“Our clients come from all over the U.S.-- and as far as the Virgin Islands,” says Henry County resident and business owner Mark Engel, who started Atlanta Auto Restoration in Hampton, Georgia 11 years ago. After two years of conversation about the meticulous process he and his staff of eight go through to restore a car, that client shipped his car.

Many of his clients have become friends and allow him to use their vehicles for car shows. He has done maintenance on a collection of 30 vehicles for one owner.

Engel believes that his process of entirely disassembling a car makes Atlanta Auto Restoration unique. Since the late 1980’s when he attended Northern Kentucky Vocational Technical School in Covington, Kentucky, he has honed his skills and worked toward a dream— owning his own auto restoration shop.He worked for other people, including an antique auto shop as an automotive painter and Delta Airlines restoring airplanes.He restored Corvettes part-time.

With plans for further growth of the company, Engel is eyeing a location in Newnan or Locust Grove in the near future. In his spare time, he enjoys classic cars, especially Corvettes, as well as aviation and history. Recently he added a 2400 sq ft sheet metal installation center to his current location.

His most interesting restorations have been a 937 Packard and a 1969 Z28 Camaro.

Mark is very active in the Georgia Street Rod Association and supports such causes as Hot Rodders of Tomorrow and the March of Dimes.