Words: John Gunnell

Mike Freund’s Classics Plus Ltd (www.classicsplusltd.com) has turned out over 130 car projects since the shop opened in 1988. Most of the project cars that Mike and his team have completed involved Chevys, with 1955-1957 Tri-Five models dominating the list.

Freund’s first major customer project was a ‘56 Chevy Bel Air hardtop that he did as a total, ground-up restoration. Classics Plus Ltd. moved to its present 40 x 100-ft. building on Lakeshore Drive in North Fond du Lac in 1990. It’s no fancy “Hot Rod TV” television set, but the little shop cranks out one great project car after the other. It is always loaded with cool cars and the cars are always changing. No project sits around very long.

“Basically, we are a one-stop shopping facility,” Freund says. “We can do just about everything right here in-house.”

When a car comes into the shop for restoration or modification, it is completely disassembled. All body panels are stripped of paint and materials. If any rust is found, the customer is contacted. If the client agrees, the rust is removed and a self-etching epoxy primer is applied to the body. Major bodywork and any modifications are done at this time.

Next, the vehicle is sprayed with a catalyst-type filler primer and sanded. After all imperfections are gone, a final inspection is performed. Then, color coats are sprayed. After drying for a few days, the vehicle is wet sanded and buffed. At last, the vehicle is completely re-assembled and fully prepped for customer pick up.

Mike’s shop is well-organized. There are several shop areas as well as storage space for engines, parts and future project cars. Classics Plus Ltd is decorated with models, rock & roll memorabilia, old jukeboxes, gas pumps and 130+ photos of finished projects.

Here are 10 tips for project cars that we came up with after talking to Mike Freund and seeing how he works a project from start to finish.

1. Start with the best car you can afford to buy.
2. To restore one car, you need space for two or even three cars to store parts.
3. Do at least one thing on a project every day; eventually it will be the last thing.
4. Try to figure out in advance what tools, equipment and supplies you’ll need.
5. Get all the how-to books, repair guides and factory shop manuals you can find.
6. The less you take the car apart, the easier it will be to re-assemble.
7. Have a plan and a budget; plan it so you don’t run out of money.
8. Two sets of hands are better than one, so get all the volunteer help you can.
9. Plan on doing everything two or three times; if you don’t have to, you’ll be ahead.
10. Patience is the most important tool you’ll bring to a car-building project.