Chris Dunning
A personal journey of curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy.
Growing up, I was always fascinated by all things mechanical. At a very young age I was able to see how things worked and often how to fix them. However, my journey into classic car restoration began when my father purchased my first car for $50. Yes, that’s right, fifty years ago you could buy a fixer upper for $50. You can still find a deal today if you look!
My journey began with that first car, a 1968 Fiat 850 Spyder, a two-seater convertible. I spent all my time in our garage working on that car. Fiat had a bad reputation and parts were hard to find and costly. I learned to be creative and find parts that would work, like using a Cadillac exhaust resonator as a muffler. But it was a special car because it was mine.
My first task was to educate myself. I went to the library and took out a book on restoring cars. It was a straightforward manual with guided instructions for basic body repairs. Mistakes were inevitable—broken bolts, mismatched parts, and moments of frustration were all part of the process. But with each setback, I learned and grew more confident in my abilities.
It wasn’t until much later in life that I found the incredible sense of community that comes with restoring classic cars. Local car shows, swap meets, and online enthusiasts became invaluable resources. Seasoned restorers offered advice, tools, and sometimes even hard-to-find parts. I discovered that restoring classic cars was as much about the people and shared stories as it was about the vehicles themselves.
That first restoration project was only the beginning. Since then, I’ve owned and restored hundreds of cars, each with its own unique challenges and stories. Restoring classic cars has become more than a hobby—it’s a journey that continues to inspire me, teaching valuable lessons in patience, creativity, and the satisfaction of reviving a piece of automotive history.
Looking back, my journey into classic car restoration began with a dream to own a special car but became another family of friends that share this passion. Each car is special and, like me, needs its second act. I restore cars the way I feel they should be restored; if someone likes what I’ve done, they can buy them. With the opening of our sales showroom in northern Rhode Island, I can give myself a Second Act and give back to the car community.
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+1 (508) 922-4048Second Act Classics
30 Charcuterie Dr, Burrillville, RI 02839, USA
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