In a world that often celebrates the fast and disposable, Nick Conley prefers to keep things timeless. As the owner of Conley’s Towing and Service in Canton, Ohio, and the steward of a remarkable collection of restored classic cars, Conley has built his life around honoring what endures: precision, trust, and style that doesn’t fade with age.
Conley’s business is deeply rooted in tradition. A family operation that spans generations, Conley’s Towing and Service is a local staple, known as much for its mechanical know-how as for its unwavering sense of integrity. “My dad built this business by showing up early, working hard, and standing by his word,” Conley says. “We still do it that way. We don’t cut corners, and we treat every customer like they’re a neighbor, a lot of them are.”
In many ways, the family values that shape the business mirror those found in Conley’s personal passion: collecting and restoring classic cars. His garage, filled with vintage beauties from decades past, isn’t just a showcase of steel and chrome, it’s a tribute to craftsmanship, nostalgia, and the quiet power of transformation.
A Legacy Under the Hood
Conley’s love for vintage vehicles began in the garage, watching and working alongside his father. “It started with my dad. We’d spend weekends working on old cars together,” he recalls. The first car he ever bought, a Ford Mustang, still sits proudly in his collection, lovingly restored more than once. “I didn’t fully appreciate it when I was younger,” he admits. “Now I know that cars like that will never be made again. I treat them with a bit more care and respect than the younger, wilder version of myself did.”
For Conley, each car holds memories beyond the mechanics, memories of shared effort, hard-won patience, and stories layered into every curve of the metal. “They are less about the cars themselves, and more about the stories behind them. There are great memories attached to each one.”
Style Meets Substance
This connection to story, quality, and time-tested design is what makes Conley’s collection resonate so strongly with this issue’s focus on style. His cars aren’t just cool, they’re carefully curated reflections of eras when design was bold, honest, and built to endure. “When you’ve spent hours aligning a trim or perfecting a paint job, you start to notice everything,” he says. “We bring that same attention to detail to every car we work on. Whether it’s a tow, a tire change, or a major repair. We treat every vehicle like it’s one of our own.”
Balance in the Bay
Running a busy service and towing company while maintaining a classic car collection is no small feat. “It’s a juggling act for sure,” Conley says with a smile. “The shop is my day job, and the cars are my therapy.” Whether he’s elbow-deep in a restoration project or just spending an hour polishing chrome, time spent in the garage gives him space to recharge and reconnect with what he loves most.
He doesn’t restore for attention or competition, he restores because it keeps him grounded. “Even just a few hours in the garage helps me reset. It reminds me of where I came from and why I do what I do.”
Giving Back with Grit and Grace
Nick Conley’s commitment to style and service extends beyond the garage and into the Canton community. Under his leadership, Conley’s Towing and Service has become an active supporter of local causes, from the Aultman Women’s Group to the Police K-9 Association and the city’s Fourth of July celebrations.
One especially meaningful project was the creation of a large mural on the side of his building, a visual tribute to both the family business and the city it serves. Inspired by Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam,” the mural depicts Nick’s father, Nick Sr., handing him a wrench. “Auto service businesses aren’t usually known for being attractive,” he says. “But this was a way to tell our story creatively and give something permanent back to the community.”
Looking Ahead
While he dreams of expanding the collection, Conley is realistic about priorities. “Keeping the current cars in working order is a job itself,” he laughs. “There are cars we already have that aren’t complete, so those will take priority over anything new.” But that doesn’t mean his passion is slowing down. “We’ll definitely keep finding ways to give back to the community, that’s not changing.”
In both his business and his personal life, Nick Conley is a steward of more than cars. He’s preserving a set of values that, like a well-built engine or a hand-stitched interior, are getting harder to find in today’s fast-moving world.
“Restoring classic cars taught me not to rush. Every detail matters."