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Video: Richard Rawlings and the “Jail” Rumors: What Auto Fans Need to Know
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Video: Richard Rawlings and the “Jail” Rumors: What Auto Fans Need to Know

1968-Shelby-Mustang-convertible-clone-Richard-Rawlings-Gas-Monkey-GarageYouTube videos claim the Fast N’ Loud star is behind bars. The truth? A years-old civil case, now settled, is being recycled as clickbait.

The Rumors

Gas Monkey Garage builds

Above and lead photo: Gas Monkey Garage builds - cars just above auctioned off on Bring a Trailer

Richard Rawlings, founder of Gas Monkey Garage and star of Discovery’s Fast N’ Loud, has been the subject of sensational online claims. YouTube videos declare he’s “in jail” or “facing legal trouble.” For fans who followed every custom build on TV, that’s concerning news.

But after checking court records and local reporting, the facts tell a very different story: Rawlings is not in jail and has no active criminal case against him.

Where the Story Comes From

1958 Corvette Richard-Rawlings-copy

The “legal trouble” narrative stems from a civil lawsuit filed in 2018. Rawlings clashed with partners at Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill, a Dallas restaurant and concert venue that licensed his brand.

The claims—worth roughly $6 million—centered on defamation and contract disputes. It was a messy fight, but crucially:

  • It was civil, not criminal.
  • It involved the bar and music venue, not the car garage fans know from TV.

Settlement and Rebrand

1968 Ford LTD Richard Rawlings and crew

In August 2021, both sides reached a settlement and jointly dismissed their claims. Soon after, the venue rebranded to Amplified Live, publicly stating it had no connection to Richard Rawlings or the Gas Monkey brand.

That was the end of the dispute.

Video: Gas Monkey Bar & Grill is Back

Richard Rawlings Gas Monkey Bar and Grill Sturgis

 

Gas Monkey Garage Today

Richard-Rawlings-Gas-Monkey-Garage_jpg copy

While Fast N’ Loud wrapped in 2020, Rawlings and Gas Monkey Garage are still active. The shop produces content on YouTube, Rawlings hosts a podcast, and the brand continues to engage fans through builds, appearances, and merchandise.

In short: the garage is alive, and Rawlings is very much part of the automotive scene.

Why the “Jail” Stories Keep Spinning

1987_chevrolet_pickup_GM-87-Chevy-C10-Truck-6192-1-86394-scaled-1-78210-838x559

Clickbait thrives on exaggeration. By blending the civil lawsuit with Rawlings’ TV fame, content creators churn out attention-grabbing but misleading videos.

Local reporting and Dallas County court records confirm: no current legal trouble, no jail time.

Sidebar Box: Gas Monkey Garage vs. Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill

Gas Monkey Garage

  • Dallas auto shop, basis of Fast N’ Loud.
  • Owned and operated by Richard Rawlings.
  • Still active, producing cars and content.

Gas Monkey and Testa EV copy

Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill / Gas Monkey Live

  • Restaurant & live music venue run by other partners.
  • Licensed the Gas Monkey brand name.
  • Involved in 2018 lawsuit with Rawlings.
  • Settled in 2021, rebranded as Amplified Live, no current ties to Rawlings.

Takeaway: The garage is Rawlings’ brand. The bar was a separate venture, now in the past.

The Final Word

Pantera bought at Barrett Jackson

Above and below: Richard Rawlings purchases the Ring Brothers' custom De Tomaso Pantera at Barrett-Jackson.

Pantera engine

ringbrothers-adrnln-de-tomaso-pantera-3 copy

ringbrothers-adrnln-de-tomaso-pantera-2 copy

For auto enthusiasts, the truth matters: Richard Rawlings is not behind bars, nor is he entangled in fresh lawsuits. The old bar-related dispute is long settled.

So next time a flashy video title shouts “jail,” remember: it’s just recycled drama. The cars - and the man who helped make them famous - are still rolling strong.

Classic Industries & the American Muscle Car Hobby

1965_ford_mustang-k-code_GM-65-Mustang-1140-3-10668-scaled-1-71912-838x559 copy

Above: 1965 Ford Mustang K-code, Hi-Po V8, four-speed manual fastback

Speaking of famous, Classic Industries has been in the American Muscle Car Hobby for 50+ years! Providing GM, Mopar, and Ford components for these magnificent American muscle machines from the land of the free and the home of the brave to the world at large is an honor and a privilege! Classic Industries has and is helping millions of customers at home and abroad on a daily basis.

68_Camaro_SS_Brown_68_Camaro_Next_to_67_Mustang

Above: CI customers' cars - Camaro and Mustang getting some feature photography attention at Classic Industries

Customers can shop online on the ever-expanding and ever-improving Classic Industries' website. Enhancing the online search is also a breeze with the voluminous and critically significant muscle car parts and accessories catalogs. Classic Industries is also deploying digital parts and accessories catalogs. As always - happy building, shopping, showing, driving, racing, restoring, and restomodding these mighty American muscle cars that continue to capture the attention of a world of admirers thanks to companies like Classic Industries, Gas Monkey Garage, and intelligent automotive entrepreneurial businessmen like Jeff Leonard and Richard Rawlings!

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