Category: Blog

COVID-19 has created challenges for all small businesses around the country, and Roadster Salon has not been immune to multiple outbreaks of the virus and mandated closures. Since the virus first appeared in February 2020, it quickly became apparent that our previous facility in Barrington Illinois was not properly set up to keep our technicians safe. It was simply too small to properly social distance, and in spite of our best efforts and an abundance of caution, we concluded the arrangement was unworkable.

Last Fall we began our search for a new home that could better accommodate our growing business and protect our staff. We concluded that it would be best to separate our shop from our offices, showroom, and storage. This search ended in November 2020, when we began our move. We now have three buildings rather than one, which will hopefully provide us the flexibility needed for future growth and efficiency.

Our administrative offices and showroom are open to the public by appointment and located at 4170 Winnetka Ave in Rolling Meadows Illinois. Service drop-off and shuttle service to our repair/restoration building are offered between our office and Palatine facility.

While Roadster Salon is renown for our restored and modified Fiat Spider product line, we still have a warm place in our hearts for the late 1960’s Alfa Romeo Duetto. Collectors are most interested in the 1967-68 version pictured, which feature dual Webber carburetors and sensational 1600cc engine. It is the definitive version of the car, and most highly regarded. Currently Roadster Salon has two additional vintage Duetto projects from 1967 in our inventory—both featured in Pininfarina red. One is actually available for a future customer project.

The featured car has only 70K original miles, and was partially refurbished at our shop. It arrived in excellent condition, requiring only minor chassis work and interior cosmetics. The lucky local owner plans to take the car to a concours level in the coming year while working from home during the pandemic.

Due to the size of our building and inability to safely social distance, we are planning to separate the production facility, corporate office/showroom and storage. This will allow us to keep our staff safer during the pandemic. Three new locations are anticipated. Watch this space for more information.

At this point, I am sure most of you have been touched personally by the COVID-19 outbreak. Unless you live in one of the few states with minimal exposure, you are probably sheltering in place like we are here in Chicago. We hope you are all taking advantage of this time home alone with your families, looking forward to when we can return to life as we remember.

While I wish the restoration business was considered to be essential, unfortunately Roadster Salon has been shuttered just like most small businesses. Obviously, the timing of this closure could not be worse, considering how heavily Roadster Salon depends upon our Spring and Summer market. Consequently, our delivery commitments have all been pushed back indefinitely. Regardless of when the all clear to return is finally given, it will be many months before our high-risk staffers feel comfortable enough to resume their full time schedules, and supply chains are replenished. It is simply too soon to make any determinations about future delivery dates, other than to say we will do our best. The quality of Roadster Salon projects will never be compromised, so we ask for your patience and support during these unprecedented events.

Our management team has been working from home, and planning for the future. Our interest in the electrification of several spider models is undeterred. We have been looking into ways to further develop this technology, by improving performance and expanding range. Roadster Salon is also hoping to offer our customers a third, more affordable all-electric spider in the years to come. We had planned to begin deliveries of our Spider America EV and EV Junior late this Summer or early Fall. However, with our development partners sharing the same predicament we face here in Chicago, that time line has been pushed back. We will also need to see the economy re-opened before we begin scaling production.

On a positive note, driving a classic car in nice weather is still one of the activities that you can enjoy with minimal risk. While the pandemic is likely to cause used car values to suffer, the classic car market has traditionally been a safe haven for investors. In volatile market downturns, like in 2001 and 2008, many classic cars prices remained stable. If your purchase is long term you should reasonably expect Roadster Salon Spiders to continue to be fun, reliable, worry free investments. We currently have a handful of previously completed projects and trade-ins available for your immediate purchase this Spring. I can be reached at our normal number (847.769.7880), as shop calls are being forwarded to my cell. Love to chat!

Ray Marchica

Finally! Our 124 Spider 2000 (1983 Pininfarina) has arrived. The word FINALLY is not meant to convey negative connotations, but is an expression of elation for a much-awaited car.

The final delivery of our 124 was delayed by a very harsh and long winter in the Chicago area in 2019, and the impossibility for Roadster Salon to get miles and iron out bugs on a nearly finished car. We have taken the last year to develop our impressions, and share them with your other customers.

We soon began to appreciate that Roadster Salon does not just rebuild cars but they make dreams happen and nothing leaves their facility unless it is perfect. The attention to the smallest detail is second to none. In fact, one may say that Ray Marchica and his team develop a sort of personal attachment to every project, as if this was their own piece of art.

