Driven By Passion For Classic Cars and Trucks

At Wild Creek Auto Restoration, we’re driven by passion and guided by one simple belief:

We Value Your Classic Build as Much as we Value Your Safety on the Road.

Every restoration we take on blends craftsmanship, authenticity, and mechanical precision, because a truly great classic car should look incredible, drive beautifully, and last for generations.

Where it Began

From early childhood, Jerry wanted to be the “car guy”. He owes much of his skill and expertise to the neighborhood “car guy” he grew up with. Jerry had a passion for learning to work on cars, rebuilding engines, and making them smoother, stronger, faster.

At just 16, he painted his first car and learned an early lesson many young car lovers do: “Well… that wasn’t the right way to do that.” Fortunately, that kind of trial and error never stops a true car enthusiast; it really only fuels the fire.

Jerry didn’t have the money for the cool classic car a young car guy like himself needed. So he fixed one up and sold it. Then did it again and again. Each project sharpened his skills, deepened his passion, and strengthened his belief that classic car restoration is an art form.

From Passion to Profession

While it remained his passion, Jerry didn’t open his car shop right away. Instead, he spent 27 years running an award-winning painting and wallpapering business, mastering color theory, surface preparation, and fine-detail finishing — skills that would later become the backbone of his restoration work. A shoulder injury made it clear it was time to give that up, but those classic project cars had never really left. His last house painting job for a good friend led to one car project.. then another.. and then another. Jerry wasn’t certain he wanted to open his own shop, but when fate calls, ya better answer the dang phone.. Over 20 years later, Wild Creek Auto Restoration remains open with the same respect for the art of classic car restoration it began with.

What’s different about Wild Creek Auto Restoration? 

There really aren’t many shops left like Wild Creek Auto, a true full-service classic car restoration shop. That means every stage of your build is handled in-house, including mechanical repair, welding and fabrication, bodywork, custom paint, and final finishing. Everything your project might need to get back on that road safely, but also turn heads. 

Most restoration shops can paint your car. Jerry goes further.

 After years of automotive restoration and detailed painting experience, Jerry specializes in fully custom color creation, developing one-of-a-kind finishes that reflect each client’s vision.

He can send your car down the road in a color no one has ever seen before and won’t see on anyone else again. Every custom color formula is recorded and preserved. Never reused, ensuring your build remains completely unique.

Jeremy, another one of Wild Creek Auto’s car technicians, has worked closely with Jerry in his shop for more than 15 years. Jeremy came into Wild Creek Auto Restoration fresh from bodywork school. Over this time, Jeremy has proven just as talented in his mechanical work as in his welding, and he has honed his abilities into mastery. 

Every Classic Car Has a Story…

Most of them are childhood memories. “Whether it be.. My Dad’s or Uncle’s car… My Grandpa had one like this… or I always wanted one… They each have a story, and some of the stories are amazing.”

Jerry believes every car speaks to him, telling him what IT wants. Every client starts with a vision, and Jerry works closely with them to bring that idea to life, carefully enhancing it into something truly special.

Built On Experience. Driven By Passion. 

Today, Jerry has 60 years of hard work and hands on experience. He definitely has days when he jokes if, at this point, he’s still doing this because he’s certainly gone crazy. But really, he knows he’s here because that 15 seconds of fame you get as you turn heads and receive a thumbs up as you cruise down the road in your classic truck is a feeling any car guy should get to feel over and over. It’s why they do all this, really. 

Jerry believes in the future of classic cars. He believes in their value — emotional, historical, and financial. He believes that owning and maintaining a classic car preserves a piece of craftsmanship that will never go out of style.

Over 20 years of business, proudly serving Minnesota and the Midwest. Hundreds of restorations completed. Here’s to many more!