At Maffett Motorwerks, the custom builds are more than machines—they’re moving stories forged in metal, passion, and purpose.
Behind the brand are co-founders Dan Maffett and Andy Sheppard, a dynamic duo best known for their hot rod creations, concept renderings, and appearances on Powernation TV, Amazon Prime, and stages like SEMA and Detroit Autorama.
But their latest project isn’t about horsepower or aesthetics—it’s about hope.
A Dream Ride for a New Chapter
Andy Sheppard recently surprised his wife, Sarah, with her dream car: a 1983 Jeep Wagoneer. But this wasn’t just any birthday present. It marked her first opportunity to drive in seven years, following a long and difficult battle with serious health challenges, including brain surgery.
After years of rehabilitation and uncertainty, Sarah has finally been cleared to return to the road.
This Jeep symbolizes so much more than a vehicle. It’s a fresh start for Sarah.
Sarah has already seen the Wagoneer—and she’s in love. The custom build is now being detailed and finalized for its public debut at an upcoming car event, where she’ll see it finished for the first time.
The entire journey, from finding the Jeep to restoring it, will be documented in a video story by Dan and Andy on their YouTube channel.
Back Behind the Wheel
Now that she’s stepping back into the driver’s seat, Sarah reflects on what freedom truly means to her.
“Today, I’m really focusing on appreciating the small things that I took for granted before my brain tumor—like the freedom to go wherever I want, run errands without asking for a ride, or order takeout without paying delivery fees. It never occurred to me to be grateful for something as simple as picking up dinner. But now? I don’t think it’ll be possible to drive my Wagoneer without smiling.”
For Sarah, this Jeep isn’t just a vehicle—it’s a milestone. A marker of how far she’s come, and the strength she never knew she had.
“I genuinely did not believe I would ever recover enough to drive again,” she admitted.
“Originally, I was told the amount of function I regained within six months after surgery was all I’d ever get. But my husband refused to believe that.”
Andy continued to support her through speech therapy, occupational therapy, and years of rehab. He never gave up—and neither did she.
“When we finally found a rehabilitation group that helped, it was like a light at the end of the tunnel. I busted my butt in therapy for two years. Now, I’m not just driving—I’m about to start my first job since 2018. This Jeep is a symbol of that entire journey.”
Powered by Passion—and Practicality
To get the Jeep road-ready and registered, Dan and Andy turned once again to Dirt Legal’s Montana registration services—a solution they’ve used for multiple projects.
They had considered other options like Delaware, but recent changes in Clean Car Acts and Antique Vehicle regulations made Montana the most reliable choice. Plus, forming a Montana Vehicle LLC lets them manage their growing fleet of custom builds more efficiently and cost-effectively.
Advice to Others on the Road to Recovery
For those still in the thick of healing, Sarah has powerful words of encouragement.
“Recovery isn’t linear. There’s no deadline. It took me seven years before I was able to drive again. Lean on your support system. Be deliberate about finding contentment in the little things. If you can’t do something today, celebrate what you can do. That mindset made all the difference for me.”
“Now that I’ve actually recovered enough to reclaim the life I thought I had lost, I can’t even describe the joy I feel doing everyday tasks like reading, driving, or even sending this email.”
More Than a Car—It’s a Comeback Story
Sarah’s Jeep Wagoneer isn’t just a classic ride—it’s proof that healing takes time, love, and a little horsepower. It’s a reminder that the road to recovery isn’t always straight, but every mile matters.
At the heart of this build is something even more powerful than an engine: resilience. And for the team at Maffett Motorwerks, it’s the kind of project that proves why they do what they do—not just to build dream cars, but to drive life-changing moments.
Because sometimes, the most meaningful journeys don’t start with a destination—they start with a second chance.
