Farm Boy Garage

If you've been considering buying a project car, a quick and hasty purchase without proper research is not advisable. Choosing the right muscle car, vintage automobile or classic pickup truck is an important part of your decision making, but there are other factors to think about, too. Here are 4 tips for picking the right project car . Make Sure the Car You Choose will Retain Value Finding old cars for sale that need restoration won't be a problem. Finding old cars that hold their value or will significantly increase value after restoration is a whole different story. Some vehicles will never hold value worth your money put in no matter how carefully they're restored. Take time to do extensive research to determine which models are more valuable and don't impulsively settle on a particular model just because you're fond of it. A car with appreciation potential might cost more to buy, but it's important to remember that the cost of the car is only a smal...

When we restore a vehicle for a client, we're restoring more than just the vehicle. We're restoring the glory and all the fond memories that come along with that car. And you better believe that every car has its own story to be told. One of our recent restoration jobs isn't any different. We've been working on the restoration of a beautiful 1967 Chevelle that has a lot of history and an owner who is proud to share! Check out Doyle's story: A Treasure Found Doyle Zorn bought his '67 Chevelle shortly after returning home from Vietnam. He'd heard an ad on the radio from a local car dealer that “all cars must go,” so naturally, he went to see what they had. When Doyle saw this beautiful Chevelle, he offered the salesman $1995.00 cash. The salesman laughed and said 'ok, but it had to be cash only.' However, when Doyle pulled out $2000.00 and asked for his change, the salesman said he was only joking, that the car was worth more and walked away. L...

When it comes to the care and restoration of your classic truck or muscle car , you don't want to trust just anyone to handle your pride and joy. We as classic car collectors know just how much your ride means to you. That's why we do what we do. Farm Boy Garage went from a young boy’s dream to a grown man’s reality when Bryan Kratzer broke ground in 2015 to designing and building a one of a kind classic muscle car restoration garage. Not sure if Farm Boy Garage is the right restoration shop for you? Check out what some of our clients have to say about us! Customer Testimonials "Bryan and the staff at Farm Boy Garage will honor their word, do great work, bend over backwards to ensure they exceed expectations." - Doyle Z. "Wonderful shop with great accommodations. Owner and employees truly care about the customers. April the manager went above and beyond any questions we had. Joe was extremely knowledgeable. When you come through the door you know you ...

When you pick Farm Boy Garage to  restore your muscle car , you become a part of our family. Because we will be working so closely together, it's only right you get to know the crew that will be taking care of all your  muscle car restoration  needs. This month you'll get the pleasure of finding out a little about Farm Boy Garage's fabricator/ paint specialist, Joe Thomason! Joe Thomason Fabricator/Paint Specialist Joe Thomason AKA Smokin Joe is a Des Moines, IA native. Smokin Joe has run the gauntlet when it comes to his work history. He spent seventeen years working in Information Technology and the remainder as an electrician, painter, fabricator, and working on engines. Smokin Joe’s affection for muscle cars began at a young age, but it was in 2000 when he purchased a 1993 Mustang Convertible and restored her to a luxurious, fast and loud running machine that he realized just how much passion/satisfaction he has for the restored muscle car. Smokin...

If you've got a classic truck or muscle car sitting in your garage that's collecting dust, you may have considered getting it restored back to its original glory. But when you go online to do some research it can be difficult to find reliable helpful information to learn more about the process. Auto body restoration for classic cars is a very specialized job, and there isn’t a whole lot of information out there to help you make wise decisions about your own. So, to answer some of the most common questions people ask about vehicle restorations , we’ve put together a list of FAQs to get you started in the right direction: Can you tell what condition my vehicle is in just by looking at it? Unfortunately, no. There is really no way of knowing what issues may lurk until you begin to dismantle it. Factors like climate, storage conditions and how the vehicle was treated mostly determine the condition of the vehicle. There are just too many internal parts to know the true condit...

Imagine your classic muscle car with a luxurious one-of-a-kind leather interior that matches the exterior in class and style. Maybe you’ve found the classic car of your dreams, but it really needs an interior overhaul to go with a complete exterior restoration. Whatever your dream, when it comes to custom interior restoration , Farm Boy Garage can deliver it - adding luxury, comfort and style to your vehicle at an affordable price. Save Time and Money All too often, when a classic car collector decides to do a complete overhaul on their vehicle, they've got to find a shop to do the exterior work and an upholsterer to do the interior design. Relying on two separate people do handle these jobs can not only be extremely costly, but you can also bet that there will be issues that arise causing your vehicle to sit longer in the shop than you want. For example, when you hire two separate people to do these tasks, issues such as properly installing carpeting over bulging wire harness...

When it comes to tool selection, Snap-On is the best choice for any job - big or small. Anyone who's worked on cars over the years knows that you can rely on their tools to get the job done without worrying about replacing them nearly as often as you would a cheaper, less reliable brand. From toolboxes to wrenches to scan tools, these quality made tools are worth every penny spent. That's why we at Farm Boy Garage trust Snap-On tools to get the job done. Let's take a look back at how Snap-On came to be one of the top producers in the tool industry. "Five do the Work of Fifty" In 1920, the dedication of two determined engineers revolutionized repair and made work easier for professional mechanics leading to the start-up of the Snap-On Wrench company. Joseph Johnson and William Seidemann saw huge success from the inception of their crude demo set. Production was ramped up with the opening of a 2,500 square foot manufacturing facility in Milwaukee, WI, and the...