From a customer viewpoint the process to build our car was very straightforward.
We spent some time computer modeling to get a rendering of what the finished car would look like. Then we agreed on the basic specs, colors and interior details and sit back for the final delivery. Later we made a quick visit to Roadster Salon facility towards the end of the build, which we believe was fundamental to meet the team and to iron out cosmetic details. These details that made the difference on the perfection of the final build.

Following the car’s arrival at my son’s house in California, one cannot express but admiration for the quality of the work from the paint, to the wood of the dash panel, the leather interior and to the state-of-the-art instruments. We knew this up front when we saw that the paint job was done by spraying each panel individually after meticulous disassembly– rather than on an assembled car. Every panel was sprayed vertically, so the paint could be the same thickness and the color would be consistent. This is quality workmanship rarely seen.

My son Andrea and I look forward to continue enjoying this Spider in the Los Angeles area, and as I live in Switzerland, I am already thinking of another one to take back to Europe. (Need to get approval from my wife though!!) The driving experience has been wonderful.

One last comment: I am sure there are many places that can rebuild a FIAT 124, but if one wants a true work of art car with meticulous attention to detail, then I believe Roadster Salon is the place to go. To the next one.

Roberto and Andrea Dionisio, April 2020

Roadster Salon will be making a major announcement through all media outlets at the end of the Summer. This dramatic news involves production plans for the first Spider built by Roadster Salon from the ground up with its own proprietary driveline and special features. There have been many rumors about these plans and this new direction. All we can say at this time is that it will be a radical departure from anything we have produced in the past, and will break new ground in terms of performance and overall driving experience. Stay tuned.

Unbelievably two April record snow storms in Chicago delayed our shipment on several occasions to one of the most patient and appreciative customers we have ever worked with. We will update you in his own words when the car arrives in Manhattan Beach. An incredible car for an even more incredible customer!

Every business has ways to cut corners. Car restorers are no different. Using cheap labor and materials are just one way to save money. Skip a step. Don’t check your work multiple times. Maybe don’t check it at all. Sacrifice long term durability for quick fixes. And if it takes too long, add it to the bill.

The best shops accept the fact that you can’t in good conscience charge a customer for your problems when things go wrong. In this business, slow and steady wins the race. You can either build your brand slowly with tight margins and be fair to everyone–or go in for the kill and be gone in a few years. The choice is clear.

This philosophy applies in every aspect of what we do. From mechanical work, crafting interiors, to pain refinishing. This means hundreds of man hours, and many months of sweating the most minute details.

No this is not an April fool’s joke. Over the past week, our team finally got enough of a break in the weather to get some miles logged on our most anticipated creation in recent years. It has been frustrating for everyone here at the Salon to look at this sweetheart and not be able to drive it on the road. You can only have so much fun revving the engine in our garage.

The Dioniso project was created digitally as a fully realized concept prior to production. Although some subtle changes were made along the way (no hood scoop or side vents) the car is faithful to its rendering in every other detail. Weather permitting, we will be shipping this amazing spider very soon. Stay tuned.

When you get a call on an extremely rare, rust free California Alfa GTV you listen. You also have no one to blame but yourself if you don’t look the car over thoroughly before buying it. Just like a novice private party, we bought this lovely GTV on the advice of another dealer and some well-staged photos. Based on our purchase price, we expected the car to be showroom ready. When it arrived at Roadster Salon, our hearts sank.

While the car did run well as described, the photos we examined told a different story from what we saw in person. Why on earth would a customer—or dealer for that matter paint a $60,000 car with the skill set of a fifth grader. Runs, drips, fish-eyes and orange peel were in almost unlimited supply. Waves and misaligned body panels took center stage. And it wasn’t just the paint. We were also treated to mismatched tires, shoddy bright work, and worn out carpets (hidden by new floor mats) at no charge.

In spite of the weather, we have actually accomplished quite a bit with the garage doors closed. Winter’s grip has us in a strangle hold, but we’re hanging in there. Lot’s to get accomplished before next summer. We currently have three Alfa Romeo 1967-68 Duetto projects in process. The first of these will be ready to leave as soon as the weather breaks and we can get a transport truck in the driveway.

Another year-long project, this traditional restoration was done to the highest standard for a customer in Ohio. Every detail down to the signed engine plate and personalized Roadster Salon build tag makes this car a show stopper.

Material quality, panel fit, wiring and undercarriage detailing are all far superior to the original car. This near six-figure project is one of our nicest restorations to date. An amazing achievement to be enjoyed reliably for many years to come. We wish this Alfa buona fortuna in its new home!

We will keep you up to date on the other two Duetto builds. One has personalized modifications including a custom air conditioning system. It’s shipping to Florida. The other looks like the twin of the Ohio car, and is just getting started. Headed for Texas, the plan is to keep her the original orange-red.