Builder's Profile: Egberts Street Rods
COMPANY: Egbert’s Street Rods and Collectors Cars
MANAGER: Gary Egbert
ADDRESS: 11631-154 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5M 3N7
TEL: (780) 496-9200
WEBSITE: www.egbertsstreetrods.com
WHAT THEY DO: Build award-winning custom rods and collector cars to a high standard.\
Background: Gary Egbert has been building Hot Rods since the age of 14, in the back of his father’s garage. He then went to work for a couple of dealerships before opening Egbert’s in 1992. Since then, Egbert’s has grown to become one of Canada’s most recognized builders of custom hot rods, show cars and collector cars with a high attention to detail. From full concours builds to damaged wheel repair, Egbert products exude quality and the next step in unique design.
PP: What would you say Egbert’s specializes in?
GE: We like to do very high-end vehicles, something beyond just a little bit, but something special. Not all of our vehicles are like this obviously, but we like the challenge of building something special. I think we go a step beyond most other people, in terms of making major changes to an automobile.
PP: What part of your job gives you the most satisfaction?
GE: Well personally now, I don’t do the work in the garage, but I enjoy it when a project comes in that is very unique and is a one-of-a-kind-type job. When we send out a car that looks like no other, I get a great sense of satisfaction from that.
PP: What type of uniqueness are you talking about? Can you give us some examples?
GE: Oh there are so many things. With older cars like the ‘32s and Model A’s, the norm is to widen the fenders, put suicide doors on and chop the top. We like to go a couple of steps beyond this and do things like adding independent front and rear suspension, upgraded motors to a high level, and automatic transmissions. But mostly it comes down to styling. Our guys do some real unique little details that make a car stand out and give it an aggressive stance.
PP: Would you call car building and customization an art form?
GE: Absolutely, it really is an art form. I call my guys in the shop artists, and for good reason. They create something out of what is sometimes nothing, and put together absolutely beautiful looking cars and trucks. We’ve had cars that have been to Detroit and won stuff down there as well as being a Riddler contender. So I would say that we are on the world scene.
PP: Do trucks make up a large part of your business?
GE: I would say that about one out of every three vehicles that leaves this shop is a truck. And that’s the way it’s been
for quite a while. Trucks have always been popular here.
PP: If there was one project that you are particularly proud of, what car would that be?
GE: Probably the nicest car we ever built here was the ‘32 Chev coupe that made it into the Riddler 8 in Detroit. Another car I’m particularly proud of was the ‘48 Hudson we built, another very unique car. That car took the Most Decorated Show Car in North America award four years ago. It took more car show points then any other car in the Northwest and overall.
PP: What would be your dream project to build in the shop?
GE: Well I just happen to be building it right now. I have been working on it for a couple of years, but it’s a 1931 Ford Victoria that’s been radically changed. It’s been all tapered, widened and lengthened. It’s got different sheet metal on it with a ‘33 Ford-style front-end. The vast majority of it is all handmade so it will be something special when it’s done. I’m quite excited as it’s a one-of-a-kind, and you’ll never see anything like it anywhere in North America.
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