TLC Restorations

10/17/2026

I made it back! 8:0pm.. 1/8 tank of gas left! Thanks to everyone for following along. I had a great time and glad to be home. - Rip

10/16/2026

Pit stop & progress check!

Rip pulled over to grab fuel and give everyone a real update on how the '71 GMC Ramp Truck is handling the highway.

It wouldn't be a 500-mile road trip in a vintage hauler without a few hiccups along the way—Rip breaks down a couple of small issues he’s run into on the road, but he’s feeling confident the rig is going to pull through and get them all the way home to Milton. Plus, he’s tracking the mileage numbers as he goes!

Classic trucks always keep you on your toes! Drop some encouragement for Rip in the comments below! 👇

10/16/2026

Day 2 is live, and the real test begins!

​Rip has the '75 Olds 442 strapped down tight on the '71 GMC Ramp Truck, a full tank of gas, and nearly 500 miles between him and Milton, Wisconsin.

​The catch? Before this trip, we’d only put 30 total miles on this truck! Asking a classic rig to tackle a 500-mile haul right out of the gate is a huge test, but Rip’s hitting the highway with full confidence.

​Drop some good vibes in the comments for Rip and the rig as they make the long push home today! 👇

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10/15/2026

The results are in… and Rip has a special message for our detailer, Boomer!

Part 1: The mileage math is done! Rip averaged an impressive 16.2 MPG driving the '75 Olds 442! Did anyone get close on their guess in the last post?

Part 2: Rip decided to take a pit stop and share a high-level "trade secret" for detailing car exteriors... Boomer, you might want to take notes on this revolutionary technique!

Drop a comment and tell us if you guessed the MPG right, and let Boomer know what you think of Rip’s new "detailing strategy" in the comments below! 👇

10/15/2026

A downpour, a classic Ford spot, and a big question on gas mileage!

​Rip’s road trip has turned into a full adventure today:
​First up: The skies opened up, but a little rain isn't stopping the '71 GMC Ramp Truck and that '75 Olds 442!
Next: Rip spotted a sweet old black Ford truck along the route—classic truck fans, you're going to love this one.
And finally: It’s time to fill 'er up! Hauling a '75 Olds on the back of a classic ramp truck takes some serious juice.

​DROP YOUR GUESS BELOW: What kind of MPG do you think Rip is getting on this trip? ⛽📉
​Leave your exact MPG guess in the comments! We’ll reveal the final numbers once he pulls into the shop! 👇

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10/15/2026

The journey begins! 🚛💨

Rip is hitting the road today and heading down to Hodges in Tennessee! The mission? Pick up our '71 GMC Ramp Truck, load up the '75 Olds 442 from our previous videos on the back, and haul it all back home.

We’ll be posting updates, pit stops, loading action, and road updates all day long!

👉 Hit Follow and turn on post notifications so you don't miss a single update on the trip!

10/14/2026

RESTORATION WORK - I love the details! Nice job Beau! - ty Rip

10/11/2026

10/08/2026

Why do customers from across the country bring their cars to TLC Restorations?

Because some projects require more than just a good body shop.

From full restorations and concours-level work to difficult projects that other shops couldn’t finish, we take on the jobs that demand a higher level of craftsmanship, experience, and attention to detail.

In fact, 35–40% of the work we do comes from other shops — often because they’ve reached a point where they need someone who can manage what comes next.

Texas. California. New York. Michigan. Florida. And everywhere in between.

We may be based in southern Wisconsin, but our work has taken us far beyond our own backyard. We're proud to have earned the trust of customers and shops across the country.

10/08/2026

Not every dream project that comes through our doors is a multi-year, concourse-level restoration.

Sometimes, the most meaningful builds are the ones full of character, rust, story, and a whole lot of heart.

Meet "Floyd," a 1959 Chevy Fleetside with a backstory that shows what family and community are all about.

Adam Reihl spotted Floyd sitting in a Spokane, Washington field while away on a job. After initially being turned away, Adam returned the next day with a sincere promise: to give the old farm truck new life and honor the history of the original owners along the way.

Adam brought Floyd home and poured his heart into the build—juggling family life, his career, and every free weekend he had. Following Adam’s passing in September of 2022, his family knew how much this truck meant to him. Driven by love and a desire to honor his memory, his wife Dianna, his parents Lisa and Bill Nyman, and his good friend Shawn Painter rallied together to bring Adam’s vision across the finish line.

That’s where our team at TLC Restorations had the privilege to step in.

When Floyd arrived at our shop, the bed was empty, leaving the battery and gas fill exposed. We got to work customizing a bed wood kit tailored specifically to Adam's truck:

Custom Woodwork: Hand-burned wood finish, sealed under a durable poly clear coat.

Functional Design: Seamlessly integrated the gas fill right into the custom bed wood.

Custom Metalwork: Carefully modified the original 1959 bed wheel wells to fit the truck's wide rear tires.

Underneath that beautifully aged, sun-faded patina sits an LS engine paired with a Tremec manual transmission. Floyd is a true resto-mod—a fun, loud, awesome truck to rip around in that turns heads wherever it goes.

We were deeply honored to surprise Lisa, Bill, and their family by delivering Floyd right to the Forever 34 Foundation Golf Outing at Bass Creek—a foundation created by the Nymans in loving memory of Adam and his friend Josh Long.

At TLC Restorations, we take pride in big, high-end builds, but small custom jobs like this remind us why we do what we do. It’s never just about metal, wood, and horsepower—it’s about helping families honor memories and bringing special dreams to life.

Floyd is officially complete and headed back home where he belongs.