Jesse James surprises at SEMA

LAS VEGAS--Nov. 7, 2011: Appearing at the SEMA Show, the world's aftermarket fantasyland, Jesse James has announced a new series of training videos, featuring the young workers at The Austin Speed Shop, his new venture, opened after closing his California operation and relocating with his children to Central Texas, according to Linda Water Nelson, editor of INSIDEout: Cars & Trucks.

"I expected someone very different," Water Nelson says.  "The reality is that he is smaller, more vulnerable and clearly passionate about returning to the skills that brought him fame in the first place.  There is child-like glee when he talks about his new operation, the DVD-training series, and an unannounced project for the Discovery Channel."

James told Water Nelson that his focus is entirely on family and his hands-on work after two tumultuous years.  "I wasn't making things.  At one point, I had to move from my personal shop into a space with no windows.  It was miserable.  My new home has a 3,000-foot garage with views to the Hill Country.  I have gotten back to welding and working with my hands.  I am so cut up, but loving it.  Last week, a bird flew in and stuck around.  It was amazing."

Asked about his choices when it comes to engines, chase vehicles and transporters, James replied, "I have a real love for Chevy engines when it comes to my cars, and I am lucky to have a Freightliner flat bed for transport.  When it comes to trucks, it's Ford all the way.  My chase vehicles, loaded with replacement parts, tires and other stuff are F-250s."

"I drive like a crazy man", he says, "everything except the transporter needs to go like hell."

Explaining the reason for the DVDs, he says, "People were always calling and emailing about interning or asking about how to do things, so I decided it was the right time to make this series. I have a young staff, 18 to 30, that are learning the same things and that really connected for me."

The focus of the hour-long productions is to show how "projects can be simple and very doable in your own garage.  I like projects to be simple, clean and minimalist with a less-is-more result," he adds.