20 - 12 of 20

Craig Hopkins

Craig grew up in a small southern California beach town in the early 50s. It’s easy to say that So Cal in the 50s was the classic car mecca. Even as a small boy, he had the fever helping his uncles wrench on their hot rods. His uncle Ronnie had a ’32 3-window coupe with a ’52 olds engine. Even his uncle Mark’s girlfriend had a ’39 coupe with a Columbia 2 speed rear end. At 10 years old, Craig helped change the clutch in the ’39. If you have to ask if these cars were Fords, you weren’t there. If it had wheels they bought and sold them. Craig owned 35 cars before graduating high school — always repairing them and trading up, and even drove a nice ‘55 Chevy before graduating. After high school he worked in some tool and die shops in the LA area, still buying and trading cars and motorcycles, not only repairing the mechanical parts but also doing the paint and body work. Drafted in 1967, Craig sold all of his rolling stock and took a few years off. Returning home he worked in some independent VW and Porsche garages building engines and transmissions. At this time, he started to restore some older VW’s and after subletting some of the body work, only to be disappointed with the results, he started doing his own body work. It wasn’t long before he had a waiting list. This is when he changed trades. Craig has always enjoyed all aspects of the auto trade and has managed to be at some of the right places at the right time, building several magazine and SEMA cars, even shooting a restoration video library with Hot Rod Magazine. This has lead to producing his own educational videos. Craig’s tag line to everyone that learns techniques from his videos is “yes, you can.”
videos 80 Videos

Dennis Gage

Dennis Gage's passion for machines was kindled on a small family farm in northwestern Illinois. He delved into mechanical tinkering at a young age, acquiring his first motorcycle, a 50cc Honda Cub, at the tender age of 12. By 15, he proudly owned his first car, a '59 Ford Thunderbird Bird. His musical talents also flourished, with Dennis playing the guitar and trumpet in a diverse range of rock, folk, and school bands. Throughout his college years, he maintained his automotive fervor and possessed a variety of muscle and sports cars. Simultaneously, his musical pursuits continued, as he performed in local coffee houses and even had the privilege of opening for esteemed acts such as Charlie Daniels, Waylon Jennings, and Dr. Hook. Dennis is probably best recognized as the mustachioed host of the classic car TV show, My Classic Car. Beyond this, he serves as the Executive Producer for motorcycle television programs like Corbin's Ride On and Trippin' on Two Wheels, as well as the reality series Texas Hardtails and the independent film November.
26 Videos

Brent Ackley & George Vondriska

Brent Ackley performed his first engine swap at age 15. He has been messing with cars ever since and has had hundreds of them. He holds a degree in Collision Repair Technology. George Vondriska first got grease under his fingernails while working at a gas station. and working on his first car, a ’67 Dodge Dart, purchased for $250. Although George eventually replaced the Dart, he kept spinning wrenches on his daily drivers. Working in his own garage keeping his “fleet” on the road, George has learned lots of tricks he’s ready to pass along to you.
68 Videos

Craig & Aaron Hopkins

Craig Hopkins grew up in a small southern California beach town and owned 35 cars before graduating high school — always repairing them and trading up. He worked in some tool and die shops in the LA area, before being drafted in 1967. Returning home, he worked in independent VW and Porsche garages, building engines and transmissions, then started doing his own body work. He has built several magazine and SEMA cars, even shooting a restoration video library with Hot Rod Magazine. This has led to his producing his own educational videos. Craig’s words to everyone who learns from his videos are “Yes, you can.” Aaron Hopkins, Craig's son, has also spent many years in the custom classic auto fabrication and restoration industry.
6 Videos

George Vondriska

George Vondriska first got grease under his fingernails while working at a gas station. This was at a time when NO ONE pumped their own gas—every fill included a check of oil, coolant and windshield fluid, and gas cost $.62/gallon. George soon graduated from pump jockey to grease monkey, doing oil changes and basic repairs. The next big step was George’s first car, a ’67 Dodge Dart, purchased for $250. That slant six ran great but, cars being cars, the Dart needed periodic work. Necessity soon had George doing tunes-ups, greasing wheel bearings, replacing the starter and whatever it took to keep the car running. Although George eventually replaced the Dart, he kept spinning wrenches on his daily drivers, determined to pay outside mechanics as little as possible. Water pump, fuel pump, brakes and exhaust, it’s all fair game. Working in his own garage keeping his “fleet” on the road, George has learned lots of tricks he’s ready to pass along to you.
17 Videos

Cam Benty

Cam Benty has been a content/marketing specialist since 1978, having served as the editor-in-chief for Sport magazine, Petersen’s NBA, MLB, NFL and NHL Annuals, Petersen’s College Football and Basketball Annuals, MotorTrend Specials, Car Craft, Popular Hot Rodding, Hot Rod Specials, Muscle Car Review, and other publications. Cam has extensive knowledge of a wide range of products via hands-on testing and personal passion for sports, vehicles, motorsports and racing. From 1999 through 2001, he was the editorial director/publisher for Real Edge magazine, a one million circulation bi-monthly custom magazine for Hearst Publishing directed to young men. During 2002, Benty created the Moto-Award-winning multi-media CD, Guide to your New Ride for Daimler-Chrysler Corporation and MotorTrend Magazine.
5 Videos

Bruce Macleod

Bruce Macleod is an expert metal fabricator and the current managing director at Contour Academy, a UK-based organization offering classic car restoration courses. He specializes in shaping intricate double-curvature sheet metal panels used in automotive, marine, and architectural applications. With a lifetime of experience, Bruce has honed his skills in vehicle body construction and repair, initially learning from his coachbuilder father. As a respected authority in his field, Bruce has trained numerous individuals, both professionals and enthusiasts, in the art of crafting body panels and restoring vehicle bodies.
5 Videos
This site uses cookies and other technologies to track your use of the site that will allow us and our service providers and partners to enhance your experience and deliver relevant content to you. By agreeing to or closing this notice, you understand and agree to such use and data collection. For more information about our privacy practices and your choices, please visit our privacy policy and cookie notice.