6 Things I Learned Restoring Vintage Exotics

"Aaron Vick Starnes" (aaronstarnes) 08/01/2014 at 16:34 • Filed to: None

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For a year and a half I worked as a chrome specialist at a shop specializing in complete restorations of vintage exotic automobiles. This is some of what I learned.

Owners would bring in ultra-rare or extra-special cars and we would put everything back to the specifications of the factory, down to the paint on the back of the dash. I gained intimate knowledge of some of the most elusive and sought-after cars in the world – 300 SL Gullwings, 275 GTB four-cams, Bugattis from the 30's, California Spiders and Testa-Rossas among them.

It was like working in a museum of exotic automotive history, only I got to fondle the exhibits. I got to crawl in, out and all over cars that are the pipe dreams of regular folk. It was glorious … most of the time.

6. Different Standards

Everything had to be spot on; in fact, it had to be better than factory. These cars left our shop much nicer than Ferrari or Bugatti ever intended them to be. There were budgets and deadlines to be met at the factories that produced these cars. At the shop, though, the emphasis was on doing a flawless job no matter how long it took.

The shop kept different hours than most businesses because owners of ultra-rare exotics for the most part are not walk-in customers. The cars came in on transport trucks from all over the nation and abroad. There was this one guy who would drive in his 330 Ferrari, but more on him later.

5. Price Scale

What goes into creating the car you see going on the auction block for seven figures? Work, lots of it, and lots of research too. When playing the car game at this level it pays to do you due diligence. .

Winning or getting a near perfect score at the big shows is a way of certifying how nice a car really is. I was talking to a co-worker who told me a story of showing a car at the Pebble Beach Concours D'elegance. The car was stunning, everything was spot on down to the correct time of day on the dash clock. However when the judges came by one of them noted that the second hand was doing stop-start tick-tock movement rather than the smooth movement of the clock on original cars. This made the car a couple points shy of a perfect score. The judge had done his homework, the guy that rebuilt the clock had not. From then on dash clocks were outsourced to a different company

The owners of these cars could buy a new Ferrari for what these things cost to restore. But the rarity and history connected with these cars makes it worthwhile. As that new Ferrari suffers devastating depreciation, restoring one of these offers a return on the investment come auction time. EVERYTHING becomes extraordinarily expensive when you enter this realm of automobiles.

4. Clientele

Working with such high-priced machinery, you expect the Monopoly guy to stroll in swinging a cane, casting better-than-thou glances through his monocle at the lowly proles slaving away on his car. But I never felt that icy vibe off any of the clients. Most of them were successful entrepreneurs who happened to also be car guys… and let's face it, if we had the bankroll, who wouldn't lay down the cash for their favorite car?

There's a stereotype that these guys are all big-money jerks grabbing up the vintage stuff and driving up prices. But it's really more of a supply and demand situation with the rarest, whether because there were limited numbers to begin with or something historical happened to it, going for the most money. There just aren't enough '58 250 Testa Rossas to go around.

My favorite owner ran what amounts to a giant flea market. He was a self-made man and wore a smile every time I saw him. He'd roll up in his unwashed 1960's 330 and throw his foot up on the front bumper and tie his shoe. "Shoot, I just don't know how you boys get 'em lookin' so shiny." I loved working on this guy's car. It was an older restoration and it wasn't a show queen. It was taken out and driven hard and often. On the console of this little red car, in front of the gated shifter, were all his rally pins stuck right onto his gorgeous black upholstery.

Right there, in full, unabashed view, purists be damned and to hell with what others thought. He drove his six-figure car not caring about the miles it racked up or mollycoddling it. It was refreshing that, among all these pristine show cars there was at least one that still got to turn its tires in anger on public roadways.

3. Etiquette

There's a certain code of behavior when working around these machines. Every car was covered every day with disposable car covers. If a customer was coming, everything in the already tidy shop was tidied further. All the cars were uncovered and cleaned and a deep sweep of the shop was standard procedure.

One thing I learned was to NEVER lean a broom up ANYWHERE. It could fall and ding a car. When shop rates are astronomical, any little ding or chip turns into big money. What's worse is when this sort of thing happens when preparing for a show; it adds one more to-do to an already hectic schedule.

