Ron Coleman has built his successful collision shop into a full-service restoration business.
Do you own a vintage GTO or ’Cuda or Mustang or more recent classic-to-be? Do you want to restore it to OEM specs or perhaps transform it into a restomod with today’s finest suspension components and powertrain? Coleman and his team of six hear you. This is what they do every day, and they can do it for you today.
He opened Motorway Restorations, 4040 East Washington Street in Phoenix, December 12, 2019. “We offer mechanical, body and paint services for full restorations, repairs and maintenance on classic and vintage vehicles,” he explains. “We have multiple cars in various stages of restoration in the shop at this time and are currently scheduling projects for later this year.”
A native of Michigan, Coleman grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, influenced by the Big-3 auto makers and the classic cars manufactured in the area factories. “Auto restoration has been a hobby and passion of mine since the early 1980s, restoring or repairing both my own vehicles and those of friends,” he explains. “I was surrounded by family and friends who were ‘gearheads,’ and learned auto maintenance at an early age.”
In his earlier adult life, he served in the Marine Corps and then worked for 31 years in the electronics manufacturing industry, producing assemblies for Fortune 500 companies, including automotive OEMs and suppliers.
“My appreciation for the engineering that goes into automobiles, love of classic vehicles of all kinds, and my passion for the restoration process are what led me to starting my restoration business,” he explains.
In addition to restoring a number of cars with friends, he completed a frame-off restoration of his 1967 GTO Convertible 15 years ago. “Since opening the shop in 2019, we have done restoration work on a 1967 Camaro RS; 1969 Firebird Pro-Touring; 1969 GTO Judge Ram Air III/4-speed; 1964 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible; 1967 Buick Skylark Convertible; and a 1962 Chevrolet C-10.”
Ron and his crew are also working on a 1970 Firebird that will become a Trans-Am Race Series replica and have also repaired and/or painted a 1966 VW Beetle Convertible; 1960 VW 23-window Bus; 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS-396; and a family-legacy 1957 Ford Thunderbird.
“Ron Coleman did a terrific job repairing the Thunderbird my dad gifted to my mom in 1957,” says its owner, Valley resident Lynda Godkin. “His estimate was right on the money, and he finished the car on time. And, his customer service after the fact has been outstanding.”
And Bob Swaback, whose Phoenix Corvette garage has been featured in Highline Autos, met Ron through his mechanic and painter, both friends. “They know how I take care of my shop and cars and wanted me to see Ron’s shop and how he conducted his business,” he says.
Swaback visited the shop, just a few miles west of his garage. “Ron has put together a team of mechanics that can do any type of work, from small upgrades to a full nut-and-bolt restoration,” he reports. “He’s the kind of guy you want to know, he’s very relational, and I’m sure most of his customers consider as a friend.”
And Jerry Burns, also a Valley resident, has had Motorway Restorations complete three projects: two from accidents (his and his daughter’s) and a 1965 GTO restomod. “They all came out beautifully, like new, and everything was right on point,” he says. “Ron’s attention to detail is amazing, and his communication skills are impeccable. If you’re not dealing with him, you should be!”
For more information on Motorway Restorations, call 602-368-6100 or 480-221-5023 and see www.motorwayrestorations.com. To set up a Zoom meeting or an appointment to visit the shop, email Coleman at [email protected].