I live in North Vancouver and my partner of many years, Maureen Wood, lives in Hope.
In 2005 we visited the family farm in Rickreall, Oregon. Aunt Ruby, some 90 years old, still managed the farm on the basis of leasing the land to other farmers. Way out in the “back forty” was a three-story, broken down, almost as old as Ruby, barn. Out of curiosity, I asked cousin Raymond to take me out to the barn.
We climbed through brambles and blackberries and to my amazement in the barn was storage for seven 1960s cars. Two Thunderbirds, two Cadillacs and three Mercury Station Wagons. Well, I bought the two Thunderbirds (1960 and 1964) – likely a dream of Maureen’s cousin to restore them all. In car collector parlance these were “barn finds.”
Upon my recent retirement, I was determined to restore the 1964 and chose to have all that work done in Hope – and there was much work to do.
The mechanical restoration was completed by Canyon Automotive – Jeremy, Brad and Cam. The body and interior restoration was done by Hope Auto Body – Kevin and his team.
Their work was exceptional and greeted with patient enthusiasm.
I believe that all my travels back and forth from North Vancouver were most worthwhile and expect to have them start sometime restoring the 1960 Bird.
There is quality work and quality people in Hope. Kudos to every one at Canyon Automotive and Hope Auto Body.
Ken Burnett,
North Vancouver