Many of these cars had knock-off wheels, with a big nut in the middle, rather than multiple lug nuts, that is tightened by hitting it with a big lead hammer. The first one of these wheels I had to take off was on a million-dollar show car headed to Pebble Beach with paint so fresh you could still smell it painted. My hand trembled around the handle of the hammer and the first few blows I landed were so soft that they had no chance of loosening anything. But eventually you get used to it and don't think twice. In fact some days you take sick pleasure in swinging a hammer the damn things.

2. It's Just A Car

After rubbing elbows with these things day in day out the just become old cars to you. I did the same job no matter what.

Whether I was working on the irreplaceable radiator shroud from a1930's Mercedes or a bumper of a Super Beetle (which would cost more than the car is worth to have it chromed in this shop), I took the same steps toward flawless chrome.

At one point we had half a dozen 275 GTBs in the shop. Some were in for routine maintenance, some were being prepped for a show and one was being examined for the would-be purchaser to see if it was a good candidate for restoration. There were two California Spiders in the shop at one time. There was always a menagerie of 330s and 275s coming in and out. Exposure to these cars makes them seem less rare and elusive. You almost expect to see one on the drive home.

1. Craftsmanship

Whether it was building engines, creating upholstery, bodywork and paint, or just detail and assembly, these guys were all committed to making everything perfect and as close as humanly possible to what came from the factory. There's one way to stay afloat and relevant in vintage exotic restoration, and that's to hire craftsmen who are willing to do the type of work that yields results at shows like Pebble Beach.

A popular way of thinking of these cars is that rich guys buy them and sell them to one another and the money is just passed around between them, and us ordinary folks are never allowed a taste of either of them. While that's what it looks like from the outside the truth is that the owners pay for these things every step of the way. Yea, there's an initial purchase price, but that's only the beginning. They must be transported, there's a guy for that. They must be restored, rebuilt, repainted and maintained. There are guys for that. The point is that there are guys all along the way that make a living keeping these cars alive, not just rich guys passing money and rare cars around.

Do I miss going to work every day and seeing exotic, sexy cars and having the privilege of saying I work on Ferraris? You bet. Do I worry sometimes that I might never have a cooler job? Sure, but then I remember what it's like to block sand chrome by hand for ten hours a day. Even though I loved the cars, most aspects of my job and didn't mind the work I wanted more from my career. Many of the guys I worked with have worked there over twenty years. All the bases were covered at this shop and there wasn't a great need for anything other than block sanding chrome. When I looked into my future there I saw an endless line of old rusty bumpers and pieces of trim that needed to be made new again.

I made a choice to leave the shop for a soul-sucking, boring, beige, vanilla desk job writing bond proposals at a bank. I only lasted for three months before I realized what I wanted to do with myself. I was reading some article online about cars, surprise, and thought "how cool would it be to do this as a job?" My next thought was "why not me?" I quit the next week. Pen in hand, I went back to school and back to restoration work.

You can read more articles like this on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and follow me at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 16:43

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Terrific post, thanks!

JeepJeremy > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 16:54

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Wow!

Christopher Keach > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 16:55

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It's great to hear some perspective from inside the restoration world. I see what you mean about the many businesses and craftsmen involved in keeping these cars running. The money involved seems ludicrous, but if these cars weren't appreciating investments there would be far fewer of them around.

graham > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 16:55

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Great post, and looking forward to reading more!

tromoly > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 16:57

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I could not possibly agree more with point #2 about cars being cars. Being around things day-in and day-out makes them seem common, I personally have gotten that way with almost every major racing series in the US, being around race cars so much I have caught myself questioning out loud why a certain race car is special.

Great post, reading things from a magazine has its place, but it's the first-hand stories that I could listen to for hours and hours on end, fantastic stuff.

RoadHead -- Armand > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 16:58

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Is the shop located in Los Gatos? I live in Almaden part of the year.

T off the New > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:01

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Nice write-up, interesting to see this kinda stuff from a different perspective

UncleWalty > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:04

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Fantastic post. Great read!

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:06

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That was an epic read, it should get front paged!

emilminty drives an E30 but the '89 Cavalier blew a head gasket > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:08

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This is just beautiful.

thisusernameforsale > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:09

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Very cool, thanks for the insight. I do a boring, repetitive job too. The difference is you care about what you're working on. I'd rather be punched in the face for a living - at least it'd be over quickly.

