Meet Nick Alles, a 17-year-old with a passion that spans generations. Alles’s journey into the world of vehicle restoration was introduced by his grandfather Tony Bever, whose love for cars has been a lifelong phenomenon. Bever’s devotion to vintage vehicles led him to buy an old battered Jeep about 15 years ago, starting a shared adventure with his grandson. But the real jewel in their collection is a 1948 Studebaker Commander, a relic from the ‘40s when Studebaker stopped production over 60 years ago.
Alles’s eyes light up when he talks about his grandfather’s collection, His grandpa has been into cars his whole life then like 10-15 years ago he bought this old jeep and it was very beat down then he inherited. Alles says that his favorite car is “1948 Studebaker Commander which stopped production 60 years ago.”
Alles’s grandfather has not only passed down his love and passion for cars but also his knowledge. Together, they have tackled various restoration projects, with the Studebaker being a central focus. Nick recalls one memorable instance when they spent an hour figuring out how to replace the gas tank, a seemingly simple task that turned into a challenge. For Nick, the joy of spending quality time with his grandpa while working on these cars is as important as the restoration process itself.
Despite all the cool experiences of restoration, Alles acknowledges the difficulties that come with it. He highlights the expense of acquiring the correct parts and the perpetual cycle of one part breaking just as another is fixed. Alles says “When you find one part another one seems to break.” This continuous cycle is a testament to the dedication that Alles and his grandpa require in the world of vintage car restoration.
Their partnership on many different restoration projects particularly the Studebaker Commander, is a symbol of their shared dedication and the joy they find in spending quality time together. The challenges they have faced, from the challenges of replacing a gas tank to the unending cycle of parts breaking and needing repair. This shows their commitment to the world of vintage car restoration.
