Builders Profile: B&N Hotrod & Fabrication Ltd.
Pacific Blasting Willys
Company Profile
B&N Hotrod & Fabrication Ltd.
Bill & Neil Lemon
2591 Kingsway Ave
Port Coquitlam, B.C.
bnhotrod@yahoo.ca
Hotrod builders and hotrod parts retailer
The Company Line
Background: Founded in 1999 as a hotrod retail store, B&N Hotrod and Fabrication soon became a full-fledged hotrod building force. Based in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, the company was founded by Bill and Neil Lemon, who have been steadily moving the family run business forward. B&N employs specialists in every field required for building a quality hotrod while continuing to grow the retail and service side of the business.
PP: Well, it’s been a year since we talked, what’s new with B&N Hotrod?
Neil: We have no
w become a Certified Inspection Facility. So we now do provincial inspections on street rods and muscle cars however, we do try to stay away from the regular streetcars. We are a full service shop and a retail store, so if a problem is found during the inspection process, we can deal with everything right here. This helps the customer get all their needs completed in a single visit.
PP: How about the cars leaving the shop, any changes there?
Neil: We are actually starting to get into the corporate themed builds as of late. We are finding that companies that are looking for new marketing ideas are starting to go this direction with the popularity of this business in America. We recently did business with Pacific Blasting. They had come across an old Willys Truck that used to be in the company. B&N was given the task of restoring the Willys back to its original condition. The truck is back in operation with Pacific and serves as a history piece.
PP: How’s business in these economic times?Neil: Well we have set up our business in such a way that helps us cope. Not only do we build hotrods and muscle cars, we also have an established retail store and service department. Builds are always keeping us busy, and in terms of servicing, we do a lot of routine maintenance. We have customers who are going on holidays with their cars that bring them in for servicing, we then perform a free 25-point check with their service. They will get a copy of that checklist that will give them piece of mind when out on the road.
PP: What project in the last year are you most proud of?
Neil: That would have to be the 1940 Ford Truck we built for Reg Ogden. We built the truck with a 185 hp flat-head V8 in it. My wife Michelle at Inside Edge Upholstery did the interior. But most importantly we made that truck handle. We do our best to make all our cars look great but handling is something we also take very seriously. We knew that it wouldn’t get out of the corners fast, but we made sure it was capable of getting into them fast with big sway-bars front and rear.
PP: One thing you seem to do very well is to take terribly rotted out vehicles and bring them back to life?
Neil: There are a couple projects that came through here that probably should have been thrown out, but anything can be saved. However, we do have a good reputation in this area. Our builds generally take 750 to 2000 hours.
PP: Finally, what aspect of the business are you most proud of?
Neil: Well, that would have to be our commitment to build high quality hotrods & muscle cars, cars to be driven – and driven hard! We are also committed to giving our customers an experience every time they step into our facility. Finding them the right part, shop tours, or just simply having a good laugh. Taking care of our customer and their car is always #1 on our list.
1955 2-door Handyman's Wagon
Recent Project
Car Owner: Todd and Liz McInnis
What is it: 1955 2-door Handyman’s Wagon
How long it took: 3 years
Why: Todd owned the car since he was 17, and had been sitting since he was 21. Now that he is in his 40’s, he either had to get rid of it, or build it. The choice was clear.
What’s your favourite part: Todd’s first love is fishing, so the car has been built with a fishing rod painted down the side in pin stripping, as well as several fish accents incorporated into the interior design.
What do you do with it: It was insured for the road last April, and currently has 5,400 miles on the odo in that time. The car has been on numerous road trips throughout B.C. last summer.
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