The Future of Auto Restoration

Thousands of Americans have restoration projects sitting in their garages, and hundreds of companies are working day and night to come up with products to help get these cars back on the road. Many of these companies were at the 2003 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas giving us a glimpse of new products for restoring classic American cars. The array of items on display tells us a lot about how the hobby has changed and where it's going.

Keeping It Real
Purists insist that a proper restoration means returning a car to its original condition. Although some parts for more recent cars can still be found in wrecking yards, primo spares for 1950s and 1960s models are now in short supply. The availability of perfect body panels is dwindling as accidents and rust take their toll, and the more rare (and desirable) performance engines and trim have long since been picked over or crushed. NOS (New Old Stock) parts left over from dealers' stocks are rare and expensive, and mechanical parts deteriorate over time, even when they are in their original boxes. So it's up to aftermarket companies to produce restoration parts to keep classic cars alive.


A mint Camaro Pace Car Edition convertible in the Classic Industries/OER booth attracted restorers like a magnet. Classic Industries distributes reproduction parts for Camaros, Firebirds, Novas, Impalas and GM pickups, including parts made by OER (Original Equipment Reproduction). The company's extensive inventory includes grilles, interior parts, fenders, and even jacks.

Detail Oriented
The size of the resto market is enormous, with dozens of companies selling similar parts for Mustangs, Tri-Five Chevys and British sports cars. The accent is on perfect fit and finish, with details such as the original parts numbers stamped on the back. This little extra may involve getting authorization from the original manufacturer, which will insist on top quality and accuracy. The value of such attention to detail is seen in the stratospheric auction prices demanded by original-condition musclecars like Hemi Chryslers, Shelby Mustangs and big-block Camaros.


As car manufacturers cease production of older mechanical parts, it's left to companies like Egge Machine Company to keep classics on the road. Egge makes engine and carburetor rebuild parts for older American cars including nailhead Buicks, flathead Fords, 409 Chevys and dozens of others.