Tom Howey’s
Home Shop & Show Room
Walking into Tom Howey’s shop, visitors are immediately struck by the impressive attention to detail and the vintage Corvette collection—plus a classic Airstream trailer and even a couple of exotics! This multifaceted space includes a fabrication shop, showroom, assembly and parts area, and a man cave, all rolled into one. Primarily, Tom uses this facility for car restoration and fabrication, furniture building, and as a home for his collection. With no employees, Tom is hands-on in every step, with occasional help from fellow motorheads.
Tom, a retired orthopedic surgeon, flight surgeon (USAF Major), F-15/T-38 pilot, Space Shuttle response team member, and dedicated motorhead, built his shop with his own hands. He’s met and restored many legends, including Chuck Yeager, with whom he shared multiple lunches. Tom’s restoration passion parallels his medical career—just as he meticulously restored his patients, he now dedicates himself to reviving classic vehicles. His wife, Diane, an equestrian enthusiast, drives a classic ’50 Chevy 3100 truck, handling daily errands in style.
A Master-Level Corvette Judge with the National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS), Tom is devoted to preserving the history and authenticity of Corvettes from 1953 to 2007. He even authored a book on restoring ’59-’60 Corvettes to NCRS standards and won the prestigious Duntov Award for his meticulous restoration of a ’59 Corvette.
Tom’s 8,000 square-foot shop, built in 2005, features a woodframe structure to comply with HOA requirements and neighborhood aesthetics. Its 22-foot ceilings provide ample space for lifts, accommodating tall vehicles. Large overhead doors allow for easy drivethrough, and the fully insulated facility is lit with LED lights for clear visibility. A thickened slab handles heavier loads, and a robust security system includes rattlesnakes, Smith & Wesson firearms, coyotes, and even the occasional mountain lion!
The facility is organized into three main areas: a fabrication and restoration area, a showroom, and a woodworking shop that doubles as an assembly and parts area. The showroom, located at the entrance, rivals any new car showroom and includes one lift for a project car awaiting fabrication. It also serves as a meeting place for BRO’s, a local group of motorheads who periodically gather here. In the fabrication area, separated by overhead doors, a Chevy Nomad and a box truck await restoration. The air compressor has its own noise-contained room, and Tom has fully equipped his space for MIG/TIG welding, painting, and metalwork.
Tom’s advice to anyone building a shop: “Build it as big as your wife will let you!” With his father’s mantra, “I wish I had bought that car,” Tom ensures he never misses out on opportunities to add to his collection.
