First Gear: Turnaround in Sight for Hobby
In the past, I have written in this space about how few industries had seen such growth over the previous seven or so years as had the custom and collector car hobby, and that we have had the pleasure of being along for the ride. Even though I couldn’t find any figures to back it up, I would estimate, based on the advertising inquiries we’ve received, that between the full service custom/restoration shops and the support suppliers popping up all over Western Canada, the growth figure would be between fifty and seventy-five percent since the turn of the century.
Most of them during this time, like any business, have had their share of growing pains, but for the most part there were very few failures along the way. So when an economic downturn, the size of which hadn’t been seen since the Great Depression, came about in 2009, many thought the floodgates of business failures were about to open. But it hasn’t been the case. Not to say things didn’t slow down to a near-stop at year-end, but most weathered the storm and are ready for a brighter 2010.
Over the past year, there have been a few closures of smaller shops, but the bigger players are still practicing their craft. One exception is Killer Customs in Pitt Meadows, B.C. Blake Foster and Paul Dyck made the decision to dissolve Killer at the end of the year and go their separate ways. That’s not to say they left the industry, though. Foster wanted to concentrate on his successful company, Speed Tech Performance, which supplies Made-in-Canada, full sub-frame and suspension systems for Camaros and Chevelles, while Dyck, who has continued to run Racer’s Decals through the Killer years, now flies under the banner of D.Y.C.K. Design and continues to provide custom graphics and decals for the automotive industry.
So even with all the uncertainty, the industry pushes on. Maybe with a few more dents and alterations, but unlike the majority of industries, the men and women who provide and supply the parts and services are almost all hobbyists themselves. They are the key to the growth of the industry, as it is almost never the case of them seeking to fill their pockets; it’s more about promoting and advancing the hobby.
So if you’ve been planning something new for your ride and have been holding off, show your support for them and give your favourite shop a call...they’ll be happy to hear from you!
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