Classic Car Services
A History

History of Classic Car Services

Where It All Began

The first involvement in auto restoration started in the early 1970’s working for Jim Hull in Williamsport Pennsylvania on a 1930 Packard Dietrich. Later Chris would go to work for Art Brummer in Muncy Pennsylvania restoring cars and manufacturing parts for primarily Packard’s. In the late 1970’s thru both Hull and Brummer Chris would meet Bob Bahre a New England collector of great prewar cars with Packard’s a top interest. In 1985 Chris moved to Oxford Maine and established a restoration facility to restore and maintain Bahre’s collection. It was the Bahre Collection that greatly influenced Chris to learn about much more than just Packard’s. Bob was adding very special European classics to his collection such as Supercharged Mercedes Benz, J-12 Hispano Suiza, 2900 Alfa Romeo, Rolls Royce as well as some great American Model J Duesenberg’s. The first restoration for the Bahre Collection was a 1937 Duesenberg Rollston Convertible Coupe going to Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance and receiving 1st in class. This set a prescience for over 10 Pebble Beach 1st in class victories just for Bob and his family. The shop worked on the Bahre Collection doing complete restorations as well as collection management. By 1995, the Bahre Collection was brought to a standard that satisfied Bob and at this point Classic Car Services started bringing in outside customers.

Over the last twenty five years Classic Car Services has had some great customers and has competed at many of the great events such as Amelia Island Concourse d’Elegance, Meadowbrook, Pebble Beach Concourse d’Elegance, and Auburn Cord Duesenberg Reunion.  Having won a best of show at all.

The support of the employees has made all possible with Jack Merrill machinist and mechanic of over 30 years, Jerry Foresta sheet metal and paint with over 25 years, Ryan Brown a McPherson College restoration specialist of over 12 years and Heidi Charlton keeping all going efficiently.

The success is from a small group of long standing and well-oiled staff that all have the same interest in constantly learning their craft and producing an authentic restoration that looks and drives like the day the original customer purchased the car when new.