~ 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.

J.L.Fabrication is a Race Car / Hot Rod hi-performance oriented shop, which can fill most all of your high performance needs,  large or small.  They also have a rapidly expanding “Speed Shop” with very competitive pricing.

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”  …  However,  I am continuing to do work for J.L.Fabrication as a “Sub-Contractor.” J.L.Fabrication usually keeps me busy 40 hours a week with their scheduled cars.  Therefore,  we would like to invite you to call them to schedule any of your high performance needs.

(540) 434-4193

Please take a few minutes to browse our “Projects” page and get a feel for the look and quality of my workmanship.  Many of the pictures you will see are of work I’ve done at J.L.Fabrication.  J.L.Fab employs multiple fabricators, however,  the pictures shown on this website show case my work only.  If you like what you see,  and schedule work to be done at J.L.Fabrication,  Please feel free to request me to do your work.

                                           THANKS ! Rob & Christy Bernhard