George Barris also played a major role in Paul Sr.’s Cruize- in pump up. The late auto customizer of Hollywood fame – who designed and built franchise mainstays like the original Batmobile in the 1960s and Mike Knight’s ride, KITT, from 1982’s Knight Rider – made his mark on Paul Sr., figuratively and literally. “His advice was so inspirational,” Paul Sr. remembers. “At the very first Cruize-in Nicole and I attended, George took the time to listen to us outline our vision before it was a reality. He encouraged us and gave us the confidence to open C.A.R.S. At last year’s show, he did a one of a kind signature on my right forearm in Sharpie and I as a tribute I’ve had it tattooed. It’s an honour to have and a great way to remember this great man who pushed us in so many ways.” “When you send people away happy, they send another 10 our way. Good words travel fast.” What Paul Sr. has since built has been a labour of love. “From the onset, Nicole and I knew the only way we could operate a restoration shop and expect it to grow would be to focus on values that deliver. We looked at it like this: Our young family is going to count on this business; our employees’ families will rely on this business; and many families who own classic cars or trucks will also rely on us. We figured if we’re so family-driven, why not hold family values.” It did not take long for the Taylor’s family-fueled business plan to bear fruit. “Before completing our first year, we found ourselves in need for a more suitable facility. We needed a place where we could expand our services and branch out to even more clients. Thankfully we weren’t in the commercial real estate hunt for long. It took only a few days to find our current location in Shelburne – a former Ford dealership, actually – and we couldn’t be happier. It’s en route to Cottage Country. Blue Mountain and Owen
Sound are both about an hour from us and these destina- tions bring past us about one million cars every summer alone. We’ve gone from one or two drop-ins per week to at-least 10 per day at the current location.” “Growth often comes with unexpected changes,” Taylor reflects. “And it’s not always a smooth transition for everyone. We get people in management and on the floor who find it difficult keeping up with the pace and these are talented craftsmen. So we’ve had to do a lot of moving people around to get to the zone we’re in now. Our new Shop Manager, Jack D’Innocenzo, actually trained me for my first position managing another restoration shop. He’s been in the game a long time. Under experienced man- agement, we’re running like a well-tuned engine.” Having friends in high places like Plunkett and D’Innocen- zo is not a boon lost on Paul Sr. “It has definitely had its benefits along the way,” he explains. Mr. Rob McLeese is another of Paul Sr.’s Sherpas. McLeese is the CEO and co-founder of the Cobble Beach Golf Club Resort Com- munity in Kemble, Ontario on the picturesque Georgian Bay who alongside his father, Mr. Willis McLeese, envi-
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