Featured builds

Every one of these started as somebody else’s lost cause. Here is how a few of them looked going in, and how they rolled out.

Before and after: a vintage panel delivery truck in faded yellow paint with rust, next to the same style of truck restored in deep red — Before / After

The panel truck that almost wasn’t

It arrived sun-faded and scabbed with rust, wearing mismatched black fenders. After the rot was cut out and the body straightened, it left in a deep red with fresh trim and polished wheels.

Rust repairMetal workFull repaint

Two-door sedan body in red-oxide primer during the rebuild — During

Finished red two-door sedan hot rod parked on grass, side view — Finished

Chrome-dressed engine in the red hot rod’s engine bay — Engine

Front view of the red hot rod showing the grille shell and headlights — Front

Two-door hot rod: red-oxide to candy red

The body was set on its frame and the drivetrain installed while it was still in red-oxide primer, so every gap and fit could be sorted before color. The finished car wears glossy red with a chrome-dressed engine up front.

Body-off buildEngine swapPaint & polish

Classic sedan body stripped to bare metal inside the shop — Bare metal

Classic sedan in gray primer with surface rust and red steel wheels — In primer

Classic sedan, down to bare steel

Decades of old patches and filler only show up once the paint is gone. Taking this sedan to bare steel exposed every pinhole and past repair, so the metal could be fixed for real instead of hidden under fresh paint.

Media stripPanel repairEpoxy primer

How a restoration comes together

No two projects are the same, but most rebuilds follow these stages.

Teardown & assessmentThe car comes apart, parts are bagged and labeled, and the true condition of the frame and body is written down.
Rust & metal repairRot is cut out and replaced with new steel in the floors, rockers, quarters and fenders.
Bodywork & primerPanels are straightened, gaps are set, and the body is blocked until the lines are right.
Paint & finishColor goes on, then it is cut and buffed for a deep, show-ready shine.
Mechanical rebuildEngine, brakes, suspension and wiring are rebuilt or upgraded so it drives as good as it looks.
Reassembly & show prepChrome, glass and trim go back on, then a final detail before its first show.

Our restoration approach: every panel gets real structural repair. No quick cover-ups that hide rust only to have it bubble back through a year later.

Classic car gallery

Hot rods, pickups and classic cars of every kind.

Cream coupe hot rod with copper flame graphics, parked on snow — Cream coupe with hand-laid flames

Bright blue coupe hot rod on a driveway — Coupe in electric blue

Turquoise classic pickup with chrome grille and bumper on a gravel lot — Classic pickup in turquoise

Restored maroon classic sedan with whitewall tires — Classic sedan in deep maroon

Maroon classic convertible with the top down — Classic convertible

Two-tone light blue and white classic hardtop, rear three-quarter view — Two-tone classic hardtop

Red classic fastback with a black hood — Classic fastback

Gray classic sedan, front view, before paint — Classic sedan waiting its turn

Two-tone red and silver classic pickup on a gravel driveway — Classic pickup, red over silver

Black classic car parked in a driveway — Classic in black

Rear view of the cream coupe hot rod showing the flame graphics — Coupe from the back

Red classic pickup, silver muscle car and maroon sedan lined up in front of a barn — Lineup outside the barn

Flyer for the 26th Annual Rebel Run car event in Ohio showing a red muscle car doing a burnout

On the car-show circuit

A restoration is not done until it has been parked on the grass and judged. Richard builds every project to car-show standard.

Spotted one of these cars at a local show? Stop by the booth and say hello.

Have a project car sitting in the barn?

Inherited a car, picked up a barn find, or have a half-finished build that stalled? Call Richard to talk it over. He will tell you honestly what it needs before any work starts.

Call (419) 250-7424 Get directions

Talk about your restoration

Bedliners Plus · Richard Johnston
12414 Old State Line Rd
Swanton, OH 43558

Shop hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
Appointments preferred, walk-ins OK.

Phone: (419) 250-7424

For bedliners, body work and everyday repairs, see the services on our home page.

Describe the car and what you hope it becomes. We answer by email.