Chasing Classic Cars II “The Viking”

 

Chasing Classic Cars II “The Viking”

This time a road trip brings me to The Metal Works in Dewart, PA. This is artist Victor Yordy’s place of business. Being aware of Victor’s amazing work via articles and photos, I was invited to see for myself. I was not to be disappointed!

Victor Yordy is an artist. Art made of sheet metal bent into cars. He fixes old pieces of art, i.e. classic cars and he at times creates new pieces of art. Today, he has invited me to take a look at his latest work. It is not a prototype and is not a concept car. It is a “One of a Kind”.

Victor is completing this piece of art on commission. When finished, it will find its way to the home of a California man who plans on driving its wheels off. The owner and Victor have named the car “The Viking”. It will be a 2011” The Viking”.

The Viking is half complete. All the metal is straight, the fittings are right. Victor reports that it has an F 150 Ford truck motor, 6 Weber Carburetors and a Mustang 5 speed transmission with a Ford rear. Its wheels are 54 Buick hubs and brakes and Buick wheels. It will produce 426 HP. That should produce a bit of dust up. It hasn’t been decided at this time what paint to use, if any. He and the owner have discussed just buffing it to a high sheen.  

2011 "The Viking

I asked Victor how he learned this craft. He said that he is self taught, that he began as a 14 year old and has been at it ever since. He loves his trade and would not change places with anyone.

Victor’s shop is full of memorabilia. It is a photo journey with pictures of him and celebrities such as Jay Leno hanging on all of the inches of the walls.

 Victor was proud to share that this picture of himself and Jay> It was taken because they had both entered cars into the Pebble Beach Car Show under the Best of Paint category and that Mr. Leno’s car placed second.  

I hated leaving Victor’s place. It was so stimulating and inspiring. However, it was time for me to return home and plan the next road trip.

If you find yourself in the Dewart PA area stop in and visit Victor’s shop. You too will not be disappointed. Tell him Larry sent you! 

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While Chasing Classic Cars

While Chasing Classic Cars I was directed to Bob Fry.

I  love to chase classic cars and I was told that if I happened to be in the Oil City, Pennsylvania Area, a must stop was Short Street Motor Cars located at 119 East First Street. It was good advice and  I am passing it on to my readers.

Mr. Fry is not only a purveyor of fine automobiles he is also someone who knows how to preserve pieces of history. 

Short Street

The Garage, an old Quaker State Gas Station, located in the center of Downtown Oil City, has been brought back to life. It is truly beautiful and worthy of a Historical Landmark. Inside is full of automobile memorabilia and Bob has made sure that it is a great place to hang out. Coffee is on, plenty of seating and it has atmosphere that says “sit and let’s talk cars’s.

Mr. Fry’s states “there are many days when that there will be several car nuts hanging around, chewing the fat, and drinking coffee”.  The day I was there was quiet but Mr. Fry was ready to talk cars.

When asked how he came to restore this building, He said “I had been in the car business for 40 years and always thought if that building every comes up for sale I would like to buy it and restore it. Wouldn’t you know when I retired ten days later the building came up for sale, so I bought it”

He took me on a tour. The garage’s 5 pristine bays, had either a car being worked on or a beautiful classic car. He showed 1 MG Midget a Triumph, a yellow 64 Corvette, a 1948 Ford Business Coupe and 69Nova. All of these cars belong in a museum. Then again they were probably right where they belong, in the beautifully restored Quaker State Gas Station.

Bob says he has many other cars in different location and that I can see those and meet all of his Classic Cars friends this summer at his annual downtown Classic Car Party . The party is done in conjunction with Oil City’s Chamber of Commerce Street Party. Bob’s also say there is plenty of good food and drink. See my event listing for date and times. All About Detail.

This was truly an enjoyable visit.  A classic car stop I plan on revisiting. If you happen to be up that way, or just need to go for a ride why not stop in a say hello to Bob. Tell him Larry sent you. 

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