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Concerning the Restoration of a Classic Car
Concerning the Restoration of a Classic Car
BY PAMILLA TOLEN
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When Henry Ford rolled out the Model-T car in 1908, America was smitten. In 1908 the cost was $850, but by 1917 Henry Ford had cut production time and manufacturing costs significantly, which enabled the car to sell for only $260. The Model-T not only was the first car that was low enough in cost for an average person to purchase, it also allowed people to travel farther and faster than ever before. The fascination quickly spread across the United States and by 1925 over 2 million cars were being produced annually. As cars got older, restoration enthusiasts emerged with a vengeance and passion. The hobby grew as the desire to protect and refurbish old classics became more and more popular.
In 1935 the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) was formed with 14 founding male members and one female. National meets and tours developed and membership increased from 850 in 1948 to over 50,000 members by the AACA’s 50th year
An original INDY-style race car fully restored by Dennis Carpenter.
Photo: Kimberly Brouillette
Dennis Carpenter stands beside the 1940 Ford that was the catalyst for his restoration business.
Image Courtesy: Dennis Carpenter Restorations
celebration in 1985.Trade shows evolved, States developed chapters and rules were established as to what was considered an antique, classic or vintage car. Rules were also established regarding the difference between restoration and preservation. According the AACA restoration is defined as removing, replacing, or repairing the parts of a vehicle, while preservation means keeping the original components. Then, in 1975, the AACA established the rule which entered any automobile 25 years or older into the antique classification system.
As the years passed big manufacturers such and Ford, Chrysler and General Motors were constantly seeking to sell new cars. So after 10 years they discontinued their parts production for older cars.
A young Daniel Carpenter begins to follow in his father's restoration footsteps.
Image: Courtesy: Dennis Carpenter Restorations
However, car enthusiasts were dauntless in their desire to refurbish
those ageless classics, but the task of finding genuine parts became harder and harder as the years passed by. Nevertheless, the fascination continued to grow and businesses developed that restored these cars, along with the individuals who just tinkered. As more people became involved, it enhanced the problem of finding those old parts and, as of 1968, the restoration and repair industry was significantly inhibited by the lack of available parts.
It was at this time a Concord, NC man named Dennis Carpenter, a purchaser for a local textile plant, was searching for interior plastic knobs for a 1940 Ford Deluxe convertible that he was restoring. After countless hours of searching for knobs, he quickly came to realize finding plastic parts for older cars was becoming almost impossible. Carpenter finally decided to experiment on his own, reproducing the needed parts. He began by spending countless hours in his home basement, experimenting with a variety of plastic formulas. Once he had developed what he thought was a reasonable substitute, he began using plastic injection molds to fabricate his own dash doorknobs.
At the many automotive swap meets he attended during the next few years, he would take extra parts that he had made and was able to show off his handy work. Other restoration experts began to take notice because plastic Ford parts for older cars were very hard to find at best, or not reproduced at all. He began getting requests for other car parts. That gave Carpenter the incentive to move ahead developing his own parts product lines and, as the requests grew, so did his business. By 1970, he was taking extra dash knobs he had made for 1932-48 Fords to the Hersey AACA car show and selling out.
It wasn’t long before becoming evident that the family home basement was no longer sufficient to contain and produce the parts that were being ordered. So, in
Dennis (left) and Daniel Carpenter (right) (present day)
Image: Courtesy: Dennis Carpenter Restorations
A look inside the car that started it all. The plastic knobs Carpenter created himself because he couldn’t find replacement parts can be see on the console of this Ford.
Photo: Kimberly Brouillette
1971, Carpenter took out a second mortgage on his home, bought a larger injection molding machine and moved his part time business into a rented railroad depot which was vacant at the time.
He still continued restoring his 1940 Ford which involved using weather stripping he purchased. But he soon discovered that it cracked and became hard after only 6 months. This made him determined to produce a quality weather stripping product that he could sell. He expanded his inventory to include both molded and extruded rubber products as well. His reputation continued to grow in the industry, as a manufacturer and supplier of high quality Ford weather stripping products. Sales were taking off so, in 1973, Carpenter finally left his fulltime job and bought a 5,000 sq. ft. building on Highway 29 (now Concord Parkway) and the Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts company opened its doors as a fulltime business.
The company’s success was phenomenal. By 1974, Dennis was able to purchase the 25 acres of land that lay behind his business, and in 1976 he built a 10,000 sq. ft. building right beside the first one. At that time he thought he would never need more space. Little did he realize his business would expand to need a production facility that covered over 300,000 sq. ft., additional warehouses, and a 25,000 sq. ft. show room.
As years passed, the company added metal stamping and die-cut machines for making emblems for cars. In 1993, Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts company became the first official Ford licensee for products made with the Ford name or logo.
In 2005, Daniel Carpenter, Dennis’ son, purchased the company from his father. However, that didn’t mean Dennis was retiring. It just enabled him to focus on the development of new products and to work with various toolmakers. With Daniel at the helm, their new web-based store opened in 2013. Today, in addition to their own website, Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts can be found online at popular sites such as Amazon.com and EBay. As of 2019, the company manufactures and fabricates more than 11,745 classic Ford parts for cars, tractors and Cushman Motor Scooters, and employs and trains over 160 people.
During his years as owner and operator of the company, Dennis Carpenter was influential in developing the Original Ford Tooling program, and in 2000 it became the first registered manufacturer to belong to this group. The reason this program is so exclusive is that until then, Ford did not allow just anyone to begin reproducing parts for cars and tractors that Ford had discontinued. So, parts that were reproduced were not necessarily the quality of the original Ford product. This was one reason it was difficult for Dennis to find the parts he needed to restore his 1940 car. Now, partly due to Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts, car restorers are able to buy quality parts, backed by a genuine Ford heritage. And yes, you can still buy those 1940 plastic dash knobs that started Dennis Carpenter on his journey.
Where is the restoration industry today? As of 2019 “restoration” has trended to a more modern approach. Some car enthusiasts and specialists now talk about how the market has changed. In addition to those who still prefer to reproduce genuine parts in order to keep the classic car as original as possible, there is a movement in the industry to allow some modifications. It is called “restomod”. This trend uses some more modern parts on these classic cars to enable easier handling and allow for more power.
Whatever your preferred make or model of car, there are a variety companies that manufacture parts for your car. For example, for Chevy vehicles, CarsInc, out of Michigan and California, are a popular favorite. Lebanon, Ohio is the home of one of the largest licensed General Motors restoration parts manufacturer in the world, Restoration Parts Unlimited Inc. For Chrysler products, 1AAuto.com advertises parts for Chrysler cars from 1926. It is needless to say that since the 1970’s, automobile restoration has exploded and, as long as America embraces it’s love for classic cars, there is no end in sight for this continually growing industry.
For more information about the specifications for your antique, classic or vintage vehicle, there is a website, www.classiccardatabase.com, which has an extensive database for American automobiles manufactured between 1910 and 1975.
