Bill Becker's  background

How Becker's Auto Restoration beganBill Becker and Rolls Royce

Since 1959 when my family acquired our first vintage/antique automobile, a 1926 Chrysler I was passionately smitten by the old car bug. And that condition exists as strongly today as it did then. Immersing myself into all aspects of the hobby, by age 16 I began learning the trade of antique auto restoration. First the bodywork, then machining, painting and reassembly soon fell into place. Creating a masterpiece from a bent, rusty hulk became a passion.

Tualatin Valley Restorations began, thru which I restored such cars as Cadillacs, Pierce Arrows, Chevrolet, VW, Fords, Hupmobiles, Duesenbergs and Rolls Royces, my own included. Some of them taking First in Class and Sweepstakes at Forest Grove Concours’ D’Elegance, a premier vintage and antique auto show in the Pacific northwest region.

Having worked briefly with Harrah’s Auto Collection as an assistant researching and locating potential collection acquisitions from the local region was a fascinating experience and a rare opportunity. Other experiences have included owning and operating Becker’s Model T and A Ford Parts, Inc., at one time the northwest’s largest distributor of T and A Ford parts, including international sales of the Watts Clutch and Watts Grease Seals. But my greatest joy is sharing the hobby with others, by teaching fellow hobbyist how to accomplish a fine restoration with their own hands. Currently we offer opportunities for this to transpire by teaching a class at Portland Community College entitled: Restoring Your Hot Rod & Vintage Auto Class, which gives a general overview of the restoration process and offers resources galore. Others that are offered are Basic Hands-on Bodywork Class covering heat shrinking, peck and file, bumping and plastic filler; and Auto Paint Preparation Class, teaching the necessary steps to properly prepare their cars for final paint. Individual tutoring and/or consultation are offered as well. I rejoice when my students learn something new and put that knowledge into action. My passion becomes theirs when they learn to bring their project to fruition. When they can drive away in their very own beautifully restored automobile, having done the work themselves, somewhere along the way they too become smitten with the old car bug. Therein lies my passion.