Coming to America: Czech hot-rodders find their place in the sun

[Hagerty]

At 7:00 a.m. on a Saturday, in an industrial Southern California suburb a stone's throw from Disneyland, the guttural rumble of a straight-eight thundered ever closer. Stanley Chavik arrived with the squeal of cross-ply tires, climbed out of his replica 1933 Buick Shafer 8 looking like a Viking headed to battle, then cracked a broad, gap-toothed smile.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/coming-to-america-czech-hot-rodders-find-their-place...

[hyperv6]

Europe is chalked full of skilled metal fabricators. Many are just not in a good environment to use them to build cars like these.

The crude ways of the East are now the true craftsman and artist of today.

[CitationMan]

Welcome home, Chaviks!

[Tinkerah]

So inspiring to see newcomers prosper on their own skills and work ethic. The Chaviks are more "American" than many who were born here.

[Retrorider]

Amen to that!

[timb0]

How about a full story on that stunning black '32?

[TransAm-forever]

Looks more like a black cherry but I agree - let's see the story on it.

[Charlie]

GOOD FOR THEM 11

[OldFordMan]

FABULOUS!

[FloridaMarty]

A story like this make me proud to be an American, especially right now. Welcome to the USA my friends.

[1stGenCamaros]

Love this story! Absolutely fascinated at the skill Stanley exhibits. This family had the desire and drive to make their dreams come true in America, and they did it right. Building a life for themselves
doing what they love while also building a future for their son. Hats off to the Chaviks!!! Best wishes!!!

[Hueco]

Saw an article in Octane about them. He built this beautiful Shaffer 8 which is stunning. You can go online to Octane and see the article. I have called and emailed and DAisy is great. Sent me two shirts, not asking for payment. And they were two day delivery to Florida! I sent something back for Christmas for their son. They are amazing people and getting really well known in California. The shop is only a coule of miles from Disneyland and less to the football staduim. Great people.A plus to the country.

[okfoz]

Great story,

That Candy apple red is gorgeous.

[SAG]

Mr Foose
likes to use others talent
for his 'credit'.

[limoguy]

Oh, stop. What's the point?

[ctclark99]

Gee, did I miss the Shafer 8?

[RJ]

Exactly the kind of immigrants we need. Welcome!

[Huntz-Hall]

Great story & a great success story for a wonderful family.
Please Hagerty run a full story on the Shafer 8 Buick with many pictures.
I'm sure all of the Hagerty members would love seeing it.
We'll be waiting.

[Gary_Bechtold]

I'd say come to Texas before California disapproves of your customizations. I love hard workers who are creative.

[MrBill-1943]

Why is it that those from outside America see all of the possibilities yet many of those born here see nothing but negatives? His quote of "Here, opportunity is for everyone" is why my parents came to America from Czechoslovakia in 1938 and brought up four successful children two of which served, including this Gear Head, who in turn added six more then 2 more great grandchildren all who are successful, contribute and believe in our great country. In these time of strife and disagreement and negative feelings about our history and flag a story like this makes reading Hagerty stories a pleasure. Thank you.

[Geok86]

Those from outside America realize how great freedom is…unfortunately a good deal of “Americans” think that government “providing” for them, aka Socialism, is better…SAD!!

[Gary_Bechtold]

I agree.  My immigrant friends from Nigeria and Venezuela seem to get it better than so many people born here who take it for granted. 

[Alimey007]

Stanley is working on my TR4A IRS, he is a perfectionist and craftsman. Great guy to work with, certainly recommend him to anyone with a desire for top notch work on your classic, custom, or hot Rod.

[Hacksaw]

Great article. Great family, great cor builder.

[Hacksaw]

Cor is foreign for car, or a typo.

[Sajeev]

If it's a typo, here's how you edit your posts here: https://community.hagerty.com/t5/community-help-and-guidelines/community-help-how-do-i-edit-my-post/...