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Oklahoma-based builder of Mustang GT500 replicas is back in business after an ex-employee led the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to raid Classic Recreations’ shop. A number of vehicles and other items were previously reported as being seized by investigators.
In a statement from the company owner, Jason Engel, the State Bureau of Investigation never found any stolen equipment, which they were originally looking for. According to Engel, state officials did find that the shop did not follow state guidelines for vehicle restoration. Despite a series of legal arguments, the state remained firm that “shop owners in Oklahoma cannot replace the factory sheet metal with aftermarket parts during the restoration process without re-titling the car.”
It is likely that this particular discussion is far from over.
“We spare no expense when building a client their perfect dream car. Now the government wants to tell me how to run my business and which panels I can or cannot replace,” said Engel. “Laws were created to protect people from car thieves, now the government is reinterpreting those laws to go after restoration shops, and it makes keeping classic cars on the road very difficult.”
Engel expressed his gratitude to his clients for their patience and understanding during the shutdown. According to Engel, new steps will be taken to ensure the current laws are met and that such a misunderstanding does not happen again.
“I want our story to serve as a warning to every shop owner and hobbyist out there: we need to take action to preserve our hobby and limit government intervention in the classic car world by defining what we can and can’t do,” Engel said. “What happened to me could happen to anyone. I run an honest business, employing over 20 people. We build beautiful cars for collectors. We are working with state legislators to pass a bill that clearly defines what a restoration shop is allowed to do so we’re all on the same page.”
