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2007-12-06  BUSINESS | Classic car enthusiasts flock to Flashback Motorworks in Forsyth
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| | by Logan Thomas | |  |
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| | | (LOGAN THOMAS/www.forsythherald.com)
Richard Gossett revs up the engine of the 1989 Lamborghini Countach in the Flashback Motorworks facility in Forsyth County.
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December 12, 2007
Richard Gossett is in the dreams business.
And the dreams he works with are on four wheels.
The owner of Flashback Motorworks in Forsyth County knew he was onto something when he first came up with the idea of a company that would provide everything from a routine oil change to a full restoration for classic car owners. Even if, of course, everyone thought he was out of his mind.
"People said, 'you're crazy. That's a stupid idea,'" he said. "It was an uphill battle from day one."
Gossett's persistence has grown into the largest classic car restoration facility in the country with 68,000 square feet boasting several finished cars and many in the process, as well as 22 employees hard at work on making customers' dreams a reality.
This all makes coming to work everyday pure joy, Gossett said.
"I wanted the kind of place I could retire in and have fun," he said. "This is the kind of job where the real pleasure is in seeing people's reaction to what we can do. As long as they smile when they come in and leave, we've done our job."
Gossett spent years as a software programmer before he came up with the basic business plan in 2002 for Flashback Motorworks after a bad experience trying to have work done on his own classic car. It took two years of research and planning before he opened the doors in January 2004.
Business has been a whirlwind ever since, Gossett said.
"We started with five employees and now we have 22," he said. "We had car shows and different events that would just bring more people in and the former customers back in. Sometimes guys just want to hang out here and we've had wives calling wondering if their husbands are still here."
Gossett said he wanted a friendly and open atmosphere at the facility located on Pendley Road near Exit 13 on Ga. 400.
"The problem with most classic car restoration establishments is that it's a place you don't feel comfortable," said Gossett. He routinely gives tours of the facility and work areas. "We want people to feel comfortable here and that was one of the first things put into place."
Things are just getting started with the company, according to Gossett.
The facility will hold a car show on Jan. 19, 2008 and Gossett said the company is "on the verge of going national."
"I would like to expand our business here," he said. "We would like to start a restoration college and start recruiting our own techs. We're going to start a 1950s style diner right here on the property and eventually start a driver's club when I'm happy with the business plan."
The company has 60 active projects on everything from a rare 1939 MG TA Tickford to Mustangs from the 1960s.
"That's what makes us unusual," Gossett said. "We don't specialize in any one type of car. It was mostly British as first, now we have American muscle cars, German cars and hot rods. We work on it all."
- www.northfulton.com
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Reader Comments
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July 21, 2008 | 09:11 PM
We have a 1929 Ford in storage in Gainsville. We are wanting to get an estimate on having it restored. It hasn't been on the road since 1970 and has been sitting for 30 years.
Phyllis Dezember
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