Hullco Antique Auto Restorations

Hullco Antique Auto Restorations Hullco is a full service specialty
automotive restoration, repair and maintenance
facility. Experts in classic and antique automotive restoration.

Whether you want us to build you a nice
driver for the street, or a Pebble Beach quality show car, Hullco Antique Auto Restoration is the place for you.

05/29/2026

Fun Franklin Friday! 1922 & 1929

The next major task on the 1922 Franklin 10B was replacing the vinyl top. It’s incredible to see how these roofs were co...
05/20/2026

The next major task on the 1922 Franklin 10B was replacing the vinyl top. It’s incredible to see how these roofs were constructed over 100 years ago — layer by layer, all by hand.

The process started with carefully removing the drip rails that run around the front and both sides of the car. Since the rails are aluminum, they bend very easily, and the nails are actually part of the drip rail itself, making removal a delicate and time-consuming job.

Once the drip rails were removed, we carefully pulled all of the tacks holding the top material in place. Underneath, we uncovered the original roof construction: the old vinyl top, followed by a layer of felt padding, and then a cheesecloth-style material underneath. These multiple layers helped create a smoother finish, added insulation, reduced noise and vibration, and protected the wooden roof structure beneath.

The installation process was essentially the reverse of removal. We first installed the new cheesecloth, followed by the padding and new vinyl top. Before reinstalling the drip rails, each one had to be carefully straightened so the nails would line back up with the exact holes they originally came out of. This was no easy task, especially since the new top material covered the original holes.

Now that the drip rails are back on the car, the next step will be painting them in their original factory black color.

This 1951 Chevrolet 3100 pickup has truly been a labor of love over the last few years, and we are finally in the last s...
05/19/2026

This 1951 Chevrolet 3100 pickup has truly been a labor of love over the last few years, and we are finally in the last stages before returning it to its owner.
One special request from the owner was adding a lock to the driver-side door — something these trucks did not originally come with from the factory. Back in the late 1940s and early 1950s, Chevrolet only installed an exterior lock on the passenger-side door. The idea was that drivers parked on the street could safely unlock the truck from the sidewalk side instead of standing in traffic next to the driver’s door.
Our challenge? The driver-side lock mechanism simply does not exist for these trucks… and neither does the hole for the lock cylinder in the door itself. That meant mechanic Justin had to fabricate the mechanism from scratch and carefully create the opening for the new lock cylinder.
It’s details and challenges like this that make restoration work both demanding and rewarding.
For the finale of this truck, we’ll be installing an original-style visor over the windshield. Stay tuned!

Introducing the newest arrival here at Hullco — a 1967 Pontiac Firebird with a story we’re excited to continue.This car ...
05/15/2026

Introducing the newest arrival here at Hullco — a 1967 Pontiac Firebird with a story we’re excited to continue.
This car was actually here in our shop 15 years ago. Back then, we completed extensive metal work, including replacing both quarter panels, wheel wells, and the trunk floor. We also sourced a combination of new and used body parts, including doors, fenders, and a hood.
Like many long-term restoration projects, life stepped in. With kids heading off to college and other responsibilities taking priority, the owner brought the car home, where it sat in his garage exactly as it left our shop.
Fast forward 15 years — the kids are grown, college is behind them, and the owner is now retired. His goal? Finish the car so his family can finally enjoy it together.
We’re thrilled to have this Firebird back at Hullco and honored to help bring this project across the finish line.
Our first task will be disassembling the nose and beginning the next phase of work from the back forward.
More to come soon!

After finishing the damaged hood on this 1922 Franklin Series 10B, we moved on to the cowl area, which was also damaged ...
05/11/2026

After finishing the damaged hood on this 1922 Franklin Series 10B, we moved on to the cowl area, which was also damaged when the tree fell on the car.

We used the same repair process on the cowl that we used on the hood, but this stage was a bit more time-consuming since the cowl is attached to the car. That meant working underneath the dash to access and metal-finish the dents properly.

One really interesting thing in these photos is how differently the color appears depending on the camera angle and lighting. Believe it or not, every one of these pictures is the exact same paint color.

Next up is the final major task on this project: replacing the roof material. Stay tuned!

In our last post on this 1962 Ford Thunderbird Convertible, we talked about organizing all of the convertible top linkag...
05/08/2026

In our last post on this 1962 Ford Thunderbird Convertible, we talked about organizing all of the convertible top linkages, hinges, and pistons for prep and paint.
While that process was underway, we also had the opportunity to paint several sections of the body, including the quarter panels, rockers, door jambs, and wheel skirts.
The photos don’t fully capture it, but this car is going to be absolutely stunning once it all comes together.
In our next post, we’ll show the progression of the convertible top components — from disassembly and sandblasting all the way through priming and paint. Stay tuned!

This 1922 Franklin Series 10B arrived at Hullco for some much-needed TLC after a tree sadly fell on the car, damaging th...
05/07/2026

This 1922 Franklin Series 10B arrived at Hullco for some much-needed TLC after a tree sadly fell on the car, damaging the roof, cowl area, and hood.
What makes this car especially interesting is that all of the body panels are aluminum — not steel. Franklin used aluminum in the early 1920s because it was much lighter than steel, making it easier to form body panels.
We started by removing the hood and metal-finishing the damaged areas. Once the metalwork was complete, we moved on to bodywork and primer. After the primer cured, we blocked it out and painted it. In one of the photos, you’ll notice we left a swatch of the original paint so we can achieve the best possible color match. That’s easier said than done because this car still wears a lacquer paint job — a finish that is rarely used by today’s standards.
Up next: the cowl area, followed by the roof restoration. Stay tuned!

Now that we have the trunk, flip lid, and package tray painted, we’ve turned our attention to the trunk floor, as it nee...
04/29/2026

Now that we have the trunk, flip lid, and package tray painted, we’ve turned our attention to the trunk floor, as it needs to be finalized before we can move forward with installing the convertible top components.

In these photos, you’re getting a sneak peek at the car’s color—a beautiful blue called “Light Aqua Blue Poly.”

Up next, we’ll be compiling all of the convertible top linkages, hinges, and pistons for prep and paint. Stay tuned!

What song are you playing on the drive home? 🎶🔥This beautiful 1957 Chevy pickup rolled out of Hullco today after getting...
04/28/2026

What song are you playing on the drive home? 🎶🔥

This beautiful 1957 Chevy pickup rolled out of Hullco today after getting the attention it deserves. From its bold red finish to those clean lines and classic stance, this truck is ready to turn heads all over again. We’re proud to have been part of bringing this piece of American history back to life—and even more excited to see it back where it belongs: on the road.

Another full frame-off restoration underway at Hullco—a 1985 Jeep J20 4x4 pickup.We started on the fenders by stripping ...
04/27/2026

Another full frame-off restoration underway at Hullco—a 1985 Jeep J20 4x4 pickup.
We started on the fenders by stripping them down to bare metal, then sandblasting the spot welds to separate the fender from the flare.
One photo tells the story—heavy bondo hiding an old repair. When we see that much filler, it usually means the metal underneath wasn’t finished correctly. So we took it back to square one.
After sandblasting, we reworked the metal and made the proper repairs to bring these fenders back the right way. No shortcuts.
They’ll be set aside for now until we’re ready to fit everything to the doors and cab. That’ll take some time—the cab is up next, and it’s going to need it. Stay tuned.

Address

126 Route 560
Layton, NJ
07851

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 7am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 7am - 4:30pm
Thursday 7am - 4:30pm
Friday 7am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+19739484380

Website

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