Builder's Profile: Reb Auto
COMPANY: REB AUTO
OWNERS: RICK BARTOK
ADDRESS: SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA
TEL: (604) 543-3768
WEBSITE: www.rebauto.com
WHAT THEY DO: RESTORE AND REBUILD VEHICLES THROUGH TRADITIONAL METALWORK TECHNIQUES
THE COMPANY LINE:
Background: REB Auto was founded in 1970 by Rick Bartok. After learning his trade in automotive metal work, Rick opened his shop, first in North Vancouver, specializing in custom hot rod restoration and rebuilding. Now in Surrey, Bartok lends his unique metal shaping and fabricating skills to save classic vehicles and hot rods from the ravages of time.
PP: So, it’s obvious by the surroundings of your shop here that you are a metalwork man. How did you get your start?
RB: In the mid ‘60s, I moved to Prince George for four years to work with two older fellows, who taught me to lead and do a lot of stuff the old way, work you just don’t see anymore. They would give me work, then laugh at it when I was done, but I learned quite a bit from them. I then went to work for a time down in Vancouver with Dave Williams’ body shop. They only did metal work, leading and lacquer which I learned by working with their old school body men. They liked me there, so continued to teach the skills I needed, and that’s how I learned my craft. But it’s something I continue to learn throughout the years, and I’m still learning new things today.
PP: So you specialize in the metal and body work. Is that all you do here?
RB: Well, I don’t do mechanical, upholstery or glass any more. I feel it’s better to stay with what you know, specializing in your own field. Others may be jacks-of-all-trades, they can do everything, but nothing perfect. I also try to educate my customers; I walk them through what I do, the different stages that I take and the difference between restoration and rebuilding. It’s important that they realize what I do, how I do it, and that I won’t deviate from my job. And they also need to be just as committed, to follow through with the project.
PP: Seeing all the special tools you use to manipulate the metal by hand, and watching you work the metal into shape, would you say your skills are a dying art?
RB: Well, it is a changing world. You can go out and buy body parts, but they never seem to fit, they’re not the same quality and the metal isn’t the same. Buying these off-shore parts, you work harder to do cheaper work. I prefer to rework the old metal. Or if someone wants something custom, I don’t glue parts of other cars onto my projects. I build them from scratch, I shape the metal to the car to give it the look my customer is looking for. I love changing the design of a car with metal.
PP: So do you work with the metal to the point you don’t need to use filler?
RB: If someone can afford it, thats what I prefer. With the needs of the customer changing and the way the economy swings, you go so far with metal, then the customer will dictate when to do the rest with filler. Going all the way with metal gives me the greatest sense of achievement though.
PP: What project would you say you’re most proud of?
RB: Designing and building the cab of a 1940 Ford Pick-up. I think it’s a pretty rare piece by any standard. The achievement in building this vehicle has been immense. It’s something I’ve been working on for two years now. The cab has been totally rebuilt being stretched, widened and chopped. I’ve completely reworked the front end, adding little accents that have gone unnoticed. I had some guys come in wanting to be sure the truck was going to be kept original, when in fact I had completely customized every square inch, and they left not knowing any better.
PP: To have classic enthusiasts fooled into thinking the truck is original despite such major changes, that’s got to be a huge compliment to your work.
RB: I didn’t quite know how to take it at the time, but I consider that one of my best compliments. They thought it was an original vehicle, when it was totally customized. If you do it tastefully, its hard to detect to the untrained eye, so to fool a trained eye, that means I’ve done something right.
PP: If you could build any car for yourself, what would you build?
RB: I would like to create an old hot rod, a Model T or A. I would totally customize it with six- or eight-foot fenders to my own shape, and a custom roadster body. I think that would be a great challenge. Then I think I would power it with a Chevy V8 or maybe even an old Chrysler Hemi.
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