. More than four decades of building. A shared belief that the car you dream about is worth creating.

A lifetime
around cars.

Before Wadson’s Hot Rods, there was a love of speed. Wayne Wadson began building hot rods in the early 1960s, working in the speed industry before joining Terry Capp to open Edmonton’s Wheeler Dealer Speed Shop.

The Wheeler Dealer became part of Edmonton’s drag racing story. Wayne and Terry also campaigned a top fuel dragster—an enduring connection between the family, the track and the craft of building cars.

In 1979, Wayne opened Wadson’s Hot Rods. The shop became a place to turn customers’ ideas into custom hot rods, muscle cars and classics. Along the way, he passed that experience on to his sons Cory and Noel.

Today, Cory and Noel continue that work, with Cory’s son Dakota bringing a third generation into the shop. The tools and possibilities keep evolving. The purpose remains the same: build the vehicle the customer dreams of owning.

Wheeler Dealer dragster at Edmonton International Speedway in a black-and-white archive photograph
From the family archive: Wheeler Dealer at the track.
Before the shop

Our roots
run fast.

Edmonton’s speed shops and drag strips are part of our story. The Wheeler Dealer years helped shape the knowledge, resourcefulness and passion that Wayne brought into Wadson’s.

The years behind the name

A family tradition.
Still being written.

1960s

The early hot rods

Wayne begins building hot rods and working in the speed industry. His later partnership with Terry Capp leads to the Wheeler Dealer Speed Shop.

1979

Wadson’s Hot Rods opens

Wayne establishes his own shop in Edmonton, creating a home for custom hot rods, muscle cars and classic builds.

2016

The next generation

After years working together, Wayne retires and Cory takes over the shop.

2019

The brothers, together again

Noel returns to the shop, continuing the family business alongside Cory.

Today

Three generations of craftsmanship

Cory, Noel and Dakota carry the tradition forward—combining decades of experience with fresh ideas and new possibilities.

Your vision. Our next build.

What do you dream
of driving?

Let’s build it