Interview with Kevin McShane, owner
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: I’ve been spinning wrenches since Godzilla was a lizard. I come from a family of artisans and I just love to build. For me, each one of these cars becomes a major project. I can remember every single restoration I’ve ever done, and I’ve been at it for about 35 years. We just opened the shop last year, but that’s because of a lot of delays. About 20 years ago, we were two days out from opening a garage and my wife became extremely sick. She was in and out of hospitals for 13 years. To keep up with medical bills and prescriptions, insurance took everything and shut me down. She’s better today; she’s with me at the shop every day. I got tired of working for other people, so after she got better I decided to open up my own shop again, 20 years later. And I would do it all over again.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: I basically work on the older cars. It’s hard to find people who can work on virtually any old, classic or custom cars, and who are able to do things like modify engine compartments and do wiring. I used to do all the body and paint myself, but I can’t anymore, so I have a sister company that does all the body and paint. We build engines and transmissions, and I’m incredibly meticulous about the work that we do.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: Just being able to work on these old cars. Everybody’s got to work for a living, and I get to go see and work on people’s cars every day. Every day there’s something different. It’s a lifelong passion more than it’s a job to me.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: Trying to keep the numbers right with the customers. It’s very expensive to do these kinds of cars — nobody can really afford what it costs to restore a car these days — but people love these old cars, so I try to keep the numbers to where I can pay my bills and pay my guys, but still have it be correct for the customer so they’re not overspending.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: If you were to see me in person, I’m not what you’d expect. I have long hair, sunglasses and a beard. I’m 57 years old, I have a raspy Joe Cocker voice and I just don’t look like the kind if guy that you would be doing high-dollar business with. I strive for integrity and honesty, but I just have my own character.
profile
Business: Old School Garage
Address: 10750 Irma Drive, Suite 16, Northglenn
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Founded: 2014
Contact: 720-207-8883
Employees: 2
