Wally’s Speed Shop has been building dreams and preserving legacies in the form of classic cars, trucks, and hot rods since 2016. An award-winning custom car builder in Loveland, not only do they specialize in restoring classic cars and hot rods, they are passionate hobbyists who savor every part and aspect of the restoration process.
Started in 2016 by husband and wife team, Wally and Miriam Veigel, they pride themselves on offering the very best work from the best mechanics and craftsmen in the industry, which definitely seems to be resonating with classic car, truck, and hot rod enthusiasts throughout Northern Colorado. Since 2016 they have outgrown two previous buildings and are now on their third, which is quickly starting to bust at the seams with a constant ensemble of rebuilds, fabrications, and servicing projects.
At Wally’s, they offer an extensive array of services all under one roof, including full car restoration, bodywork and repair, mechanical repair, and paint, with an objective of trying to keep as much of the restoration process in-house as possible. And with over 110 years of cumulative experience spread amongst their staff of 10, they can handle any project that comes their way. In fact, they love a challenge. It takes passion and skill to tackle these projects and that’s exactly what they have.
“We have a passionate group here,” Wally explains. “You have to be a passionate person to work on this stuff. It’s not as glamorous as everyone wants it to be. You have to be invested in the final goal and you have to be physically and emotionally invested to get it done.”
Wally’s automotive passion was ignited when he received his first truck as a teenager, a 1963 C-10. He immediately immersed himself in the automotive culture which seemed to fill a void that he didn’t even realize was there. He then went on to tech school to pursue his interest. It was through school and his trusty C-10 that he learned a lot about automotive repair. Fast forward to 2016, and he was ready to go into business for himself and start a shop that was different from the rest. He wanted a shop where people are comfortable spending their hard-earned money on their dream cars. And a shop that offers transparent service that guarantees value and peace of mind throughout the entire build process. Armed with his skill and know-how, Wally and Miriam opened Wally’s Speed Shop in September of 2016. Now, they’re the most valuable resource in Northern Colorado for custom, classic and muscle cars and trucks.
Originally from Arlington, Texas, Wally and Miriam met their senior year of high school in economics class. She asked him to prom and the rest is history. They have now been married for nearly 20 years and have three boys—18, 16, and 10. One of the things that Wally is most proud of is the strength of their marriage and his family. They moved to Loveland from Texas when their oldest was just 6 months old, drawn in by the open space, the small town feel, and the close proximity to the mountains. They have been growing and thriving here ever since.
When it comes to Wally's, it’s the culture and mentality that truly sets it apart from any other. Operating from the idea of Kaizen, a Japanese business philosophy that focuses on continuous improvement, at Wally’s they are continually improving and streamlining their processes. From vehicles to storage, billing, and inventory - everything is in a constant state of improvement.
Their overall culture is something that they’re continually working on and improving as well. Ultimately, it revolves around good communication, active listening, respect, and collaboration.
“We understand and respect that our customers are trusting us with a dream and we honor that trust with an excellent finished product.”
The collaboration piece is a large part of the culture. The team understands that they are bringing the breadth and width of their experience to every project, and it’s through collaboration that they are able to create amazing work. Process-oriented and creatively driven, they are able to transfer the details from the customer’s imagination to the planning phase to the finished product and they enjoy the process from beginning to end and from bumper to bumper.
“We’re the custodians of these vehicles. There’s a legacy that comes with each project and we do our absolute best to maintain our customer’s vision or restore what they remember or used to love about the car.” Wally goes on to explain, “My favorite part is meeting the customer and seeing the passion that they have for their project and then seeing their face when they see their dream come to fruition and seeing the value that they receive from us. A lot more tears than you think shed on both sides.”
To learn more about Wally’s Speed Shop and check out some of their favorite projects, visit them online at www.wallysspeed.com.
“We exist to make your dream car a reality. To take your passion and turn it into a functional, drivable car. We want our cars to be driven. A lot.”
“There’s a legacy that comes with each project. We do our absolute best to maintain our customer’s vision or restore what they remember or used to love about the car.”