RedWhine > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:11

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A California Spider is a definite 'lottery list' car for me. Just achingly beautiful.

Bryce Womeldurf > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:13

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Exposure to these cars makes them seem less rare and elusive. You almost expect to see one on the drive home.

This rings true with photographing them as well. I noticed it a few years ago that the more shows I went to, the more exotics I shot, the less blown away I got at seeing them. If anything though, that probably makes them easier to shoot, in terms of critiquing my photography, and was probably easier for you to critique your own work past thinking "it's a Ferrari, so it's divinely perfect in every way just as it is"

Great post

Wishin & workin for an E39 M5 > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:16

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Justal > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:19

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Friend working on now. Love watching the process. To him it's just another restoration. Takes the same care on all of them.

Murphie > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:19

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Great viewpoint. I especially appreciate your reminding us that "there's a guy for that", the money is supporting a community of artisans whose skills would otherwise be lost. On the other hand, I don't think its cool to make these car perfect. Perfect, better than factory is in a way harder than finding out how these cars were actually finished, and reproducing that... of course, one could just buy an original car...which is really rare!

RunningMan > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:19

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You mention that the cars are restored to factory specs, but then you say they are restored to better than factory specs...please elaborate...thank you.

JGrabowMSt > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:20

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You had me at 300SL.

Oh wait, that's just a picture.

I fix computers, but if it were feasible for me, I would drop everything to work in a shop like that. I went to school for broadcasting, but I just have gasoline in my blood, because I will ruin my own plans to make sure my car is ready for the next meet.

McPherson > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:22

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Well done, I enjoy learning stuff. Thanks.

Pdb > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:26

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Re: knock-ff wheels, Dont you use a rubber mallet specially for that?

camaroboy68ss > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:26

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this is also just like all the muscle cars as well right now. But in the muscle car world there is debate going on weather these restorations should be perfect cars or when they say factory original they mean it with the horrid panel gaps, overspray, factory orange peel in the paint. Luckily the muscle cars are more attainable to but and restore the same practice goes on. There are the purists that will only use original or NOS parts. Then there's me where ill buy NOS parts on certain areas but will buy good reproductions because its safer and more economical.

Thedude > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:30

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An article like this rasies both ire and appreciation in me.

I have no end of awe for the work guys like Aaron do to keep classics looking as good as they do. While, even as Aaron admitted, I wouldn't want to make a living out of what is grueling work. However, once you've actually gotten hands on with a car to that extent (I rebuilt a '70 Barracuda 'vert from the ground up for my parents) you just know that on a personal level having the opportunity to do it is a hugely rewarding both to yourself and anyone who gets to see the results.

On the flip side, despite his arguments to the contrary, I have nothing but a feeling of utter spite for the guys who take some of these classic cars and ferry them away to their private garages, only to see the light of day at some high-class snobbery event where a ticket to spectate costs more than a decent sporting event. I know it's hypocritical to say, since if I ever became wealthy enough I sure as hell would have a huge garage full of toys, but even the 'everyman who made it big' like Aaron's entrepreneurs can be jerks if you're not in their pay grade. I think if I was working in a place like Aaron did, and didn't have at least one occassional customer like the '60s 330 guy, I'd probably get fired in no short order for lack of seeing someone who properly enjoys these rolling works of art.

Mikey > RunningMan 08/01/2014 at 17:30

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I'm guessing the implication is that the factory didn't always build them to the specs they intended (hence the comment about deadlines).

Spencedaddy > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:38

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I too worked at a place like this. I got fired/let go/you don't fit in. I was 18 at the time and the guy was a HUGE name in this type of industry.

The broom thing, endless sanding, and grinding is so ingrained.

you and I have similar views, I wouldn't go back to that place, just not my style. great article

Aaron Vick Starnes > Pdb 08/01/2014 at 17:40

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It's made of lead for two reasons. The lead is heavy enough to tighten them when you're hitting the spinner nut to install the wheels. The hubs are threaded in a way that as the car drives around the wheels are tightened. You need that mass to knock them off as they get really tight. Secondly the lead is soft enough not to damage the spinner nut. I thing a rubber mallet might just bounce off.

toecutter (so grey, I gotta wear shades) > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:43

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I see cars like this and I always have to stop myself from touching them. Just touching. I'm not sure what would happen if I did, but I suspect it would be wonderful.

damnthisnoise > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:44

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Great post!

