About Us | Emberveil Chronicle Auto Repair | Classic Car Restoration Toronto

Where It All Started

Look, I'll be honest with ya - this whole thing started in my dad's garage back in '98. I was just a kid who couldn't keep his hands off carburetors and couldn't stand seeing beautiful old machines rotting away in backyards.

My grandfather had this '67 Mustang that'd been sitting under a tarp for years. Spent three summers bringing her back from the dead, learning everything the hard way - busted knuckles, wrong parts ordered, the whole nine yards. But when that engine finally turned over? Man, I was hooked for life.

Started doing restorations outta that garage, word spread around Toronto, and before I knew it, folks were lining up with their cherished classics. In 2008, we finally opened our proper shop on Dundas Street West, and we've been chronicling automotive history ever since.

Every car that rolls through our doors has a story - our job's to make sure that story keeps going for another generation or two.

The Chronicle Timeline

1998 - The Garage Years

Started restoring classics in dad's two-car garage. First project: Grandpa's Mustang. Took forever, but taught me everything about patience and attention to detail.

2003 - Growing Reputation

Word got around the Toronto classic car scene. Started taking on client projects - mostly muscle cars and vintage imports. Had to rent a bigger space just to fit all the work coming in.

2008 - Emberveil Chronicle Opens

Finally opened our official shop at 1847 Dundas Street West. Four bays, proper equipment, and a team of three guys who were just as crazy about old cars as me. This was it - we were legit.

2012 - Expanding Services

Added custom paint booth and brought on a master fabricator. Started handling complete ground-up restorations and custom builds. Our first award-winning restoration made its debut at the Toronto Auto Show.

2016 - Master Certification

Earned our Master Technician certifications and became recognized specialists in pre-1980s vehicles. Started doing appraisals and consultation work for collectors across Ontario.

2020 - Going Digital

Launched our digital documentation system - every restoration gets photographed and chronicled properly. Started sharing our work online and connecting with vintage car enthusiasts worldwide.

2025 - Still Chronicle-ing

Over 300 restorations completed, countless classics saved from the crusher, and we're still as passionate as day one. The shop's grown but the mission hasn't changed - preserve these automotive legends for future generations.

What Drives Us

It's not just about fixing cars - it's about preserving pieces of history that people poured their hearts into decades ago.

Authenticity Matters

We're not about modernizing everything or slapping on aftermarket junk. If you want your '65 GTO restored to factory specs, we'll hunt down the correct parts even if it takes months. That's just how we roll.

No Cookie-Cutter Work

Every classic's different, every owner's got their own vision. We don't do assembly-line restorations. Your car gets the individual attention it deserves, period.

Old-School Craftsmanship

Yeah, we use modern tools when they make sense, but there's no substitute for hand-fitting panels or properly leading body seams. Some techniques can't be rushed or automated.

You're Part of the Process

This is your car, your investment, your dream. We keep you in the loop with regular updates, photos, and we actually welcome you stopping by to check on progress. No secrets here.

The Team Behind the Wrenches

We've got a crew of seven full-time guys, each one bringing their own specialties to the table. From engine machining to custom fabrication to paint and bodywork - we handle everything in-house.

No offense to the new generation of techs, but vintage work requires a different mindset. You gotta understand how these machines were built back when tolerances were measured differently and parts were actually meant to be rebuilt, not just swapped out.

Most of our team's been with us for years - some since the early days on Dundas. That continuity matters when you're trying to maintain quality and keep that institutional knowledge alive.

Certifications & Affiliations

We don't just talk the talk - we've got the credentials to back up our expertise.

Master Technician

ASE Certified

AACA Member

Vintage Specialist

BBB Accredited

Appraisal Certified

Professional Affiliations

Classic Car Club of America (CCCA)

Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)

Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC)

Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association (APMA)

Behind the Scenes

A peek into our daily operations and the workspace where magic happens.

Our Facility

The shop's got four main bays for active restorations, a dedicated paint booth with proper ventilation and lighting, a metal fabrication area, and a parts room that's basically a treasure trove of NOS and hard-to-find components we've collected over the years.

We've also got a small climate-controlled storage area for customers who need secure long-term parking for their classics. Nothing fancy, but it's clean, dry, and monitored.

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Ready to Start Your Restoration Journey?

Let's talk about bringing your classic back to life. No pressure, just honest conversation about what's possible.

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