Addressing the Generation Gap in the Classic Car Industry

"Son on a '69": photo credit: Carrie Anciaux Photography

The following is a link to a Monterey Experts Panel sponsored by Hagerty.
 http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2014/08/14/on-the-generational-shift-in-car-collecting/

The link will take you to Hemming's Motor News blog and has generated a significant amount of commentary. I am in the minority group of those that commented.

Leave the Waving to the Driver

Have you ever seen a car wave at you?

 You may have no idea what that means. I'm referring to the shimmer of light as it reflects of the side of a car that isn't quite straight causing you to notice it "waving" as it rolls by. Many car's that are un-restored are understandably nowhere near straight, and appear extremely wavy. However, there are some classics that have been worked on,and even had frame off restorations that are quite "friendly" and will wave at you as they drive past.

Achieving a show winning level of straight and true body lines does not happen overnight. Nor does it happen by haphazardly applying materials and thinking, "yeah, that'll be good enough!" It requires patience, a baffling number of layers of various materials, knowledge tools and techniques and knowing when to replace, fill, sand, prime, and paint. Plus it needs that touch. What you may not see without the shimmer of clear coat can be detected by sliding a skilled hand over the car, feeling the panels for minor imperfections. I watch Steve do this and marvel at how he will know where every last curve should happen and he can find the smallest of indentations.

It takes a number of steps to prep a vehicle, straighten and finally re-paint it in your chosen color. It's not just for looks, ensuring straight and true panels done the RIGHT way creates the longest lasting restoration and return on investment for you as an owner.

 As an example the 1951 Ford Custom Convertible is seen in multiple photos below. It's not finished yet, but it's on track to being a #1 restoration. This is no small task.

The 1951 Ford Custom Convertible as it arrived at our shop.(above)

Glass Replacement: 50's Ford Pickup

So you've got a broken vent window and you need to save the vent window frame... Now what?  

1954 F100 Broken Vent Window w/Broken Glass

There are no vent window frames available, and the ones on the truck aren't "terrible", so really you could get by with the existing equipment if you could just replace the glass. But how do you get the glass out of the frame?

You could call the glass company. 

They would be more than willing to help you out, and charge you for it.

You could check the forums for repair ideas...but that's probably why you're Googling it right?

Well we found suggestions for the glued-in glass on this  '54 Ford F-100 such as:

"break the window and then dig it out"

"Call the glass company"

Are those your only choices?   No.

We found a much easier solution than breaking  the glass and leaving a mess behind OR paying the glass company.

Classic Auto Repair: Who Do You Trust?

The Classic Mechanic Showcase

If you need a mechanic for your classic car, who do you call? It's not the dealership. Our customer's have trusted us with their investments, family heirlooms and childhood dreams. The next time you need mechanical repairs on your classic car or truck, call someone you can trust! We promise, we won't leave swirl marks in the paint, or grease on the upholstery. We know what that vehicle is worth, both in dollar value and history.

This video features some of the wide variety of cars and trucks that Driven Restorations has had the opportunity to rebuild and enhance over the years we have been in business. Some are fully original restorations, while others are "built to order" for performance. 

What would you build?

Thank you to our customers!  

drivenrestorations.com

Mopar Window Repair/Replacements: 1970 B-Body

 If you need to replace the weather stripping or seals on your windows in a 1970 B-Body Mopar, and you're wondering how in the world the vent window fits back in the door properly, there is little hidden trick.

 There is a screw behind the rubber on the vertical vent window channel. When the screw is removed, you can pull the vertical piece of the vent window outward, just enough, after the whole assembly is in the door, to allow for installation of the door glass and glass guides.  See photos below.

1. All glass and trim removed from the car. The vent widow was cleaned and inspected.  This car, a 1970 Roadrunner, received all new glass channel run, felt, glass guides, hardware, and weatherstrip. You will need a phillips head screwdriver and likely PBR or WD40 to get the screw to loosen.

 

Parts and Pieces: The 1965 Galaxie and "other" Ford's

The good news about having this Galaxie: This vehicle type is growing in popularity
The bad news about having this car: We still have this car...and it's still not done! But, that's the story of a shop owned project.

1965 Ford Galaxie Fastback

We have gotten a lot of questions about where we source parts for this car (and several other Fords) and we will share some of our thoughts on our sources below in this blog post.  We are well on our way to having her up for sale. We just need the "free time"

1970 Road Runner: Mopar Makeover

1970 Road Runner (Before)

This 1970 Mopar arrived at the shop with 90% original parts and featured a mere 38,000 original miles. While that is often considered desirable, the lack of updated parts(such as spark plug wires) left this Plymouth Road runner with a rough idle and in dire need of maintenance.

After closer inspections it became obvious that the blue on blue Road Runner was also in need of a face lift. Although there is something to be said for an all original time capsule, she needed some attention...

1949 Chevy Pickup 3100: Frame Off Restoration

Enjoy these before and after photos and video of one of our first and favorite frame off restoration of this 5 window 1949 Chevy 3100 Pickup

Mechanical, body, paint and interior were completed by Driven Restorations LLC.

                     

Refinishing the original bed boards was a labor of love for the owner. The challenge with using the original boards was the oil staining from the extra mechanical parts leaking over the years. With some time and patience the boards were brought back to their former glory and kept some of their original character. 

Photographing Your Dream. Living Ours.

The Arrival  Documentation

1959 Dodge Sierra Spectator Wagon

When we first lay our eyes on your car there are always at least 3 very excited people present. Steve is excited to see what's under that paint, you're excited to get your project underway, and I(Molly, photographer/co-owner ), am terribly excited to find the nuances that will shine through in the photos and make you say "wow!".

We begin with a complete photo documentation(and often video) of the the vehicle as it sits. But we don't settle for "just pictures"

1951 Ford Custom Convertible

We are delighted to welcome the 1951 Ford Custom Convertible. Fresh from hiding in the depths of a barn on the owner's property for over 3 decades. This one family owned vehicle is the perfect example of why keeping all the little pieces of paper that gather over the years can really pay off. The original paperwork for the purchase, key holder from the dealership and service tags on the inner door frame were all intact. 

Mechanically, this car is a picture of meticulous maintenance over it's life. The flathead V8 still turns over, the oil is clean and free from discoloration, all the lights work and the tires still hold air even after all those years lying in wait to see the road again.

The '51 Ford before being removed from her home in the shed

We suspect that there has never been a car more loved by a family across multiple generations. Every part, down to the smallest interior trim pieces are still on this car and all the documentation follows closely behind. This vehicle will be completely restored back to the owners memory right down to the am radio. He want's it to be just as he remembers the car when he took rides in it as a child.

See the 1951 Ford Custom Convertible Gallery as we work on the car over the coming months.