As car people, we'd be remiss to not give credit to one of the most influential classic muscle cars ever designed: The 1st Generation Ford Mustang . According to Ford, the Mustang was the “working man’s Thunderbird.” With the first models carrying an affordable starting price tag of around $2,300, the combination of the automobile’s unique style with affordability and performance resulted in the Mustang taking lead in the auto industry from the moment it was created. The quickest pony in the stable even made its way to the big screen within its first year of distribution in the James Bond movie “Goldfinger.” Shortly after the 1968 Mustang 390 GT was famously featured in the famous Steve McQueen movie “Bullitt.” Since then, Mustangs have appeared in hundreds of movies, and in millions of homes! Let's take a look at the history and evolution of the 1st generation Mustang .  The First Pony Car The Ford Mustang made its official debut at the World’s Fair in Flushing Me...

Owning a classic car is like owning a little slice of history. Like any antique, it’s important to take extra care to preserve its beauty and functionality, especially after having it restored! At Farm Boy Garage , we know the importance of maintaining your classic ride properly and want to share some tips with you to help you keep your ride looking its best after having it fully restored by yours truly. Take a look: Keep it Clean Washing your car regularly keeps salt, grime and other impurities from permanently damaging your classic's exterior. Don’t forget about the undercarriage as well. Salt and road grime are really good at finding their way into every nook and cranny. Be sure to clean the underside of your car really well to help all the exposed parts clean and corrosion free. Give it a Good Wax Wax is the best way to make the paint look its best. You should give your classic a really good waxing at least once every six months. While you're at it, you should a...

As car people, we know there's just something about the idea of rebuilding your muscle car on your own that provides a sense of pride and accomplishment. We get that. We also get that not everyone is properly equipped or restoration savvy enough to accomplish such a big task on their own. There's no shame in that. You want your classic muscle car to look and run its best. To achieve greatness, sometimes it's just best to leave these tasks to the professionals. Check out these 5 reasons why you SHOULDN'T attempt a vehicle restoration project on your own, and instead hire a vehicle restoration professional. 1. Your Planned Budget May Go Out the Door Before you decide to move forward with a restoration project, the first thing you should do is plan out a budget. Car restoration isn't cheap, so having a budget in mind is important. The problem with attempting a restoration project on your own can throw a HUGE and expensive kink in your budget, especially if yo...

If you've been considering buying an older car to restore , it's important to know that a quick and hasty purchase without proper research is not advisable. Choosing the right muscle car, vintage automobile or classic pickup truck is an important part of your decision making, but there are other factors to think about, too. Here are some things you should consider before putting your pen to your checkbook to make that purchase. Have a Goal in Mind Before buying your next classic car, it's really important to think about what your goals are and what you plan to do with it once you get it. What do you want from this automobile when the project is finished. Do you plan to make it your play car or will you be reselling it? Restoring a car for investment purposes will play a big role in deciding your purchase. How often do you plan to drive it and will you be proudly showing it off at car shows? By asking yourself these questions, you'll more easily be able to determin...

If you've ever asked someone who isn't a huge classic car enthusiast what their favorite classic car is, chances are they've answered the '69 Camaro. Reason? It's one of the most memorable muscle cars around! Featured in movies like Charlie's Angels and 2 Fast 2 Furious, the popularity of the '69 Camaro has even made its way to the big screen. But what makes this performance pony our pick of the month for a collector worthy classic car ? Let's take a look. A New Look The 1969 Chevy Camaro marked the last of the first generations of Camaros and is arguably the most popular. It featured entirely new, more aggressive looking sheet metal and a revised grille. Transitioning to a flatter, wider looking stance, going away was the original coke bottle shape. A redesigned dash and more comfortable seats made it more livable, too. But it was the staggering array of available performance equipment that marks 1969 as the greatest model year for Camaros. More...

When you pick Farm Boy Garage to restore your muscle car , you become a part of our family. Because we will be working so closely together, it's only right you get to know the crew that will be taking care of all your muscle car restoration needs. This month you'll get the pleasure of finding out a little about Farm Boy Garage's owner, Bryan Kratzer! Meet Bryan Kratzer - Owner/Operator Bryan Kratzer is a small town farm boy from Seymour, Iowa. He believes life is all about having great friends/family, staying positive, working hard and having a good time all the while making dreams come true. At an early age, Bryan developed a passion for nice cars that not only look good but go fast. Believing things can always be better, Bryan would do little things to improve the performance and appearance of all his vehicles. Bryan’s passion for muscle cars led to his dream of owning his very own shop. All of Bryan’s hard work paid off when in 2015 he purchased 5 acres ri...

The guys at Fa rm Boy Garage have vast experience with restoring and repairing all makes and models of muscle cars and classic trucks. No project is too big or small – if you're in need of a full restoration for your classic ride, the skilled staff at Farm Boy Garage will get the job done right! Check out some of the services we offer:  Farm Boy Garage Services Custom Upholstery When the seats of a vehicle are beyond replacement or when a customer wants a new interior, we can either repair or replace the entire upholstery of the vehicle. If you wish to preserve the vehicle's original upholstery, we can preserve and improve that upholstery, making it look new again. Tear Down When a client brings their vehicle in for a full restoration that requires tear down, we disassemble and catalog every piece on vehicle to ensure that the vehicle is put back in its original condition and that all panels, trim, molding placements, etc fit properly. The body is pulled off th...