Master of Metal - Aussie Panel Beater in New Zealand: Classic Restos-Series 57

This episode features Andrew, an Australian seeking peace and tranquillity in a rural community southwest of Auckland, New Zealand. In 2008, he and his family left Australia for a less hectic lifestyle, escaping urban life's relentless hustle and bustle. The move with his wife and two children to a remote backwater in New Zealand was an easy choice. The location has remained unchanged for over a century, a quality they greatly appreciate.

Andrew's passion for cars began at an early age, though he had no idea back then that he would eventually become a panel beater. He finds joy in reviving abandoned vehicles and breathing new life into them. After closing his business, Street Neat Panels, in Australia and relocating to New Zealand, he has embraced challenging projects that others had either overlooked or deemed too difficult, often correcting the mistakes made by previous restorers.

Here, life is more straightforward; while Andrew works seven days a week, he does by choice. He doesn't need weekends off to socialise; he'd rather spend time in his workshop. Andrew admits he is easily distracted, with one project often leading him to another unrelated task, so it all takes longer, but that's ok - it's simply how he operates.

After 33 years in a trade he loves, Andrew declares, "I love rust. Too much rust is not enough." His workshop is self-sufficient, with everything he needs and nothing he doesn't. Yet, he recognises that a well-equipped workshop is pointless without the skills to use all the tools effectively. His expertise has made him a sought-after for rebuild projects that demand meticulous attention to detail, and he is committed to doing nothing less than his best work.

He enthusiastically describes some of his current projects, including a Mitsubishi truck he is restoring to its former glory and an HQ Holden Ute that he is painstakingly rebuilding, panel by panel, starting from a bare chassis. There are no shortcuts in Andrew's approach: removing every piece of rust and replacing every panel with precision.

It is a captivating story of a man deeply passionate about his craft, thriving in an environment that perfectly complements his lifestyle.