Introducing “Local Legends”: Celebrating East Coast Automotive Icons
The East Coast car community is more than just a collection of passionate gearheads—it’s a tightly-knit family with shared values of grit, determination, and a love for all things automotive. At the heart of this community are individuals who have risen from humble beginnings, transforming their lives through sheer hard work, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
These are the people we call Local Legends.
In our inaugural blog post series, Local Legends, we will shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of the automotive world who came from the East Coast through real, unfiltered interviews. These individuals exemplify the values that resonate with the car culture—dedication, creativity, and the drive to inspire future generations. Through their passion for cars and motorsports, they’ve built legacies that continue to influence and uplift the local community, embodying what it truly means to be a “local legend.”
Each month, we will feature a new individual or team, sharing their journey from the streets of their hometown to becoming an icon. These legends have not only mastered the art of performance and customization but also cultivated a spirit of mentorship, ensuring that the next generation of racers, builders, and automotive enthusiasts can carry on the tradition.
Stay tuned as we dive into the stories of these remarkable people who, despite all odds, have turned their love for cars into lifelong careers and have left an indelible mark on the East Coast automotive scene. Through Local Legends, we hope to inspire and celebrate the passion, creativity, and perseverance that define our community.
Welcome to Local Legends—where stories of humble beginnings turn into legacies that stand the test of time.
Meet Local Legend #1: Eric Wade
Eric Wade is the driving force behind Dirty Money Motorsports and the mastermind behind the renowned MailFraud build. From working alongside NASCAR legends to reviving forgotten relics like MailFraud, Wade exemplifies the resilience and creativity that defines East Coast automotive culture. Starting from humble beginnings and fueled by his father’s passion, he has built a legacy that not only dominates the streets but also inspires future generations of car enthusiasts.
Our pilot interview with Eric can be found below!
We met at the Coastal Virginia Auto Show in Virginia Beach, VA in 2023 and my son appreciated seeing your outrageously awesome MailFraud build – take us back a bit since there was some hard work to get it to this point. Where did this journey begin?
My Father grew up working his rear end off to make sure our family could get what we needed to live. He has always been an inspiration to everyone around him. It was a tough time to get through his passing and we channeled his love in this build. Our hope through all of this is we can pass on a bit of the joy and showcase commitment to the future generation of our communities. Without him MailFraud and Dirty Money Motorsports wouldn’t exist. I miss him every day.
Tell us about your involvement with Dirty Money Motorsports. How did it all begin?
What started as Wade Motorsports racing with the family had evolved over the years and the evolution warranted a new name. We wanted to rally around each other in a way that brought the passion and enthusiasm for life that I shared with my Father to more people. We didn’t start with massive funding or a concrete vision. Frankly, we set out to do something together and have a bit of fun along the way – I couldn’t have written a better story about what was to come.
Growing up, did you always have a passion for automotive and motorsports?
The tugging and calling to automotive was always there. I’ve always been a “jump in and use your hands” kind of guy and automotive allows me to pair that with creativity and passion. It shows in our family’s history too – we spend a lot of time in the garage, at the track, and it helps us bond as a family.
This isn’t your first foray into automotive though. Tell us more about your NASCAR history?
Right! I used to work alongside driver Denny Hamlin. Working in the trailer shop and one late model taught me a ton. That’s where I picked up a considerable amount of experience with welding and fabrication. The amount of knowledge you pick up working alongside someone like that day-to-day and the team that surrounded it is invaluable. We learned what it’s like to work under pressure, rally around a common challenge, and solve it (quickly) to get the job done.
Can you take us back to the moment you decided to pull MailFraud out of the woods? What inspired that decision?
It’s a wild story. We had seen this 70’s AMC Postal Jeep just rotting away and my wife thought I was a bit crazy heading into the woods to pull out an old, forgotten piece of history.. To be honest – as we went further and further into the woods I started to question it a bit myself! I think she had 911 on speed dial in case we found ourselves in the middle of a movie plot. We’re both glad we finished the run though – it started the MailFraud build and brought us to where we are today.
