I am pleased to announce that sYc supporting member, Rick Nelson [SS427], is in the process of moving his resto business to Springfield, Illinois. Most of you long-time members know that Rick has been doing part-time GM musclecar restorations out of his home in Minneapolis, MN. for the last 28 years. For the last 10 years, his emphasis has been focused on Chevelle restorations, and more specifically....the 1970 LS6 Chevelle. For many years, Rick's day-job in the building industry only allowed him the time to do restorations on a "hobby" basis. That all changed last November when Rick's "corporate" employ fell victim to this economic recession that has hit the building industry especially hard [don't ask me how I know].
At the present time, Rick is in the process of finding appropriate facility for his business, "Musclecar Restoration and Design", in Annie Hartweg's hometown of Springfield, Ill. Annie has signed-on to handle the administrative and supervisory end of the growing business when she's not in the new shop spinning a wrench. It appears to be a good match, since Annie's expertise includes a lifetime passion for these old cars and penchant toward shouting instructions to coworkers.
Rick is emphatic that his intent is to NOT compete with existing sYc member/sponsor resto shops, but rather work together in the spirit of furthering the hobby with high quality restoration alternatives. Plans are now underway to drastically increase the size of the shop as well as add some personnel. He will also continue using one of the best bodyman and painters in the industry, Tom Scholtz. His work comes at a high price but the quality meets and exceeds Rick’s demands.
The restoration business is a tough, tough business, but it seems the guys that do-it-right always have work. The business end of this hobby is soft right now due to the recessive tendency of the national economy, but I predict that Rick and Annie will do just fine. Their reputation and collective experience will make the difference.
Rick & Annie...from all of us here at the sYc, we wish you the best!
-SS