Question: If a NOS, or used part isn't available, are the craftsmen in the shop (or other craftsmen) making new components from scratch? What do you do for (hopefully) non-consumables, like exhausts?

Thanks

Pdb > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:44

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Thanks for the answer, and great post.

RunningMan > Mikey 08/01/2014 at 17:45

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I considered that, but it would be disappointing to learn that Ferrari sacrificed quality to hit a deadline.

Aaron Vick Starnes > damnthisnoise 08/01/2014 at 17:46

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Many thing, like the knock-off hammers and exhaust hangers were fabricated in-house by us. Other things we had recreated by artisans in the field. Rubber components and taillight lenses etc.

eigen > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 17:49

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I worked in a fancy shop doing mechanicals and paint. My lesson was learned, thankfully, on my own car- do not put your screwdriver in your back pocket. And no zippers.

centralvalleymike > camaroboy68ss 08/01/2014 at 17:53

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I, as a car guy, always wondered what it would be like to have been around in the "Hey Day" of muscle cars...would there be cars just bombing around? would there just be awesome exhaust notes rumbling off of main street store fronts? .....now, having grown up and seeing this muscle car renaissance, I can see these new muscle cars everywhere, Cameros, Mustangs, Challengers, and while they're awesome, they just feel like cool cars on the road. Maybe i'd see them differently if I could afford them, but alas, not at the present....i'm not sure that the truth of the first "Muscle Car Era" will ever do justice to the SPIRIT of the "Muscle Car Era"

Racescort666 > camaroboy68ss 08/01/2014 at 17:59

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I have a friend with a 70 Chevelle that he put a ton of work into. It's not a perfect show car by any means and he's got a 502 crate motor in it but it definitely looks nice. The panel gaps were something that were kind of funny though, his attitude was, "well, it bothers me, but that's about what they were like in the 70s so I guess it's ok."

Ilike_cougars > Bryce Womeldurf 08/01/2014 at 17:59

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Agreed, I have gotten so used to seeing Ferrari's that they dont do much for me. A rusty Alfa or Lancia.. I want to take a closer look, i wnt to see whats under the hood, I want to talk to the owners.. get their take on it. Most often than not, its these guys that have the stories to tell...

RW53104 > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 18:00

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Awesome, awesome post. I'd love to read more of these. I'd be really interested in a comparison of how things go down at a resto shop like this compared to a more typical shop. Labor rates, procedures, computer systems, etc.

camaroboy68ss > centralvalleymike 08/01/2014 at 18:01

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from the stories I hear from my grandparents, there were lots of Chevelles, camaro, mustangs,etc on the road but like today many were base models with the little V8s or 6 bangers. Autos were common and stick cars were most 3 speeds. It's seen the proportions of base vs hi pro version is about the same today. The big thing though the old era had over today is color. All the different exterior and interior color option were amazing.

BZiel > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 18:04

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Terrific post.

camaroboy68ss > Racescort666 08/01/2014 at 18:06

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yeah panel gaps were atrocious on muscle cars but these cars were not hand built like the Italian cars, these were assembly line cars. But what I was talking about are concours level muscle cars with original drivetrains and such. It's cool your buddies Chevelle has a 502 but its not a LS6 SS 454 that will score 995/1000 at a concourse show. That's where I was drawing similarities to working on these rare exotics.

BZiel > camaroboy68ss 08/01/2014 at 18:09

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I've got the same resto dilemma now on two cars.

73 Nova SS w/ 350.

1978 Monte Carlo factory 4 spd...one of about 1600 made.

Perfection or factory quality finish?

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 18:10

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Have you ever had someone come in and want your shop to do work on a totally non-prestigious car like a Honda Civic Wagovan or a Ford Tempo?

camaroboy68ss > BZiel 08/01/2014 at 18:12

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depends if you plan on showing it at like a NCRS level show for judging. My 68 is more under perfection because I have so much time on custom show cars.

Mikey > RunningMan 08/01/2014 at 18:22

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They still have notoriously bad QC, check out how often they catch on fire lol.

BZiel > camaroboy68ss 08/01/2014 at 18:34

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Plan to possibly show one, and run the other.

