Crites Restoration Products

Crites Restoration Products stands as a unique and highly specialized entity within the realm of an Auto Repair Station, focusing not on repair services directly, but on the crucial provision of specialty auto parts. This business is a haven for enthusiasts and restorers of classic Ford and Mercury vehicles, particularly those from the 1960s and 1970s. Their core offering revolves around manufacturing and supplying high-quality, often custom-made, reproduction parts that are essential for bringing these iconic automobiles back to their former glory.

The philosophy at Crites Restoration Products is deeply rooted in a passion for preserving automotive history. Founded by Charles and France Crites, the business originated from a personal need for quality restoration parts for their own classic cars. This led them to identify a significant gap in the market for meticulously crafted components, especially for specific Ford and Mercury models. Their commitment to quality, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of the needs of classic car enthusiasts have cemented their reputation as a leading supplier in this niche. They pride themselves on producing parts that not only fit correctly but also uphold the integrity and authenticity of the original vehicles. This dedication ensures that restorers can confidently undertake projects knowing they are using reliable and accurate reproduction parts.

While Crites Restoration Products is primarily a parts manufacturer and supplier, the environment they operate in is reflective of their specialized nature. Located in South Bloomfield, Ohio, their facility is where these unique parts are often handcrafted. Due to the custom and specialized nature of their products, it's not a typical retail store with a sprawling showroom. Instead, it's a manufacturing and distribution hub. Customers typically interact with Crites Restoration Products through phone calls and online inquiries, as many items are made to order. The emphasis is on expert consultation and precise order fulfillment. The company encourages direct communication (phone calls during business hours are preferred) to ensure that customers receive the correct parts and that any specific questions related to their restoration projects are thoroughly addressed. This personalized approach contributes to a supportive environment for classic car enthusiasts who often need detailed guidance for their complex projects.

Crites Restoration Products offers a highly specialized range of goods for sale, primarily focused on performance and restoration parts for a select range of classic Ford and Mercury vehicles. These are not generic auto parts; rather, they are often meticulously reproduced or custom-fabricated to meet the exact specifications required for vintage car restoration and performance upgrades. Their offerings typically include:

• Fiberglass Body Panels: This is a significant specialty, including reproduction fiberglass body panels for iconic models like the Ford Falcon, Fairlane, Ranchero, Torino, Comet, Mustang, Cougar, and Galaxie. They are particularly known for parts that allow for the creation of replicas of legendary vehicles such as the Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt and AFX Comets and Falcons. These panels are often handcrafted and can sometimes be made to order with customer-specific modifications.

• Engine Conversion Kits: Providing specialized kits that facilitate engine swaps, particularly for installing larger or more powerful engines into classic vehicle chassis. This includes a variety of motor mounts designed for different engine and chassis combinations.

• Headers and Exhaust Components: Manufacturing custom-fit headers for various engine and chassis combinations, designed to optimize exhaust flow and enhance engine performance. These headers are often unique to specific classic Ford and Mercury models.

• Specialty Mounts: Beyond engine mounts, they may offer other specialized mounting brackets and components necessary for installing non-standard or performance parts in vintage vehicles.

• Chassis and Suspension Components: While not as extensively advertised as fiberglass body panels, they may offer certain specialized chassis reinforcement or suspension components tailored for the performance enhancement or restoration of the vehicles they specialize in.

Their products are primarily "made to order," reflecting the bespoke nature of classic car restoration. Lead times for these parts can vary significantly, from a few days to several weeks, especially for fiberglass components, which can take between three to twelve weeks to ship. This is due to the meticulous handcrafting and quality control processes involved.

The distinctive features of Crites Restoration Products lie in their deep specialization and commitment to quality and authenticity for a specific niche of classic vehicles. They are particularly recognized for:

• Niche Specialization: Their dedicated focus on classic Ford Falcon, Fairlane, Ranchero, Torino, Comet, Mustang, Cougar, and Galaxie restoration parts sets them apart. This narrow but deep specialization means they possess unparalleled expertise in these vehicle lines.

• High-Quality Reproduction Parts: Crites has earned a strong reputation for the accuracy and quality of their reproduction parts, ensuring they fit correctly and perform as expected in vintage applications. Their fiberglass parts are particularly acclaimed.

• Custom and Made-to-Order Capabilities: Many items are custom-made, allowing restorers to find unique solutions that might not be available elsewhere. This bespoke service is invaluable for complex restoration projects.

• Expert Knowledge and Consultation: Charles and France Crites are known for their vast knowledge of vintage cars and their willingness to share this expertise with customers, assisting them in troubleshooting and finding the right parts.

• "Lightning Bolt" Replicas: They even have a registered trademark for "LITENING BOLTS," referring to the replica cars that can be built using their metal or fiberglass parts, signifying their integral role in creating these iconic builds.

This dedication to a specific segment of the automotive hobbyist market, combined with their manufacturing capabilities, makes them an indispensable resource for those undertaking serious classic Ford and Mercury restorations.

Regarding promotional information, Crites Restoration Products primarily relies on its strong reputation within the classic car community and direct communication with customers rather than broad, mass-market advertising campaigns. While specific, time-limited promotional offers are not extensively publicized in the general sense, their inherent value proposition acts as a continuous promotion. Their pricing is typically reflective of the specialized, high-quality, and often custom-made nature of their products. For classic car parts that are difficult to source or are no longer manufactured by OEMs, Crites offers solutions that are invaluable, making their specialized offerings a key attraction. Their participation in car shows and events within the classic car circuit would also serve as a form of promotion, allowing them to connect directly with their target audience and showcase their products. The best way for prospective customers to inquire about specific pricing, availability, or any potential offers is to contact them directly via phone or email during their normal business hours. Their dedication to fulfilling niche demands for high-quality, difficult-to-find parts for vintage Ford and Mercury vehicles is their strongest and most consistent form of promotion, driving customer loyalty through expert provision of essential restoration components.