As a businessman, car enthusiast and TV personality who captured our hearts the moment he debuted on Netflix in ‘Tex Mex Engines‘, Robert Clifton “Rabbit” Pitts was a fan favorite. We say “was” because he sadly passed away shortly after filming the second season of this vehicle makeover reality series, earning him a tribute at the very end. The end card following Season 2 Episode 8, titled “A Deal with El Diablo,” actually says darkly: “In memory of our friend Robert ‘Rabbit’ Pitts.” We love you and we will always remember you.

Robert “Rabbit” Pitts developed a passion for cars at a young age

It was when Rabbit was just a young boy growing up in Greenville, South Carolina that he first fell in love with all things cars, thanks to his father, a racer stock car owner and car salesman. Therefore, of course, it was only a matter of time before he turned his attention to the world of classic cars and got jobs at various dealerships to learn everything there is to know about this industry. That’s actually where he got his nickname: one of the dealership owners where he worked nicknamed him Rabbit for selling more cars in a day than most salespeople sold in one. month.

Little did anyone know that this would only motivate Rabbit more, pushing him to make a name for himself in a way that would surpass all possible limits to help him truly prove his mettle. So it’s no surprise that he eventually became CEO-owner of his family business, Pitts Truck Service (established in 1968), and his own business, Rabbits Used Cars. Then, in 2018, he started his own YouTube channel under the name VINwiki, where he frequently uploaded videos covering the work he did restoring vintage cars or sharing stories from his many experiences in the automotive world.

If we’re being honest, Rabbit had a particular interest in classic American pickup trucks as well as muscle vehicles, which he wasn’t shy about highlighting in his online content. Nonetheless, when he got the opportunity to be part of Borderland Customs in El Paso, Texas for “Tex Mex Motors” (established June 2023), he primarily served as a sales guru and negotiator. In other words, even though this production featured several types of cars that he was known to restore himself because of his interest in them, he was actually working behind the scenes to make deals.

Robert “Rabbit” Pitts has died following a cancer diagnosis

It was at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in November 2023 that Rabbit started feeling seriously unwell, just for it to be followed by weight loss and acid reflux. So the Seneca, South Carolina native obviously sought treatment with the support of his loved ones, but nothing worked until he was finally diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in March 2024. Yet instead of letting this turn his world upside down, he decided to lead as normal a life as possible while continuing to undergo treatment. He therefore continued filming season 2 of “Tex Mex Motors” until the end before his condition unfortunately worsened.

Rabbit even married his longtime girlfriend-turned-fiancée, Randi Foraker, shortly after his diagnosis, in the hopes that they could somehow lead a long and happy life, but in vain. This father cat’s condition actually continued to worsen until he finally passed away in a hospice facility on August 25, 2024 – he was only 45 years old at the time and also leaves in mourning his mother. It’s worth mentioning that, in true Rabbit fashion, a video titled “This Is Goodbye (RIP 7/27/79 – 8/25/24),” documenting his battle with cancer, was released on his YouTube channel shortly soon after, and his funeral was preceded by a two-hour car show at Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley, South Carolina.

Upon hearing the news of Rabbit’s passing, many of his co-stars, as well as his colleagues, also paid tribute to him on their respective social media platforms. Master Maker Wesley “Wes” Zachary writing“Rip, my friend. We have had some of the best times together. You will be missed by many. I love you buddy. As for motors and electricity expert Jaime, she wrotein part: “With a heavy heart, Rabbit, everyone will miss you. You were the best storyteller and made me laugh until I cried sometimes. You were the first to contact me when we were called to make a Netflix show to feature you. Your knowledge of cars was astonishing… You were like a brother to me, working vacations and nights to do something great. I love you and I miss you already.

Learn more: Tex Mex Motors’ Jaime Hjelm: Here’s Everything We Know About Her