KAYLA MCCOLL
Observer Reporter
How many of us have fond memories of our fathers working on that old fixer-upper? Then, proudly riding shotgun with them in the bright and shiny restored Chevy ‘57?
Dave Heppner, owner of the newly-opened Memory Lane Custom and Classic Auto Parts is hoping that many of you do, and will be following in those footsteps to restoring your own vehicle.
Heppner’s shop, located on Two Mile Flat, has all the parts you need for your old automobile, as well as high performance and hot rod parts, memorabilia and consignments.
He was born and raised in Quesnel, and like many of us, started rebuilding cars with his father when he was 16.
“It was my dad’s hobby, so I grew up with it. It’s been in my family for a long time,” Heppner said.
He went on to become a certified mechanic, working in his field at the West Fraser Plywood plant for 32 years.
Car restoration has become a favourite pastime of his and has restored five vehicles – 1957 Chevy Belaire, 1963 Corvette, 1938 Model A Ford, 1964 Chevelle and 1967 Firebird Sprint that is still in project mode.
He is vice president of the Prospector’s Car Club, of which he speaks highly.
“[It’s a] social thing, we get together Friday nights and go for drives.”
Heppner decided to open his own shop because, “it was hard to find specialty parts for rebuilding collector cars.”
Also, it’s often difficult to find particular parts in new condition.
Memory Lane offers a consignment section as well.
Heppner noticed a surge of interest in the vehicle restoration hobby and decided there was enough demand to open a shop.
“It’s growing compared to five years ago. As people get older, they can afford the cars,” he said.
When asked if Heppner also does restoration work for people, he says he doesn’t, but can offer a lot of advice and that “half the fun is in the building.”
Heppner’s wife Wendy, who is also working at the store, agrees.
“Once someone does one [vehicle] they usually do more,” she said.
Wendy has a retail background that adds to the business and has been “drug around to car shows for the past 30 years” so she also has a wealth of knowledge.
The social aspect of the car shows is a central component for the Heppners.
They enjoy the club drives, which sometimes take them to Prince George and beyond.
They meet other families and develop good relationships with their fellow club members.
Heppner says the main reason they opened Memory Lane was to make it easier for the local people to buy the restoration parts that are hard to find and to offer knowledge as well.
“I invite everyone that knows me or people that enjoy the hobby to come in and take a look.”
Memory Lane is located at 1271 Hwy 97 North.
Look for their Grand Opening in conjunction with a car show in April.