Holton Secret Lab.....Where? In The Middle Of What......Why?

I suppose I should address the reason why we chose to be here. How many Street Rod Shops do you find in the middle of no where?  Where? Somewhere in Oregon?  Hmmmmm?

The first year of our business when we traveled to car shows with our big trailer and custom cars, we always had interest in what we do as "Wild Bill" does it well and it shows. Have you heard of "Deer In The Headlight Look"? That is what people and customers would give us when we said it was a small area in Oregon. I found I had to go all out with my ads presenting perfection with our image, pictures and text. We had to present "image" that set us a part at the shows, as often people would look at us like we were a redneck shop or a back yard shop. Nothing could be further from the truth.

 Let me explain why we are living here instead of a big city.

Wild Bill and I have lived here as a married couple since 1980 on the ranch. I have lived here all of my life which is much longer....no you do not need to know how long. Growing up in a house that my parents told me that my Grandfather built for his Norweigian Mother, my Great Grandmother, when he had a family of seven kids of his own in 1920.....truly spoke to me how important family heritage is. I grew up as did Bill with honor, heritage, a man's word means a man's word, respecting your elders and appreciating what you had.

When we inherited the ranch from my folks in 1998, we talked of moving our custom street rod business to a large town such as Bend, Oregon or Spokane, Washington or Boise, Idaho......we both came to the decision to stay right here. For me it was easy.....this was home but more important was that I knew without a doubt that my husband was an artist and a craftsman who was gifted and good. I knew if we got out and went to the "BIG" shows like Bosie, Spokane and Portland to show our work and what we do that the distance would not matter. If you can bring your car to a man who can catch your vision and create your dream, a man you can trust.....this "Secret Lab" is worth driving to. The "Lab" is a destination and a dream. Have you heard of the movie "Field of Dreams"? We are a "Shop of Dreams in a Field".....not just any field mind you but one of  "Century Old Family Heritage".

Build it and they will come....and they have. I will see you on down the trail....stay tuned.

For those of you who are following us, I have many chapters to write and we are just getting started. Flames,tech pictures, chops, louvers, employees, horses, heritage, dogs, cats, elk, moose, car shows, people, fabrications, custom cars, artistic paint, burn outs, silly days and funny times,"The Jag". Spread the word, the "Secret" is out!