1940/41 Willys Gasser: Project Spotlight

1940/41 Willys Gasser

1940/41 Willys gasser arrival ALL STEEL body

Willys have been an staple of gasser builds for decades. Their weight distribution and ease of customization makes them a popular choice. However, since drag racing is the primary use of a gasser style build fiberglass front clips became popular. It's rare to find an all steel body, but we are lucky enough to be restoring one at Driven! The main body is a 1940, and the front clip and doors are from a 1941. 

When the car arrived it was in various stages of restoration. The chassis had been modified, partially boxed and had suspension modifications. The x-frame had been cut out and re-welded and the rear suspension was completely non-functional with the leaf spring shackles installed incorrectly. The ladder bar system was actually posing a safety risk in the configuration it was in, cutting out part of the x frame to fit them. 

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1969 Nova SS Project Spotlight

1969 Nova SS 396: Project Spotlight

This 1969 Nova was purchased locally by it's owners and had a few details that needed improvement right away. It was updated and upgraded in a few different stages at our shop, Driven Restorations in Randolph WI.

We first went through the mechanical inspection. While there were glaring concerns about the longevity of the engine we did some basic maintenance and got it in safe working order for it's first cruise season. Later that year, the car returned for it's necessary engine overhaul. The 396 was using about a quart of oil between every gas tank fill up. We rebuilt the engine over winter and did an overall facelift of the engine bay to get the car owners back on the road for the summer season once again! That season was far more enjoyable for them, but there was still something missing.

Third time is the charm for this muscle car as it came back to the shop for a full facelift. The transformation was really incredible as the Nova went from dull and boring baby blue to the brilliant Hugger Orange the car owners were looking for.

    

1969 Nova SS arrival shortly after being purchased. Complete inspection and mechanical repairs were first on the list for that summer's cruise season.

Bigger rear tires and gave this Nova some attitude and stance 

SOLD!1949 Chevrolet 3100 Classic Pickup Truck

Truck was sold on Bring A Trailer 2023: 1949 Chevy 3100

Photo taken summer 2021, this classic Chevy is in immaculate condition!

This is your opportunity to purchase a rare beauty

Offered for sale is this 1949 Chevrolet 3100 1/2 ton pickup truck. It was fully restored in 2012 by us at Driven Restorations LLC. Work included complete frame off body and paint, restored original bed wood, new original style interior and complete mechanical overhaul. The original 216 c.i. in-line 6 engine was fully re-built. This truck has the 3 speed on the column manual transmission.

Mom's T-Bird Goes Rogue! 1959 Thunderbird SEMA Build

"MOM'S T-Bird" GOES ROGUE!

Flash back to 1961: "Pop's" is nervously deciding whether to purchase the highest priced car he's ever looked at, a 1959 Thunderbird, for his wife. It's not a new car, with a list price of about $3600 that is out of the question! But a 3 year old car is still a big investment.

It had low miles, was in good running condition and would be reliable for her and the kids to get around town, but still! That sticker price! 

It never would have occurred to him that some day the car will be worth MORE than what he paid. And why would he think that? After all, it's just a car! It get's you from point A to point B and the more you use them the more they cost you until they are worth less than the parts to fix them! Right? 

Luckily, Pop's found the gumption to make the purchase in 1961 becoming the 2nd owner of the Colonial White Ford powered by a 352 FE engine and C-6 transmission. He drove it home to give to his wife and thus, the '59 Thunderbird became "mom's car.

The family pictured in front of the '59 Thunderbird 

The kids are ready for Easter! circa 1965

Last tagged in Missouri in 1992, the car has been mostly summer driven and stored for the majority of it's life, which has saved most of the body of the car and made it into something of a time capsule. When removing the seats and carpet, some treasures from the past were found like Battleship  board game pieces in the back seat, a bouncy ball and a wrapper from M&M Lime Chewies (Curious? Here's more info at "in the 70's" ...fyi these later became Starburst!). 

How did the car end up here at Driven?...

For the Love of Mopar

It's "Mopar or no car"

1969 Dodge Charger

This 1969 Dodge Charger can snap your head back as it launches down the quarter mile, drown out conversation with open headers, or quietly join the area car cruises. The owner of this car is a die hard Mopar man and has found ways to enjoy his car to fullest for the decades that he's owned it.

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. 

Driven Restorations in the News!

Car restoration business helps people drive their dream

We were recently featured in the Beaver Dam Daily Citizen. We are excited for the show circuit this summer and will continue the activities this Sunday at the Beaver Dam Swan City Car Show.

Thank you to all the local business's for their support and excellent service!

Steve and Molly Gursky with the recently completed 1949 Chevrolet 3100 5-window

The following was published by The Daily Citizen and was written by Amanda Lutey:

RANDOLPH — A car restoration business that prides itself on quality work has a simple goal – helping people drive their dream.

Steve Gursky Jr. and his wife, Molly, own Driven Restorations, located at their rural Randolph home.

The Gursky's moved to Randolph from northwestern Wisconsin a few years go when Molly had a job change. A graduate of Wyotech, Steve said he’s been working on cars since he was 8 or 9, and working on them professionally for about 12 years.

Driven Restorations will work on projects big and small, from a frame-off restoration to minor repairs and does almost everything in house except upholstery and machine work on engines. Driven Restoration fully document projects – including photographs and videos so the owner can see the process.

The Gursky's said they try to stay with local suppliers as much as they can.

Steve said he takes pride in his work, and considers each car he works on to be an advertisement for his business.

“People really notice the details,” he said. “It’s all about the details.”

Molly said a project can be restored back to stock, or customized with performance parts.

The Gursky's said the car scene is a lot bigger in this area than it was in northern Wisconsin. Steve had worked for an auto body shop on restoration and collision projects. He said he’s not going to get rich working on restorations through his current business.

“You have to have a passion to do it,” Steve said.

Steve restores a limited number of vehicles a year and Molly does all the bookkeeping(,customer service) and marketing.

“We do things knowing we will stand behind them,” Steve said. “All work is guaranteed.”

"We really focus on quality,” said Molly. “But we make sure we do what the customer wants.”

Current projects include a 1965 Ford Galaxie and a 1959 Dodge Sierra Spectator nine passenger wagon.

“I like old cars,” Steve said. “I could do this all day, everyday - and I do.”

Driven Restoration plans to be at the annual Swan City Car Show on Sunday in Beaver Dam, and will serve as a show sponsor for the Cruzin’ Portage Car and Truck Show on June 24.

To learn more about Driven Restorations, call (608) 609-5041, or (920)326-9314 find them on Facebook or visit their website, www.drivenrestorations.com.

alutey@capitalnewspapers.com

The Swan City Car Show will take place Sunday at Swan City Park in Beaver Dam. Admission is free for spectators. The event opens at 8 a.m. An awards presentation will begin after 3:30 p.m.