Joe Smith Early V8 & Hot Rod: 2012

New Shop Update

We have been working hard to get things up and running at the new shop. I have been neglecting the blog and all sorts of other online media. So here's the scoop...

When we moved the business to VA in 2009 we moved to a good area of town and a nice building for rent. The location was right, the space was right and the landlord was pretty easy going. If you have ever looked into commercial real estate you know how tough it can be to find a place with everything you want at a price you can stomach. We got lucky and we would have liked to have stayed, but we wanted to own the roof over our heads and the landlord wasn't interested in selling. So right a way we knew that the clock was ticking and the deadline was Fall of 2012. We wanted to own. It was and is what we think is best for the long term stability of the business while sustaining growth in this community.
As the business grew at our old location it became obvious that we would need more storage for used parts, more dedicated shop space and more room for our internet sales. All of this activity under one roof was beginning to make for tight quarters and cluttered work space. We bought a shipping container which helped with some of the storage, but the container was full almost as soon as it was dropped on the lot.
So we started searching from one end of Richmond to another for something that would fit our growing needs. I'll spare you the details, we'll just say that a soft economy doesn't always bring out the best in people.
In the end we found three conjoined properties. No single property could do everything that we needed, but all three could work together. We also have the ability to expand the business without moving it again. Another huge advantage is that our new shop is right a cross the street from our old shop and still within walking distance from Waffle House. What else could we do?

Fortunately the man who owned the properties was cut from an old cloth. We struck a deal and shock hands. And after much discussion with inspectors, zoning officials, lawyers, bankers, county officials and other nefarious characters a deal was struck, paper work signed and the hard work began. We have cleared trees, graded land, painted, sealed, stained, rewired, patched and replaced just about everything that we need to get the business running in the new location. Of course we are not done yet. The to do list is long and the chores go on well into the evening, but it's ours. We made the leap and we are already feeling the benefits of building something here. It's about more than selling parts for old cars. It's about serving a community's needs. It's about building a business, putting down roots and doing real, long term good for the customers that we serve. But I'll have to go into more detail about that at another time. I just wanted to give you a quick update on where we are now and a little bit about how we got here.We are in this for the long haul and look forward to serving the hot rod community for a long, long time.

The house was built in 1940. The block building was built in 1969. The barn out back is full of used parts from the 30's, 40's and 50's. The shipping container holds more parts waiting to be rebuilt and put into service once again.

The house is serving as our office for internet sales and consignment sales.

And the block building is housing our service shop, service parts and retail location.

Come by and see us when you get a chance...

Joe Smith Early V8 and Hot Rod

8405 Cleveland St

Richmond, VA

23228

804-264-1953

NOS pistons

For the other V2 flathead

1948 F1 getting there

We've had this truck in and out of the shop for a few years now. It belongs to a customer who has put in a bunch of work, had us do some work, let it set and then got it going a again. We are finishing the front suspension and driving out a few bugs. We have affectionately been calling her Tina, as in Patina Turner. (total rip off from Brandon on the Jockey Journal about a hundred years ago, but a great name none the less)

Bryan from Velocity brought by this neat Royal Enfiel, nicely done fellas.

old garage circle solutions

badges

We have moved.

Our new location is

8405 Cleveland St
Richmond,VA
23228

No price too high...

No price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.

— Friedrich Nietzsche

1950 Mercury Evolving

The 50 Merc as it has evolved.

Joe Smith Automotive 2012

Although it is well documented, I like to remind people from time to time that I am not Joe Smith. I am the owner of a business that bears his name. The Original Joe Smith is still alive and well doing business out of his garage in Atlanta. Joe is a one of a kind, a true entrepreneur, a man who has earned his place in the hot rod world through blood, sweat and tears. He has seen recessions, gas gouging, unemployment rise, politicians lie, wars waged and wages frozen. Just like anyone who has been in business for a long time he has had his fair share of scrapes and bruises. It comes with the territory. He has watched businesses come and go and remained true to himself and his customers while others grabbed for trends and a quick buck. He has forgot more than most of us will know about these old cars. And, if you can't tell, I have the utmost respect for the man. We are all standing on the shoulders of the giants like Joe that helped to built this industry. If you get a chance to talk to him, you should. He is a wealth of information and wisdom. He also advertises in V-8 Times magazine. Joe Smith Automotive, Inc 404-636-4025

"People do not decide to become extraordinary. they decide to accomplish extraordinary things"
-Edmund Hillary

Ft.Collins 2012

"Dr. Oatman, please pick up, pick up! It's Martin Blank! I, I'm standing where my, uh, living room was and it's not here because my house is gone and it's an Ultimart! You can never go home again, Oatman... but I guess you can shop there."

1946 Sedan project

Fun for all ages.

John's 1936 Sedan

1938 Coupe progress

1938 Coupe trip

By any other name...

rebuilt transmission ready to go

Pacific North West visit

The road to Portland Oregon

Yep, that pretty much sums it up.

neato Mercury Exhaust tip

Don Turner's 34

I heart this 1949 Mercury

I took this picture of the David DiRico built Mercury at Jalopyrama last year. The pictures don't do it justice. This car is a lesson in good taste and restraint.