Boys, Toys, Classic Cars Classic Friendships
Local Shelburne resident, Mike Esch finally competed restoration on his 1930 Ford Model A Roadster Pick-Up after twelve years and he couldn’t be more pleased.
This Ford was fully restored. “I found it outside of town, just sitting in someone’s barn. It’s fully restored, and modified with a modern V8 drive train. The wheels are standard except they have 1957 hubcaps,” said Esch, “The body is 100% original.”
As with all Classic Car enthusiasts, there is always a remarkable story and Esch’s story is certainly remarkable. The restoration was an endeavour Esch did not complete alone having help from his long time friend, Jim Revie.
“We’ve known each other from the time we were young kids playing with Dinky cars and models. We’ve probably known each other since we were eight or ten years old, ” Esch revealed, “This took a lot of time and we worked on it a lot.”
This over 40 year old friendship and comradery turned a hobby into a piece of art once again proving the bond between a man and his car is a force to be reckoned with. For that reason Esch can never imagine parting with it.
“My son has already laid claim to it,” Esch chuckles, “He always jokes that it’ll be his one day when the old man kicks it!”
Esch is just happy enough driving the amazing restored vehicle admitting, “I really enjoy the building of it, driving it and it keeps me out of trouble.”
And of course the time spent in his friend’s shop is a valued part of the restoration as every classic car lover will tell you, the shop is where you hear the best jokes!
Written by Alex Sher
