“Whatever the customer wants,” said Chuck Gollahon, 76, older brother of the late Ray Gollahon, who started Brookville Roadster in 1972, initially making patch parts for the popular Ford models.
“We’ve got some people who want everything original. We’ve got others who want bigger truck beds in the back of the trucks, or don’t want the Ford name stamped on.”
Chuck, who came to the Dayton area with his family from Virginia in the early 1950s, works as a salesman for the company, now run by Ray’s son, Ken.
The company, which began building complete cars in 1980, will be holding its second annual Brookville Roadster Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 14 at the company’s main plant, 718 Albert Road.
Admission is free, but those wishing to register a car for prizes will be charged $10.
There also will be food available; alcohol will not be allowed. All proceeds will benefit a new Ray Gollahon Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Ray Gollahon, originally a sheet metal worker, began his business in 1972 to support his car hobby. He made sheet metal parts to restore his car.
At a swap meet, he and wife, Donna, sold out all their patch panels and components the first day.
The company began producing 1928-29 Model A roadsters and the same year roadster pick-up in 1982, eventually adding the 1930-31 versions.
Brookville Roadster employs about 40 people, according to Chuck Gollahon, and has three large buildings on Albert Road, just north of Westbrook.
Full cars can cost between $80,000 and $100,000 and the company carries a full supply of patch parts, from fenders to tail lights.
“There is a big demand,” Chuck said. “And we’ll put any kind of engine in you want, from a Ford to a Hemi or Chevy.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2157 or mkatz@DaytonDaily
News.com.
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