Secrets Vintage Speed & Sport - publication January 2023
" I test drove a 2002 PT Cruiser when they first came out because I was hooked on the design. Sadly, the horse power wasn't acceptable. When the '03 Turbo was introduced with 220 HP it was all I needed to put the money down. It was Inferno Red, black leather interior with chrome 18 inch wheels. It was my daily year-round driver until I retired in 2013.
Back then there were several venders making all kinds of parts for the D-I-Y enthusiast. Within weeks of taking delivery. I started to "customize" my PT with several bolt-on aftermarket parts: front and rear ends, grill, 18 and 20 inch wheels, spoilers and then ghost flames were added to finish it off. At that time, there was also a glossy magazine for fans of the PT. Every issue had at least one custom car built by a professional. In the back of my mind was..."someday."
We located to Etowah in 2014 from Erie, PA. notorious for its winter snows and 'salted' roadways. It was six months before I was able to bring the PT to its new home. About that time, a neighbor asked for a ride to the Beal & Co. shop so he could pick up his repaired RV. While there I asked Bill if he would check out my Cruiser as I wanted a few more years of driving the PT. The first thing he did was reach under the door and showed me a handful of rust that was once part of the rocker panel.
Replacing the rusted rockers was first on the list that became what you see today in my custom Cruiser. I was so impressed with the welding and all, that I discussed the possibilities of flaring the fenders. I always wanted wider tires on the back end. Bill and his team made several mock-ups for me to consider, including a new front end to compliment the visual flow. Upon final approval, metal work progressed into the work of art it is today.
While it took longer to complete, I am most happy with the results. Bill often retorted to my impatience with, "Do you want it done quickly or do you want it done correctly?"
Apparently the public also recognizes that it was done correctly. A frequent comment is, "Just beautiful.” And from other car enthusiast who have or are building cars of their own, they comment, "You nailed it! Did you build it?" | proudly tell them that I picked the best in the area...Beal & Co. "
"We found Bill and his team at the lowest point of our restoration project.The story starts in 1986 when my wife's father purchased a 1963 corvette needing some work.He and I worked on the car for several months until it was ready for paint. Neither one of us had a proper garage to park the car after paint and I "Jokingly" suggested that we park it in his bedroom and that's what we did.
Fast forward to 2017 Kim's father had passed and the car was still where we had parked it in 1987.
That's where the fun begins, I took the car to a local shop in S. Florida.The car stayed there for 3 years and with minimal progress and a disproportional amount of money spent.We pulled the car out as it seemed to be a losing proposition and delivered it to another shop where it stayed for a year and although the car was deemed finished at that time the car was delivered to NC in undrivable condition.
Needless to say I was not in a hurry to take it somewhere else.That's when my wife found an article in a car magazine that included an interview with Bill.He sounded like exactly who we needed, and we sent the car to Bill's shop.Bill confirmed everything we thought was wrong with the car and offered some options on how to resolve the issues.The car is now finished and a pleasure to drive, Bill went above and beyond to change our outcome and make our car safe to drive.Bill possesses what is lacking in repair and restoration, The skill to deliver what he promises and the honesty to tell you when he cannot.This car is very important to us and our memories and thanks to Bill and team it will continue to be for many years to come."
- Mike and Kim
"Hi Bill, When I left with the car last week, I had a weird feeling in my gut. I don't know if it was that I rushed out of your place cause I thought I was holding up your employees. If I just hadn't thanked you enough. I don't know, but it's taken me a week to find the time to tell you this. I am thrilled to death with the car. It's everything I wanted, and the paint colors are exactly what I wanted. As I unloaded everything, I got more and more excited with the job you did. I just had to email you this because as I said, I felt I didn't really let you know how I felt that day. I watch "Chasing Cars, Fantom Works, Restoration Garage," and this was " MY " show all wrapped up in one.
So, thank you again for the job you and your crew did, I am so happy with the car."
-Doug
"I ended up using a different service to alleviate the mold problem in my car, but I was so impressed with Bill’s service, friendliness and dedication to help meeting my needs that I wanted to leave him a review anyway. He definitely earned my trust and respect for his expertise and willingness to dive deep into the issues I was facing and how to solve them. Call him!"
-Samantha J.
"Had a heavy duty bumper installed and am very satisfied. Honest shop doing quality work."
-James C.
"They did such a great job fixing both rear- and front-end damage to my vehicle that I hardly know it happened. They also recommended a good tow service. Thanks, Bill"
-Macharold I.
"They repaired some front end damage on my car and I had them do a full body paint job in conjunction with the repairs. They did a fantastic job! Even the mechanics who do scheduled maintenance on the car remarked on how good the work was and asked who did it. I highly recommend them."
-Clay M.
"Bill Beal is the best at what he does! Highly recommended whether you need to repair a damaged vehicle or have them do an amazing custom job for you!"
-Jason K.
"does excellent work very friendly"
-Alice H.
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Location: 5678 Willow Road
Hendersonville, North Carolina 28739
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