Automotive museum assists camp
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member T0SHEA
N 49° 36.760 W 119° 40.358
11U E 306936 N 5498997
Another of those "Gearhead Heavens", Nixdorf Classic Cars always has at least 70 classic and vintage vehicles on hand in the showroom, with another 30 or so undergoing restoration or awaiting their turn in the rotation.
Waymark Code: WMVPDF
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 05/14/2017
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member DnRseekers
Views: 0

Nixdorf Classic Cars advertises themselves as being both a vintage car museum and a dealership. That seems a pretty accurate description as we saw possibly 30 out of the collection of 100 that were for sale. The showroom is capable of housing about 70 vehicles, while shops out back house the remainder of the collection.

Congenital collectors, the owners are always on the hunt for additions to the collection, selling what they consider less desirable vehicles to make room for the new acquisitions. The front window holds advertisements for a couple of dozen vehicles while, in the showroom, one will find several "For Sale" signs.

Garnet Nixdorf, the owner of Nixdorf Classic Cars, certainly hasn't forgotten his duty to his community as he has a mission - that is to help children with disabilities. He now donates the profits from the company to various causes which help children with disabilities.

Nearly as admirable, in 2016 the Summerland Review brought attention to Mr. Nixdorf and his charitable activities with a news story on the many and his company. Hopefully it will bring in more visitors, increase profits and donations. Excerpts can be read below.

Automotive museum assists camp

KEITH DIXON - Wed Sep 28th, 2016 6:00pm

Garnet Nixdorf, founder of Nixdorf Classic Cars in Summerland, says that in his shop they turn rust to riches.

But there is more to the story than just the restoration of old cars. Nixdorf had a dream when he started his business 11 years ago. Though his passion was cars, his mission was to help children who have disabilities. It started with a buddy from Winnipeg who was disabled. He took this friend along when he went fishing. He saw the challenges the boy faced and also noticed the things that could make his life easier.

Most of those things cost money. So he decided to dedicate the profits from his company to organizations that helped children with disabilities. Agur Lake Camp, with an office in Summerland and a totally accessible camp at Agur Lake, caught his attention, and, for a start, he decided to channel his profits in that direction. The museum has donated five thousand dollars to ALC.

Setting up a classic car museum involved some strategic decisions.

Nixdorf was living in Vancouver when he bought his first cars. In the coastal climate, he found the humidity grew rust as fast as he could remove it. He eyed the dry Okanagan climate and decided to buy an empty Quonset building in Summerland.

He was determined to do restoration work that returned a car to the showroom standards of the day it was manufactured. He does not modify or “soup up” cars. He restores them totally, right down to the colour and quality of the original paint.

He is firm on that point and is scornful of what he calls “Mickey Mouse” restoration work which does not meet that exacting standard...

...Those who do come in for the tour leave saying that it was well worth the admission fee. Kyluik guarantees a full refund to any visitor who feels the tour is not worth the admission fee.

He said he has never been asked for a refund.

Though “Rust to Riches” may be a fitting motto for the museum, there is no wealth other than the 86 restored cars, and the satisfaction Nixdorf and his staff and volunteers get from pursuing their passion to restore classic cars.

Nixdorf is 83 years old and still coming to work every day. In addition he is putting his savings into boosting business so there will be profits he can share with organizations who are helping children with disabilities live fulfilling lives.

It will be time to retire, Nixdorf believes, when riches earned from banishing rust let him write substantial cheques to organizations like Agur Lake Camp.

When that happens his passion and his dream will have joined hands.
From the Summerland Review
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Type of publication: Newspaper

When was the article reported?: 09/28/2016

Publication: Summerland Review

Article Url: [Web Link]

Is Registration Required?: no

How widespread was the article reported?: local

News Category: Society/People

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