How an Old Chevrolet Farm Truck Inspired a Passion for Painting
Todd Wilhelm shares his story about the history and restoration of his family’s 1951 Chevy pick-up truck.
There is a special spot in Todd Wilhelm’s heart for his family’s 1951 Chevy pickup truck. His father purchased the truck from a farmer in California just prior to Todd’s birth. The truck had always been around and a part of many family memories, including regular trips to the ice cream shop. He fondly remembers riding in the bed of his dad’s pickup, “back in the early ‘80s, you could do that and not get in any trouble,” he joked.
At the age of eight, Todd began working with his dad to spruce it up and keep the old, farm truck in working order. The thing he loved the most was admiring the faded, old yellow paint job and dreaming what color him and his dad would paint it when they restore it.
With this history, passion and expertise, it wasn’t long before he began working in automotive body shops.
Pursuing a painting career
Todd opened his own body shop, T&C Paint Worx, in southeast Michigan, working exclusively with BASF Diamont paint series.
After a few great years, the recession began to slow down business and Todd welcomed his first daughter. Looking for stability, Todd considered options for a career change. His expertise and passion for refinish paint brands landed him a job as a sales representative at BASF.
The last masterpiece he built in his shop was a 1956 Chevy Bel Air with a new custom paint job, which he proudly displayed at the 2013 Woodward Dream Cruise.
The final restoration
As a busy dad of two daughters now, Todd doesn’t get as much time in the shop as he used to. But he does have one final project, his father’s Chevy pickup truck that inspired his love of cars so long ago.
“We are giving it a new lease on life,” he said.
He has already restored the frame of the truck and the cab and a few other parts are in process. Some new additions have also been made including a new Corvette motor and an updated chassis and suspension.
“Once it’s finished, it will be better than a brand new pickup truck from 1951,” said Todd proudly.
Todd is returning the Chevy truck to its former glory and giving it the paint job him and his father had dreamt about years ago. Todd’s goal is to finish in time for his father to enjoy a reminiscing ride in the old farm truck.
“Todd Wilhelm, a former body shop owner, has had the opportunity to work on many different classic cars in his time. But when it comes to his own masterpieces, it has to be Chevy. Todd finished his 1956 Chevy Bel Air just in time for the 2013 Woodward Dream Cruise. He has now turned all of his free time in the shop to restoring his family’s 1951 Chevy Farm Truck. Hopefully, it will be ready for a cruise of its own someday soon.”
In honor of this year’s Dream Cruise and Chevy fans everywhere we chose to share this on FastLane.
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