021 - Chris Ashton

What this episode covers

On this episode of the MF Show, we sit down with Chris Ashton, founder of Ruffian Cars, to talk about the unlikely path from video game development to building some of the most distinctive performance driven cars on the road today.Chris shares how a decades-long career in game design at companies like Valve and Turtle Rock Studios working on titles such as Counter-Strike and Left 4 Dead ultimately gave him the freedom to chase a lifelong obsession with cars. What started as personal projects in a garage evolved into Ruffian, a shop built around the idea of blending race inspired engineering with real world drivability.The conversation digs deep into what makes a great car beyond paint and horsepower. Chris explains why usability, serviceability, and performance matter more to him than traditional show car perfection, and how autocross and track driving influence nearly every design decision. From building dream cars like his wide body Mustang and GT40 to creating client builds that still carry a strong Ruffian identity, he breaks down the thinking behind each project.Chris also opens up about shop culture, training fabricators from the ground up, and why personal project time was critical to building a skilled and motivated team. He shares honest insight into the challenges of running a high end custom shop, balancing passion with sustainability, and carving out a unique lane in a crowded industry.This episode is a deep dive into car enthusiasm, creative problem solving, and building cars that are meant to be driven hard, not just admired from a distance.

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