The MC is perfection...100% original factory. Needs a re-paint and carpet. But, I could tighten and "perfect" the fit and finish easily. This car could be shown and blow the socks of anything in its class.

The Nova is a numbers correct project car. But, I have had the engine blown out at at Hendrick Racing in Charlotte and it now pumps about 535hp, so I guess I'm obligated to a modified resto on this one. :-)

CaliD00d > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 18:36

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I find it hilarious that you used a sign from Ferrari of Los Gatos in an article by a guy who worked in a legitimate restoration shop. That is either brilliant comedy or great coincidence. Leaving that aspect aside, I was in that dealer, and I use the term loosely, when two guys were checking out a used convertible, probably a 348 but it has been a while. The salesman used one of the greatest sales lines I have ever heard, by telling them "If you can't get pussy in this car, you might as well turn gay, go home and jerk each other off." To which they both responded "sold."

BiPolarWithCars > damnthisnoise 08/01/2014 at 18:45

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I take a vehicle to some mechanics who work on rare cars - last time I was there they were fabricating an alternator (generator?) mount for a 30s or 40s BMW that was in showroom condition and 1 of less than 10 left on the planet. The alternator had failed and they were using a period correct alternator (generator?) from another car and making the mount from raw steel. I've seen them fabricate anything that old cars needed, if necessary. They simply have the knowledge and tools to do it.

The owner had actually contacted BMW and they were going to try and rebuild his alternator and return it. It is always cool to go to that shop - they'll always be a couple of pre-WWII cars, a couple of muscle cars, and a couple of 50s cars.

Uak42 > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 18:49

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Great post. I love that annecdote about the 330 owner that used his car.

Glad you found your shelf in life and I am so happy to hear that there are people out there that still actually wanna work on cars like this for others and be happy with that. I would hate to work under meticulous conditions where one cannot improvise at all and has to go with the original parts if possible, no matter how hard they sucked in design fx. It wouldn't be for me, but I am so happy that it is for someone cause the finished product looks gorgeous.

I do have hopes to one day be that 330 guy, just enjoying a car cause he likes it.

T5Killer > camaroboy68ss 08/01/2014 at 18:55

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I just kills me to see a modern parking lot full of silver, white and black cars. WTH its so drab and boring.

Racescort666 > camaroboy68ss 08/01/2014 at 19:03

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Gotcha. I guess my story was relating to the people that look at the issues with their restoration projects and go "at least it's better than when it left the factory."

AMGWTFBBQ > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 19:14

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I loved this. I want more of this stuff. This is my favorite thing I've read on Jalopnik in a while.

Howie > camaroboy68ss 08/01/2014 at 19:47

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Years ago I read an article about the restorations House of Kolor was doing on vintage Ferraris and such and the car left in much better shape than when they were new. Panels gaps might have been tight but the hand formed panels left a lot to be desired in shape and accuracy. It wasn't uncommon to have to cut and relocate items like gills or vents so that they were in the same position on both sides of the car or rework a fender so the curves were actually the same and so on. Sometimes even the trim would be slightly different from side to side.

These cars might have built reputations on the notion of being hand built exotics using old world craftsmanship but in truth they were small volume manufacturers who didn't have access to state of the art engineering or manufacturing processes so all that hand fitting and filling was nessecary to get a decent product.

Frobnoid > Thedude 08/01/2014 at 20:23

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You're bringing a lot of attitude to the table that wasn't already there. Any schlub with $135 can join the Ferrari Club of America and hang out with owners of all sorts of exotics, people who are often happy to share their enthusiasm with fellow car nuts regardless of what they drive.

I remember going through Jon Shirley's collection on an FCA tour. Man, if people knew what was in that nondescript warehouse off 116th in Bellevue, Washington...

Frobnoid > eigen 08/01/2014 at 20:26

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Also, it takes 16 acorn nuts to fasten four DCNF Webers to the intake manifold on a Ferrari V8. Not 15. Count your nuts. No, really. Count your nuts. Otherwise, nut #16 might just ruin your whole day.

Ricky Retardo > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 20:54

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I have a side business that performs work at a local shop like the one you wrote about. The shop broom or squeegee thing is true, ans always falls when Murphy's Law is hanging ominously over a show date, lol.

