I’m Craig Way; I have been playing in the old car world all of my life.
I grew up in Boulder, where my dad (Ken Way) had an automotive repair shop. He primarily worked on older vehicles. My brothers and I were always helping when we weren’t in school. Dad had a 27 Ford Model T. It was unrestored and we had lots of fun riding around in the mountains.
We then moved to Lodgepole, Nebraska, where Dad opened an automotive restoration shop “Lodgepole Restoration”. Dad always said that the old car world is a disease to which there is no cure. I understand that now. My appreciation for old cars has grown over the years.
When I left home, I moved to New Jersey to learn to be a tool maker. After that I moved home to Nebraska to help dad with his restoration business. I worked with dad for about 7 years. We restored numerous cars for people all over the country. I built my own Model T from parts behind the barn. It was modeled after Dad’s Model T that we grew up with, “unrestored and rusty.” I cherish the time that I spent working there. I learned so much. Unfortunately, we were too much alike and it didn’t work out.
I then moved to Fort Collins and went back to tool and die making. When that industry collapsed in 2001, I started a handyman business that rapidly grew into a home building business “Rocky Mountain Endeavors.”
I couldn’t shake the old car fever. It was official. I now have the disease. I then restored, with the help of my dad, a 1953 Chevy pickup, and then moved on to a 1947 Diamond T truck.
When Dad passed away in 2019, I purchased the old family sedan, a 1954 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe sedan. A few years later, I purchased Mom’s car, A 1954 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe convertible. Dad restored this car, especially for my mom. It is an
example of dad’s finest work.
I am now retired and enjoying spending time on the things that I truly enjoy. I’ve restored my 1947 Willys, acquired my gunsmithing license and doing custom wood carving. I enjoy making signs and gun stocks, and anything else that pops into my mind. I’m also taking more time to work on old cars for friends and family. I now have time to do the truly important things like joining VMCCA.
