6B
|
THEPRESS.NET
SPRING AUTO CARE
Hot Rods from page 1B This is the home of Red Barn Hot Rods, a custom car restoration business situated along the S-curve of the Byron Highway, just a short hop from Munkelt’s Brentwood home and a million miles from his former life. “I spent over 20 years in the retail business, and it was good, but this has always been in the back of my mind,” said Munkelt, 42. “And we finally just decided to take the plunge.” Open just a year and a half, Red Barn Hot Rods, “Because everyone knows the best cars are always found in the barn,” says Munkelt, referring to the oft-heard stories of classic cars discovered abandoned under bales of hay in country barns, Munkelt and business partner, wife Pam, have recently moved to the 7,500 square foot building in Byron from Brentwood. The larger digs give Munkelt a little more elbowroom to create, restore and breathe new life into the chassis of long-forgotten autos. Or, in some cases, build new ones from the ground up. “We do it all,” he said. “Restorations, rebuilds, concourse cars (such as talk-show host Jay Leno owns) and cars that will be driven
MEDA L LD AWARD
GO
2008
MARCH 27, 2009 everyday. I prefer to build cars that people drive. I like to bring the owner’s personality and vision to the car. That’s part of what makes this all so much fun.” And speaking of fun, Munkelt is currently working on a number of cars, including a 65’ Impala, a 55’ T-bird and a 69’ Camero. Years, makes and models are the language of hot rods, and while terms like Media Blasting, Roll Over and Frame Off may not be familiar to most, the enthusiasm Munkelt exudes is universal. “Everyone likes to be around hot rods, and I’m no exception,” said Munkelt. “I understand the attachment people have to their cars. To me, cars are like paintings; what makes one car great to me might not be the same for someone else, so our goal is to get inside the head of the customer and give them what they want.” Munkelt comes by his fervor honestly. With no formal training, Munkelt says he learned the trade from his father and stepfather. Drag racing Volkswagen Bugs at 14 “Yep, 14,” he says with a smile, Munkelt, who was see Hot Rods page 7B