Ortonville- At 38-years-old, Troy Cubero is finally doing for a living what he always wanted to do.
On Monday afternoon, he is lying under a candy apple red 1968 Camaro, working on putting an automatic transmission in the classic car.
About three weeks ago, Cubero opened Troy’s Restoration and Repair at 105 S. Ortonville Road.
‘This was a mental health thing,? said Cubero of his passion for repairing and restoring classic vehicles, tractors, and equipment. ? I wanted a shot at doing what I always wanted to do.?
Cubero has been a mechanic for more than 20 years, working on vehicles at night at his home. Last year, he decided to take the plunge and make it a full-time business.
At Troy’s Restoration and Repair, Cubero works on a variety of vehicles including street rods, F-body, pony and muscle cars, most ranging from the 1930s to the early 1970s.
‘I do work that ranges from high-end to the average Joe,? he said. ‘The quality of work is the same.?
Often, customers bring in vehicles they began repairing or restoring themselves, but then didn’t have the time or the knowledge to finish the project. Cubero has worked on vehicles that have sat in pole barns for more than 10 years where the owner wanted it fixed to sell it, or to enjoy it again.
One of the biggest challenges he faces is finding parts, and for vehicles from the 20s to the 40s, these often have to be found online or at swap meets.
Cubero has some customers who want their vehicle to have an exterior that looks original, but an interior that has new amenities like power locks, air conditioning and power steering, and other customers who are purists and want their vehicle from front to back to be like it was when it rolled out of the showroom. He caters to both kinds of customers.
Right now, besides the Camaro, he is also working on a ?54 Chevy and has a list of customers who want work done on various vehicles before the Woodward Dream Cruise in August.
‘I do the best work I can possibly do for every job, whether it’s a ?68 Camaro or older tractor or construction equipment,’said Cubero, who is planning an open house July 17.