Classic Car Restoration Done Once. Done Right.
We are not the cheapest classic restoration shop in Minnesota. We are the one you only need to call once. Full body, paint, and structural restoration on classic vehicles, built to last another lifetime.
We Take Restorations Personally.
A classic restoration is not a repair. It is a multi-month commitment to bringing a vehicle back to a level of craftsmanship that has not existed since it left the factory. When you trust your classic to Bodywerks, we approach it the same way we would approach our own vehicle. We do it right, even when no one is watching. Especially when no one is watching.
Full Restoration Services for Classic Vehicles
Bodywerks handles the full scope of classic car restoration in our Elko New Market shop. From rust repair and body work to full color-matched custom paint, every step is done in-house by the same team that has been doing this work since 1966. Our painters and craftsmen, including team members with 40-plus years of restoration experience, hand-paint every vehicle that comes through the shop.
We work on American muscle, classic trucks, vintage European, and any other classic vehicle that deserves to be brought back to life. Whether your classic needs full frame-off restoration or targeted body and paint work to bring it back to show condition, we have the experience and the patience to do it correctly.
Classic restoration services we provide
- Full frame-off restoration
- Rust repair and structural restoration
- Body and panel fabrication
- Custom paint and original color matching
- Restoration of trim, chrome, and detail work
- Full vehicle disassembly and reassembly
- Mechanical coordination with trusted partners
- Pre-show detail and finishing
- Custom and concours-level paint work
- Restoration of foreign and imported classics
The Bodywerks Restoration Process
Classic restoration is project-based, not turnaround-based. Every restoration follows a clear, documented process from initial assessment to final delivery.
Step 1: Initial Assessment and Consultation
We sit down with you and the vehicle. We assess its current condition, discuss your goals for the project, and build an honest scope of work. We do not start a restoration we cannot complete to the level you expect.
Step 2: Documented Estimate and Timeline
You receive a detailed estimate broken down by phase. Classic restoration estimates are tailored to the specific vehicle and the scope of the work. Payment is structured in thirds across the timeline of the project.
Step 3: Disassembly and Inspection
The vehicle is disassembled to the level required by the scope. Hidden damage, rust, and structural concerns are documented before any work begins. We communicate findings before proceeding.
Step 4: Body, Structural, and Paint Work
Body work, rust repair, panel fabrication, and structural restoration are completed first. Then surface preparation, primer, base coat, clear coat, and our signature factory mirror finish clear coat sanding. Every step is done in-house using AkzoNobel™ paint and 3M finishing materials.
Step 5: Reassembly, Detail, and Delivery
The vehicle is reassembled, detailed, and inspected before delivery. You see the vehicle at multiple checkpoints throughout the project, and the final reveal is the moment we work the whole project toward.
Why Enthusiasts Trust Us With Their Classics
We Do It Right, Not Fast.
Restoration is not a high-volume business. We take the time the project requires. Other shops try to push restorations through. We do not.
Done In-House From Start to Finish.
Body, paint, fabrication, and finish work all happen under one roof in Elko New Market. We do not subcontract restoration work to other shops.
AkzoNobel™ Paint and Factory Mirror Finish.
The same paint system used by major automakers, applied with the same care. Every clear coat hand-sanded for a true factory finish.
60 Years of Hands-On Craftsmanship.
Founded 1966. Our team includes painters and craftsmen with decades of restoration experience. This is not a side service we picked up last year. It is part of the shop's DNA.
Real Communication Through Every Phase.
You hear from us at every checkpoint. No phone trees. No "we will call you when it is done." You stay involved in your project from start to finish.
We Are Not the Cheapest. We Are the Last Call.
We will not lowball an estimate to win the job. We tell you what the project will cost to do correctly. Most of our restoration customers came to us after another shop got the project wrong.
Classics That Came Back to Life
Every vehicle below came into the shop in need of restoration. Every one left ready to drive, show, and own with pride.
How Classic Restoration Pricing Works
Classic restoration is project-based. Unlike collision repair, there is no insurance company setting the price. The cost is determined by the specific vehicle, the scope of work, and the level of finish you want. We tell you what the project will cost to do right, in writing, before any work begins.
Payment is structured in thirds. One third at project start to cover initial materials and labor. One third at the midpoint of the project. One third at completion before delivery. This structure keeps the project predictable for both of us, and it lets you spread the investment across the project timeline.
We will not give you a lowball estimate to win the job and then add costs as the work progresses. If the scope changes during disassembly because hidden damage is uncovered, we stop work, document it, and discuss the change with you before continuing. No surprises.
Serving the South Twin Cities and St. Croix Valley
We serve drivers across 8 communities in the south Twin Cities metro region. Free pickup and delivery within 25 minutes of our Elko New Market shop.
Note: Classic restoration customers regularly travel from beyond the 8 named service areas. Bodywerks accepts classic restoration projects from across Minnesota and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions About Classic Restoration
Have a Classic That Deserves The Right Shop?
Call to schedule a restoration consultation. Bring photos, bring the vehicle, bring the history. We will tell you honestly what the project will take and what it will cost to do right.