What challenges did you face during the process of rescuing MailFraud?
The challenges with MailFraud were numerous – fabrication, paint, mechanical – you name it. We learned a lot throughout the process of building it and we couldn’t have done it all alone. We had help from friends, family, and old colleagues came out of the woodworks to help us complete what stands as testament to hard work and dedication today.
We love that name MailFraud – how did you come up with it?
The name is all about irony and humor. It’s a mail Jeep, which was originally built for slow, reliable service. We’ve turned it into something that’s the opposite—a high-performance monster. The idea of it being fraudulent in its new role just clicked. It fits the spirit of the build, which is meant to surprise and break expectations.
Street Outlaws – how did the opportunity come about, and what was the experience like?
This was the one that catapulted us into the spotlight. When we first got the call and had a conversation with the producer of the show, she thought that MailFraud has the “WHOA!” factor they were looking for. We met some amazing people and had some challenges along the way but seems like the audience and even HotWheels agrees! MailFraud was here to stay along with her Big Block and shots of Nitrous.
In what ways do you think the local automotive scene has evolved over the years?
There has been an evolution in the car scene that has now reverted back to what I feel embodies the true spirit of automotive. People coming together, enjoying each other and the builds, and actually having some fun with it. At one point it felt like people were just chasing the latest trends – now there’s a true appreciation for most things people lay eyes on. I hope that continues to be the norm as the next generation of builders lays their eyes on MailFraud and others like it.
Do you have a dream automotive project or collaboration you’d love to pursue in the future?
We met a few people at the Coastal Virginia Auto Show – I’d love to work more closely with Dennis Anderson of Grave Digger and David Aiken of ToyMakerz. Those two I feel closely align with my values, style, and overall mission to bring joy to the automotive community. Recently we’ve had an opportunity to be featured by HotWheelz and seeing MailFraud in the hands of anyone from kids to adults would be a dream come true for us.
How do you balance your passion for automotive with other aspects of your life?
You have to understand that work will always be there and it’s making sure you strike a balance between doing what you need to and doing what you love to. I’m lucky to have my wife, daughter, and family supporting me so that makes it easier. In fact most of the time they jump in and are helping me with putting finishing touches on, pushing me forward, and being a rock. We do stay busy though! Between shows, races, builds, and our love for the equestrian lifestyle – time is valuable. Thankful for my partner in life for all her support.
What does being a “local legend” mean to you, and how do you embrace that role?
It’s a big deal to me and I’m honored. I love that you’re spotlighting folks like me that can come from what I did – overcame all the obstacles – which opened up more doors than if I had never answered the call. I’ve embraced it by doubling down on being active in the community, bringing the future generations closer to realizing they can do it too, and lending a helping hand to others on the same path to pass along the knowledge and love for this incredible community and industry.
Any upcoming projects or events that you’re particularly excited about?
We released BlackMail a while back and the support from everyone has been great. If you keep up with us on Facebook and other social media – you might have seen that I have acquired a few other chassis for future builds. Be sure to follow along there for the latest updates and we’re always happy to take questions or give advice. It’s all about giving back.
Thank you for your time, Eric. Anything else you’d like for the community to know?
Don’t be afraid to ask us anything! The biggest joy for us would be to see you one day with your own build and letting us know we inspired you. We love meeting fans and other enthusiasts at car shows. It’s what we do it for! Can’t wait to make it back to VA Beach for the 2024 Coastal Virginia Auto Show. See you all there!
Thanks for joining us on this ride through Eric Wade’s journey! We hope you enjoyed hearing his story, from the wild rescue of MailFraud to his time with NASCAR, and everything in between. Eric’s passion for cars, family, and the local community truly makes him a “Local Legend.”
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from the East Coast automotive scene, where we’ll continue highlighting those who’ve turned their dreams into legacies. Don’t forget to follow us for the latest updates and interviews! Next up is Josh Joyce from Village Customs!