Monsterajr > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 21:24

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I too worked in a shop for about 7mos back in 85'. I was between colleges and dad said to get a job learning a trade. As I had helped him for many years with furniture restoration I did have some skills and had already done some work to my first car, my 76 Capri. So, I got hired in a regular run of the mill body shop to essentially pull apart, reassemble, wet sand, prime and prep various cars. We did have a pair of beautiful 1963 280SE Mercedes Convertibles that were owned by the same guy and they had been redone by this shop. I also was able to sit in a Ferrari 308 and drove a number of Porsche 944 Turbos. We also had a deal with a local BMW shop to do all of their work so I got to drive a ton of 3 series, 5 series and 7's and once got a M635CSI coupe to transport back and forth to our shop. Of course we had a plethora of far more mundane vehicles too. Chevettes, Olds Cutlass's a very very early 85' Pontiac Grand Am that sat in the shop for 5 months waiting for parts to actually be made.

The thing was though, the owner of the shop was an insane Neopolitan who revelled in screaming a string of Italian curse words when he got upset and when really upset would take the air chisel to any vehicle needing a frame ectimy. The noise from that machine still makes me cringe. Oh and the best thing about him that has stuck with me since, every and I mean EVERY car we had in the shop was called "that piece of shit".... It was a great equalizing moment in my head to not get caught up in the aura/expense of the car. I will say he did want the finished products to be done right and wouldn't let a car go out that was not up to snuff, even if they were just pieces of shit to him...

The man in the iron mask > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 21:29

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Ferrari of los gatos, where i live, this would be funny.

Art > centralvalleymike 08/01/2014 at 21:53

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because of laws and regulation all the fun is now at organize events and track days instead.

Aaron Vick Starnes > RunningMan 08/01/2014 at 22:03

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The way I understand it is that the cars were built back in the day to a budget and a timeline to fund Ferrari's race team. Many people will take issues with that statement and poke holes in it. Many more people will take issues with what I'm about to say. These cars from the factory were nice. Nicer than a chevy of the same vintage. The craftsmanship was higher and for the time was in a word nice. The image of Ferrari and the expectation of what a car should be changed drastically in the second half of the 20th century. These things were not luxury cars. They were sexy go fast cars.

The cheapest car you can buy today still has nice, tight, uniform panel gaps. It comes with all its parts and it works. These cars were built by hand, before computer aided drafting and modern manufacturing processes and thus were prone to human error. Some of the same year models came with different features because the parts ran out or there was some issue with the supplier.

All that being said, these cars are exactly like the originals had they been built with

coz312 > Justal 08/01/2014 at 22:07

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Is your friend Shin Yoshikawa? That doesn't look like his shop but I figured I'd ask anyway. How many 2000GT restorers are even out there?

ron > BiPolarWithCars 08/01/2014 at 22:25

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Enough money will generate anything. Someone could build a new Duesenberg with enough money.

ehasley > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 22:51

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This was at our local weekly car cruise tonight, in Pittsburgh. I knew it was something special but I didn't realize how so until I talked to them. Concourse level restoration complete with tool kit. Only thing missing was the luggage.

Annnd.... Then it rained.

Taipan > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 22:58

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Look at my profile pic. '58 Le Mans winner.

lucky's pepper > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/01/2014 at 23:58

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Thoroughly joyed the article. As I read it I just kept thinking how great it would be to work someplace like that, with all the fantastic cars I only get to read about.

Thanks for giving your impression of the wealthy folks who own these cars and pointing out that a whole lot of people make nice livings caring for these machines. A little too much rich people bashing goes on around here from time to time.

claramag, Mustaco Master > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/02/2014 at 02:52

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fuck dude tag your porn

claramag, Mustaco Master > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/02/2014 at 02:55

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So as a restorer of the old, old, old, vintage cars, what do you think restoration of today's cars 80 years from now'll be like?

Justal > coz312 08/02/2014 at 10:37

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Yes, that's his car. I don't know him, but hope to meet him as the restoration continues. Beautiful car. Hope to get a ride.

308GT4 > The man in the iron mask 08/02/2014 at 13:13

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There was a Ferrari of Los Gatos for many years. This is the dealership across from the highschool. They lost their Ferrari franchise when the Ferrari North America decided to only have factory run dealerships and it moved to San Francisco (though really in Mill Valley).

