Bringing vintage cars back to life

Just like most young boys, Alfred Perez enjoyed playing toy cars and automobile games in his childhood years. While most outgrow this childhood fascination, his enthusiasm for cars transcended age and time, eventually becoming his ticket to success.

Now on his late 30s, Perez turned this fascination into reality as he manages Alfred’s Motor Works, an automobile shop known for reviving vintage cars back to life, located at the corner of Kamuning Road and 11th Jamboree Street in Quezon City.

The display of classic cars turned his shop into a virtual tourist attraction at the heart of the metro. Among the automobile memorabilia featured in his shop are vintage Beetles, pre-war pick-ups, and pre-martial law Chevrolets and Ford Mustangs. Wheel rims and pedal toy cars serve as wall ornaments of his shop, adding up to its classic touch.

As he turns his passion into his profession, Perez serves as a living testimony that success comes to those who pursue and nurture their real interest.

Childhood influence

Perez’s enthusiasm for cars started when he was a child. The automobile repair shop owned by his father served as his play ground where he played toy cars in between real ones. As he assisted his father in repairing the vehicles of their clients, Perez realized it was exactly what he wanted to do in life.

“I was my dad’s little sidekick in our business. That is where I got his car instincts,” Perez said. “I came to love cars in a very natural way.”

After finishing high school from Angelicum College, he entered the University and pursued a degree in Commerce. He knew almost everything about automobiles, but decided to take a business degree in preparation for his future plans.

“I actually did not want to go to college anymore, but my dad said education is one of the best things you can be proud of,” Perez added.

Immediately after graduation in 1993, he established his own automobile shop.

“The first people who helped me were my dad’s co-workers,” he said. “At the age of 20, I started my own shop with the aid of my father who taught me the ins and outs of the business, as well as how to deal with people.”

Continuing the legacy started by his father, most of the crew in his car shop have already been rendering long years of service to their family. Some were even the grandchildren of his father’s staff who helped them in continuing their rich heritage in reviving vintage automobiles.

“This is not actually a dream come true because I know it will come true even when I was still a kid,” he said. “I knew that this is where I should be. I am exactly where I am supposed to be.”

At present, his automobile shop serves as Perez’s second home where he learned to nurture professionalism while fulfilling his passion.

“I guess it was not until recently that I made up a name for myself. People who may have forgotten me came to know me again and visited my car shop,” Perez said.

Vintage ideas

In this business, Perez buys old cars and tweaks it in his own unique way. He then sells his works to car enthusiast. He also accepts repairing and restoration jobs from owners of vintage automobiles.

Restoring vintage cars as early as those made in the early 1900s may be a tough job but this was made possible by Perez, who gives service to car enthusiasts not just because of the income he gets, but because of his passion in transforming such classic artifacts into a form of modern art.

“The oldest car I worked on was the 1917 White truck I was able to acquire 5 years ago,” Perez said. “The car was bought by Jinkee Pacquiao’s close friend, Sarah Manilay, who said she will include it in her own vintage collection.”

According to Perez, a full car restoration can cost from 500,000 pesos to several millions, adding that the work can be finished 8 months at the least to a couple of years.

“Upon acquisition of the car, we have to dismantle everything—piece by piece—then start the restoration process,” he said.

Among his celebrity clients were Pampanga representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s lawyer Ferdinand Topacio; Manny Pacquiao’s manager Eric Pineda; actors Romnick Sarmienta, Ricky Davao, Jackie Lou Blanco, Mon Confiado, Mark Herras, and Maverick Relova; and Pier One owner Fernando Juan.

He was also commissioned by the government to restore historical cars used by former presidents like Manuel Quezon’s 1937 Giesler, Jose Laurel’s 1947 Packard, Elpidio Quirino’s 1953 Chrysler Imperial, as well as Manuel Roxas and American general Douglas MacArthur’s Cadillacs.

Being a car enthusiast himself, Perez treats the 1948 Buick convertible as his favorite among all of the vintage cars he has worked on.

Whenever spare parts are hard to find, he and his co-workers make an alternative by tweaking electrical wirings and engines.

He also allows renting of the vintage cars for commercials, movies, and photo shoots. The latest Metro Manila Film Festival Best Picture, Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story, made use of his vintage car collection. The movie was set in the early 1950s.

Unwavering enthusiasm

With 19 years in the business, Perez’s unwavering passion for automobiles contributes to his success.

He was featured in different magazines such as Car Crazy, People Asia, and Top Gear, as well as in the local newspapers like the Manila Bulletin and Philippine Daily Inquirer.

He also joins several car shows such as The Transport Show, Manila Auto Salon, and Concours d’Elegance where he wins top-notch awards.

He treats his Chevrolet endorsement with celebrities as his greatest achievement to date.

Despite the great demands of his business, Perez never thought of quitting and giving up his shop.

“Sometimes I wish that cars can talk,” he said. “If you bring someone to a doctor, he can answer for himself whatever is asked, but if you bring a car to a shop, you can neither ask the car how it feels nor does it feel better after some changes have been made.”

A father of five, Perez sees his children having the same enthusiasm over cars.

Despite the achievements and recognitions under his belt, Perez recognizes the long way he would still tread as a car enthusiast. For him, turning passion into one’s profession could bring the greatest joy and satisfaction to a person.

“I think everyone should do what they want,” he said. “Doing your profession and passion can mean the same thing.”