ROBERT Pitts, also known as Rabbit in the car world, died on Sunday after a battle with stomach cancer – leaving behind millions of fans who celebrated his work.
Among those who admired him was his close friend, Travis Bell, who worked with Pitts on the YouTube channel, VINwiki.
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Bell spoke to Road and Track about what Pitts was like behind the scenes.
“A lot of people liked ‘Rabbit,” Bell told the publication.
“But my friend was Rob. Rabbit was Rob amplified. Still genuine, still him, but louder and better on camera,” he continued.
“And I never met anyone who was better on mic than Rob. Rabbit was Rob Pitts on steroids.”
Pitts was well known among car enthusiasts, but he rose to national prominence on the Netflix show, Tex Mex Motors.
The show followed Pitts and fellow motors professional, Marcos “Scooter” Carrerra, hunt for vintage cars in Mexico.
The two then transported them to their shop in El Paso, Texas to restore them.
Tex Mex Motors premiered on Netflix in June 2023 and began filming its second season earlier this year.
‘MY BEST ADULT FRIEND’
Bell said that Pitts was his “best adult friend” and praised him for the way he lived his life.
“He shoved three lifetimes into his short time here,” Bell told Road and Track.
Pitts died at the age of 45 after a battle with stomach cancer.
His videographer, Jeff, posted Pitts’ final video to YouTube and confirmed his death in the comments.
“Hey everyone, this is Jeff (Rob’s Videographer). I am with him now in Hospice,” he wrote.
“He just passed at 21:45 on 08/25/2024. He will be missed and we will never forget him!”
The video featured a series of photos and a final message from Pitts to his fans.
He explained that he “started feeling off” and was losing weight before shooting the second season of Tex Mex Motors.
Pitts then developed acid reflux-like symptoms and his castmate Jaime, who he affectionately referred to as his “set mom” took him to the emergency room.
“I accomplished my dream of buying my own store, finishing season 2 of Netflix, and marrying the love of my life,” the video read.
“Luckily she doesn’t mind doing long-term things with a short-term guy,” he added.
Bell said that Pitts married his wife, Dr. Randi Foraker, just a few months after his cancer diagnosis.
“He was a guy who grew up in a trailer park and wound up married to a doctor,” Bell recalled.
He also praised his late friend’s success on Tex Mex Motors.
“On his Netflix show ‘Tex-Mex Motors’ they never had to write anything for him,” Bells said.
“They’d just point him at a car and let him riff. It was amazing. All I could think was, ‘How did you pick that cherry trivia out of thin air.’”
Symptoms of stomach (Gastric) cancer
Pitts’ final piece of advice to fans was to keep an eye on their health and to get to the bottom of any issues they have if they feel something is wrong.
- Trouble swallowing
- Belly pain
- Feeling bloated after eating
- Feeling full after eating small amounts of food
- Not feeling hungry when you would expect to be hungry
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Losing weight without trying
- Feeling very tired
- Stools that look black
Source: Mayo Clinic
JOURNEY TO FAME
Pitts grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and built up his family business, Pitts Truck Service.
He frequently posted car content on social media and was ahead of the curve on classic truck collecting.
“He was way ahead of us on OBS. That’s Rob-talk for Old Body Style trucks,” Bell said.
Pitts hit the big time with his Netflix show, which significantly increased his following.
He shoved three lifetimes into his short time here,”
Travis Bell
His co-star, Carrerra, wrote a touching tribute to Pitts on Instagram.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I write about the passing of my cast member & friend ROB ‘RABBIT’ PITTS. Rest In Peace Brother, I’m going to really miss you!!!” he wrote alongside two photos of them on set.
Pitts’ videographer vowed to keep his YouTube channel alive after his death.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to VINwiki for comment but didn’t immediately hear back.
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