Spring is in the Air
Spring is in the air, and we are almost at the end of February 2023, which means we’re nearly a 1/4 of the way through the year already! Between supply chain issues and roller coaster weather, we’re ready for Spring to make her arrival with warmer temps and longer days. Warmer temps means getting your hot rod ready to get out of the garage and out on the open road. As for here at the shop, we’re making headway on several projects at once. 1976 AMC Gremlin We’re still having to do some repairs to the passenger side door, but the upholsterer finished the seat and door panel upholstery…
1982 VW Westfalia Van Restoration
We have a 1982 VW Westfalia Van restoration in the shop. It was brought to us needing some love and attention for the body and paint. When we started getting into some of the prep work, we noticed that there was some rust going under the rhino texture coating that runs along the bottom kick panels that go around the van’s perimeter. The front hood area looks to be in good condition, so for now that is staying intact. The owner also wanted to see about replacing the pop-up cabin roof, so that is on our list of project to-dos.
1972 Plymouth Scamp Restoration
This 1972 Plymouth Scamp restoration project was finished in 2022. When it was brought to us, it needed some bodywork done, a new vinyl top cover, and a completely new paint job. Phase Two of this project will begin this year with an engine swap to a 360 from the 6 cylinder that is in it now.
1957 Ford Thunderbird Restoration
The 1957 Ford Thunderbird restoration came to us as a project that had been started but never completed. The engine was mostly assembled and the paint had been finished, but the interior pieces had never been cleaned or fixed. It had no seats, door panels, or interior trim pieces. We finished the engine and made sure it ran well. To begin on the interior, all of the old pieces were removed. The windows and windshield, chrome trim, panels, and dash were removed. The interior metal was thoroughly cleaned, the rust spots were treated, and was then painted black. The carpet, seats, door panels, and all new glass pieces were installed.…
1970 VW Karmann Ghia Restoration
The 1970 VW Karmann Ghia restoration came to us wanting some new paint, touch-up on the bodywork, new windows seals, and some new chrome around the headlight bezels. This little blue beauty isn’t just for car shows, the owner loves to take it out when the weather is right. These cars aren’t very common here in The Dalles. With her curvaceous, European bodylines giving her a very distinctive profile, the cheery blue paint makes this car POP!
Happy New Year and All That Jazz
Happy New Year and all that jazz! 2023 has started off wet and dreary with a hefty side of brr, but we’re hanging in there and enjoying when the sun peeks out. Projects keep coming in and out of the shops, and with our newly repaired shop doors, we’re good to go! They have a saying that your day/month/year is what you make of it, and we’re determined to make 2023 our year for fun, growth, and community. We’ve got a few community events in the works for car enthusiasts and trailer clients alike, so be sure to check out our community events calendar where we’ll post our events and…
Rounding Out 2022
We’re rounding out 2022! We are on the home stretch; 2022 came in like a lion and is leaving like an angry bear. We’ve experienced parts shortages, delays, and hiccups one after another. Yet, through it all, Columbia Auto Repair and Sales has continued to push through and get things done, and we’re looking forward to working on some new projects that have come into the shop. We hope you all have a happy and safe new year!
End of Year Updates
We have some end of year updates! We are now entering the slower time of the year, and that means that it is COLD. Projects are taking a bit longer due to the ongoing supply chain issues across the various vendors that we use. We’re still getting customers contacting us about doing partial and full restorations, and trailer sales are still ongoing, even if a bit slower than during the summer. Mt. Hood is looking especially white and glorious with his coat of snow, shining in the sun. Everyone is on the road heading hither and yon for all sorts of winter holiday fun. Be safe when traveling, and be…
1966 Chevrolet Impala Restoration
This classic 1966 Chevrolet Impala restoration is going to be another frame-off restoration project. We will be doing everything from the frame to the body, interior to the engine and transmission. We currently have the doors, hood, and axles off the car and we’re waiting to get the frame and body panels sandblasted to get prepped for bodywork. The engine and transmission are also out and we’re going to be rebuilding the engine this Spring/Summer. The owner got this car as a barn/field find, and we can’t wait to bring it back to life.
1950 Willys Jeep Truck Restoration
1950 Willys Jeep Truck Restoration When we got this classic 1950 Willys Jeep truck in, he was a basic white, and needed some love. From good guy white to bad boy black, follow our progress on this frame-off restoration.