308GT4 > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/02/2014 at 13:20

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Great Article! Where did you work during this period? I was very lucky to grow up around many of the cars you mention. It is amazing how valuable they have become. It is also very interesting who their owners are now. Back then, there were a core group of guys my dad used to hang with that just drove the crap out of these cars. At the time they were just the older models that were still enjoyable and they weren't in to the new 308's etc. In the '80's - 90's the owners changed as the cars became more mainstream.

Congratulations on following your dreams!

Roadster Man > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/02/2014 at 13:22

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Great article! I appreciate you appropriate use of the word "proles."

yurikaze > T5Killer 08/02/2014 at 14:07

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This. In the parking structure below my apartment, my blue 280Z and a red Saturn are the only non-gray scale cars in the whole place.

greenagain > camaroboy68ss 08/02/2014 at 15:47

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I saw some Dodge literature from around '68, and there were 36 different color options.

Most cars today have about 10.

ldympr > camaroboy68ss 08/02/2014 at 22:31

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Totally there with you! Add to that, I am a woman who did the work-some guys won't or can't believe that.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/02/2014 at 22:50

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That's a penis.

my car smells like crayons > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/03/2014 at 12:45

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0. Never, and I mean NEVER , let anyone other than the customer or the mechanic drive the car.

MotoArigato > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/03/2014 at 18:05

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Excellent, truly excellent writing, and what a compelling piece. I very much enjoyed this as I tend to like behind-the-scenes type stuff in general, and I think you probably have enough memories and material to write several articles about your experiences in this shop, maybe a specific car that was especially problematic or rewarding to work on. Cool man, just cool!

gkwilly > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/03/2014 at 18:32

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There is an exhibit at the ACD (Auburn Cord Duesenberg) museum in Auburn IN (well worth the visit) which discusses the issue of restoration vs original build quality. When it comes to old vehicles, modern tech allows for finish that wasn't even possible.

They suggested that at least sometimes an exhibit car should, for informative value, reflect the actual car as produced, not an idealized version of it.

C-5M Load Smasher > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/04/2014 at 10:31

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What is that hiding back there.... Mmmm

T5Killer > yurikaze 08/04/2014 at 10:38

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Yep its at my work a very large call center there is one non gray scale car a Gotta Have it green Mustang v6.

Aaron Vick Starnes > C-5M Load Smasher 08/04/2014 at 14:44

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V12

damnthisnoise > ron 08/04/2014 at 15:11

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But without an original vin plate it would be a replica. Sigh.

SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O) > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/04/2014 at 19:35

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What a great post. I currently work at a restoration shop and everything above rings true, especially the bit about cars seeming less special. There are currently 3 one-off Ferraris, a 1-of-3 Momo Mirage, a 1-of-1 Pegaso Z-102 Series II Cab, a 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS, and a Lamborghini LM002 that belonged to Stallone to name just a few (I could go on for days without getting bored), but my favorite car in the shop is a three way tie between a BMW 3.0 CSL, a resto-modded BMW 2002 Turbo, and a street legal Volvo 123GT race car. Somehow those cars just seem more special to me.

Perhaps its because all three have been modified in some way by the owners and thus are not only the only one just like it, but also are a more personal expression of who drives them...

But maybe, if I'd rather take a Volvo over a Siata or 300SL, I'm just crazy.

C-5M Load Smasher > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/05/2014 at 10:49

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(licks lips)

AlexOsadzinski > CaliD00d 08/10/2014 at 21:56

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I was very glad to see that particular dealer go away. I've had many very positive experiences with buying exotic cars, and one bad one. They provided the bad one.

torque > Aaron Vick Starnes 08/22/2014 at 23:07

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"Some of the same year models came with different features because the parts ran out or there was some issue with the supplier."

Or you have different sized nuts on opposite ends of the same part (say a bradded stainless steel hose with 15 mm connection nut on one end and a 1/2 inch connection on the other end.

There's a wheeler dealer episode where Ed is restoring a Lambo and that's exactly what Mike found when he took the part to be recreated locally (as an original replacement part was either uber $$$ or unobtainable) since the old one was busted

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Aaron Vick Starnes 01/29/2016 at 13:15

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Fantastic. Mind sharing the name of the shop?