A Family Tradition Since 1972
Thanks for your interest in Brookville products. The beginnings for Brookville Roadster were laid over thirty-six years ago much like the start of other street rodding businesses. Ray Gollahon was just trying to support his own car hobby and make some sheet metal parts needed to restore his own car. As a career metal worker and an avid Model A and ’32 enthusiast it was a natural start. The first year, at a 1972 swap meet event he and his wife Donna sold out all of their patch panels and components the first day. After working many nights and weekends in their own garage, the success of the metal parts led to the creation of Antique Auto Sheet Metal, Inc. For the next two decades that company produced literally thousands of much needed replacement parts and body panels for both the collector car market and street rodders too. It is a testament to the quality of the products and the foresight of the founders that after thirty-six years not one part number or product produced has ever been discontinued.
Our Investment in Skills and Technology
The goal all along has been to maintain control over every possible step in the manufacturing process. Steady investments in the kind of machinery, technology and skilled craftsmen required to produce these components has resulted today in unmatched manufacturing capabilities and award winning product quality.
Our Commitment to Authenticity
Our reproduction 1932 Ford Three Window door latch you see below is an excellent example of just how far we can go to produce the most accurate components for our customers. Virtually every part of this complicated yet reliable latch system must be made by our crew. Over twenty individual pieces must be machined, stamped or turned to the original specs because they simply no longer exist from any supplier. This latch set is representative of every part we manufacture. Each panel, door, deck lid and fender is equal to or superior and will interchange with the original parts they are replacing.
How good are they? We won’t name names, but cars featuring Antique Auto Sheet Metal and Brookville bodies and parts have won their categories at the Amelia Island Concourse and The Model A Club of America! We had to finally confess in the latter case because it was just to prove the point.
Pioneering the First All Steel Ford Bodies
After more than twenty years of continued customer loyalty we had another great idea. Since we already had all the separate components to repair any Model A roadster and roadster pickup, why not buid complete replacement bodies? Thus, Brookville Roadster, Inc. was born. Starting with what we knew best, we first introduced our 1928-29 Model A roadster and the 1928-29 roadster pick-up complete bodies in 1982. Soon after came the 1930-31 bodies and then our exclusive extended cab versions of the roadster pick-ups. The Model A continues to be a major part of our business and has remained popular with restorers and rodders alike. In fact, Street Rodder Magazine’s Chief Editor recently built a beautiful red ’29 roaster which you can see on page 5 of this catalog.
In 1995, we turned our attention to the grandaddy of all hot rodding, the legendary 1932 Deuce Roadster. Perhaps no other car in American history has meant so much to performance enthusiasts since the day it was first produced. The beautiful lines and rodding legacy are etched into the minds of rodders of all ages. In producing this body, we knew the stakes were high. Over the two year research and development we studied original cars, consulted original blueprints and talked with everyone who could help us produce the most perfect reproduction body possible. In 1997, all of our efforts were rewarded with the National Street Rod Association’s “Best New Product of The Year” award. And more importantly, the Brookville ’32 Roadster has been in constant demand by the country’s most respected street rod builders since its introduction.
Why Choose Brookville?
Before Brookville, the only choices for street rod bodies were original survivors, with all their years of wear and tear, or fiberglass reproductions. It has been argued that the rodding hobby would not be where it is today without the fiberglass option. The costs to tool-up for a fiberglass body is a fraction of that to manufacture a full steel structure and the relative ease of finish-out made them an attractive alternative. Today, due to rising material costs, fiberglass is not that much lower in cost than a steel reproduction body. Plus, the retained value of steel bodied cars has proven to far exceed the initial investment difference. So, after many years on our own, there are now others trying the steel body business with varying results.
However, there are clear differences in the offerings. Some offer “enhanced” or representative body lines and contours. Others offer modern conveniences targeted at buyers used to OEM driving. And naturally, some target price at the expense of thorough engineering and manufacturing principles. Brookville started with, and has always produced, only the most original, most authentic, and most accurate body possible in the belief that the details and lines from the past are the reason these cars have remained so popular for over seventy-five years.
Our Latest Achievement
In 2004, we took our next giant leap. Beyond the iconic ’32 roadster, the handsome ’32 Three Window coupe is one of the most popular cars ever produced. Originals are more rare today than roadsters and for everyday cruising or long distance tours, the Three Window makes great sense. But this car would be our greatest challenge. Many more engineering issues appear with a closed car and we know modern rodders expect twenty-first century fit and finish in their cars. The first step was to completely digitally scan one of our own well preserved original cars using state-of-the-art OEM equipment.
Success Is a Team Effort
This level of accuracy uncovered the inconsistencies in even the highly prized original cars. To manufacture the best possible reproduction body, the variables needed to be eliminated and soon the solution was clear. We then decided to create a huge one-piece stamping of each entire side of the coupe body. This assured that each car would have the exact same door clearances and would greatly strengthen the body structure during final assembly and finishing. The process is modern but the resulting body is accurate right down to the bracing, wood and that complicated door latch we spoke of earlier.
That’s a bit of our history, how we approach our business and some information about our product quality. Whether you are ready to build the perfect new street rod project or simply need to replace some worn body panels on your original body, Brookville is the right place to start. For your new project there is no better foundation than one of our starter kits. We have created body and chassis packages that will give you a big head start by including most of the major components you’ll need. Choose from classic full fendered styles to traditional Hi-Boy fenderless rods, roadster pick-ups or our award winning Three Window coupe. Take the time to dream using the handy work sheets included in each model section. Each package has enough options to fill most needs and we will be happy to discuss any ideas you may have for your dream car. The body section outlines each of our All-Steel models in detail. Remember, Brookville bodies can be used on any original frame too.
Thanks again for your interest and we look forward to working with you on your next project.
– Kenny Gollahon