MANY ENTHUSIASTS SOCIAL DISTANCING IN SHOPS, GARAGES
Parts suppliers report a boom in business as people have more time to work on autos
Richard Nelson has done counter sales at the Old Car Centre in Langley, B.C., for 42 years. In all that time he has never seen more business than at this time of social distancing and staying at home.
“The phones have been ringing off the hook for the past two months, ever since the pandemic hit,” he says between fielding calls from enthusiasts looking for restoration parts.
“A 90-year-old man was just in here buying tune-up parts for his Model A Ford. Everybody is working on their cars.”
When health officials called for people to shelter in place to avoid spreading the novel coronavirus, many people headed for their shops.
“People have the time to get at projects that have been gathering dust,” Nelson says. “They are buying everything from restoration parts to hot-rod items. It’s crazy busy.
“Business has tripled since the pandemic began.”
Old Car Centre owner Jan Christensen says his online parts business has exploded as well, mainly with customers from the U.S. buying restoration parts.
“Everybody is flat out, even my suppliers,” he says.
Aldergrove sign company owner Giulio Bentelo says the slowdown in his business gives him more time to work on his custom 1968 Corvette roadster. He and his wife, Maureen, have separated the body from the frame and are preparing it for paint.
Meanwhile, he is completing the chassis, with upgraded suspension components, a 600-horsepower GM crate motor and a six-speed transmission.
Noted Fraser Valley classic-car owner and restorer Dave Sutton is sheltering in his home shop, putting the finishing touches on his massive 1934 Packard convertible sedan.
He is also completing a frameup restoration on a rare 1948 Dodge Custom convertible and is now at the stage of reinstalling the trim.
“My wife and I seldom go out now, and it means more time to work in the shop,” he says.
Many enthusiasts have readjusted their lives so they no longer face long commutes.
Richard Nelson says people are telling him they have more time than they’ve ever had to get work done on their car projects.
Cloverdale resident and president of the Greater Vancouver Motorsport Pioneers Association, a hall of fame for those who have been major contributors to the hobby, is using the extra time to work on his hobby cars with his grandson.
“All the car shows are cancelled, so it’s a good time to upgrade my 1932 Ford pickup to create more interior room and add some more polished parts to the engine,” he says.
He and grandson Brian Rickard are also building a V8-powered Chevrolet S10 pickup truck.
“Why not get things done now? We have to stay home anyway. It means more time to spend together and more that gets done.”