~ How We Got Started ~

Following in my Father’s foot steps, my passion for “Hot Rods” was acquired at an early age. Shortly after moving to the Shenandoah Valley in the early 70’s, I worked side by side with my Dad on the very truck that we used to move with, a 1954 Ford F-100. We installed a big block Ford “FE” engine and went drag racing!

    After campaigning the truck for several years, my Dad purchased a 1963 Ford Fairlane. Once again the power plant of choice was a big block Ford “FE”. We raced the Fairlane for many years and still own it today. It’s currently powered by a “blown & injected” 504 cubic inch Ford Hemi.

    While still in high school, I started working at a race engine shop in Waynesboro, Va. Eastside Auto & Machine Shop, owned by Bill Mathias. While working there I met, worked with, and became good friends with two long time drag racers, Jerry Hamilton and G.W.Fitzgerald. Jerry owned the locally famous big block 4-speed 68’ Ford Mustang called “Super Fats.” G.W. was the owner of Performance Engineering, a hi-performance shop also located in Waynesboro, Va. He had a “Pro Stock” style Chevrolet Monza at the time.

    Several years later I went to work for Fisher Auto Parts, located in Harrisonburg Va. While working there, my Dad and I continued to race his ‘63 Ford Fairlane. After many years of drive train and chassis upgrades, the ’63 was parked in the shop for “freshening up” and my Dad purchased a 1964 Ford Fairlane. We took that car from 260 cubic inches, to more than 260 cubic inches per side! It remains Dad’s “street” car, but is now powered by a 598 cubic inch big block and a Lenco CS-1 transmission!

    While doing “Hot Rod” side jobs at our shop in Grottoes, Va., my Dad introduced me to the art of welding and got me interested in chassis fabrication. Eventually I went to work for J.L. Fabrication in Harrisonburg, Va.

    After working as a J.L.Fabrication employee for several years, I found myself wanting to take advantage of the many benefits that self employment could offer me. After much support and encouragement from our family and friends, my wife Christy and I are pleased to announce that we are now the proud owners of “1320 Speed & Kustom”.

    Please take a few minutes to browse our “Projects” page and get a feel for the look and quality of my workmanship.

                                      THANKS ! Rob & Christy Bernhard