Hey guys ! I'm 31 years old, raised and currently living in France. I've done my studies in a decent engineering school, then went on doing "consulting" for 10 years or so (which means basically no technical skills developed, aside project methodology...). Last year, I followed a 1000 hours course on classic car restoration. That + my own projects make me a decent mechanic, even though entirely restoring a classic car, especially when it comes to body work or trim, is an art that takes years to master.
I'm passionnate about cars in general, vintage cars especially, and english ones in particular. Today I find myself at a crossroads and in the back of my head, there's that idea : wouldn't the country of automobiles be a great fit for me ? I think I would be rather happy working as a mechanic on classic cars there.
I found great help from the US community on this forum, when it came to working on my car. So today, I'm wondering : is classic car restoration a dynamic market in the US ? have you heard similar stories ? Do you know people who have done the same thing ? How did they did they do it ? I understand it's quite hard to come work in the US, so any experience, tips, ideas, are welcome, to maybe turn that idea into a reality !
Have a good one !
Alexandre

 

What I know from at least a few people who own shops that work on classic cars is that they are suffering from a skilled labor shortage. They tell me that young people don't want to work on the older cars and the skilled tradesmen who've been working for them for decades are retiring (or in a couple of sad cases who I've known, passing away). I participate in one local all European car show each year that raises money toward scholarships for a local junior college auto tech program with at least part of the goal as exposing the students to classic cars. If you indeed want to work on older cars, I think you would have no trouble at all finding work. I don't know if the shortage is bad enough that a shop would sponsor you a green card like a big firm would for an engineer, but I suppose its possible. Generally those work visas are for highly trained, degreed people in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Restoration work is mostly done in small shops that are probably not sophisticated enough to know how to couch antique auto restoration in terms that would make it qualify for a visa. Maybe if you came over as a restorer of French cars, you could say it was for cultural exchange.

But if working on classic cars is what makes you happy, by all means just do it, no matter where. Don't be like me. I've loved cars all my life, but when I was in high school, I was brainwashed that the only way to make decent money was to go to college, get an advanced degree and work in an office. Back then, there was no internet, no satellite tv streaming classic car content. I was vaguely aware that there were rich people who took pre-war, coachbuilt cars to Pebble Beach Concours, but I had no idea how they got there. I thought restoring cars was just a hobby that some of the older men in the neighborhood did on weekends and that professional mechanics were just the guys working at Midas and Mr Goodwrench. I had no idea that those millionaires paid serious money for skilled restoration pros. So I did what the school guidance counselors told me for going on 33 years now and I can't say that I've really enjoyed any of it. At most, some of it has been interesting in the same manner as watching some of those TV documentaries on "How its made" but there's no passion. It's just a job.

I wish I could chuck it all and join you. I've restored a few classic cars for myself as a hobby and I could probably afford to retire already if I hadn't. However, I've done two for friends and relatives and I'll tell you that's the way to go is having somebody else write the checks. Take an engine apart and find the block is cracked, you just call the customer and say, "Hey, YOUR block is cracked. I'm gonna need another five grand!" (Better to be on the telling end of that.) I figured out rather late that it doesn't matter that I don't own the car when its done. I just enjoy doing it. But the longer you wait to change careers, the harder it will be. I keep thinking about how much fun it would be go to work every day and be around classic cars, but I have no formal training so I'd have to start at entry level wages, probably a fraction of what I'm making in the office. Money is kind of addictive you know. Hard to give that up. And I'm already suffering the onset of geriatric problems so I don't have many good working years left. Surely much easier at your age and career level.

 

I applaud your aggressive interest of Classic British car repair.
I am getting on in years (70ish) and wife and I never had children.
Disappointed that I never had an interested younger apprentice to pass on my knowledge, tools and shop.

Seems like the 'youngsters' want to sit and type as a the sole means for income.(office work)

I have always tried to work at REPUTABLE shops and if I found out the 'boss' was dishonest, I left to save MY reputation.

When I was 'on my own' (and WAS the boss) I tried to treat customers fairly.(only had to fire a few customers)

Hope you don't have to hit too many 'SPEED BUMPS' in your career!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope someone hires you and THEN eventually you start your OWN business!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!