Meet The Team

FOUNDER

Owner, Eric Blandford, has grown up with cars as his grandfather owned a car lot and he started working on cars pre-1980. As he was driving at age 10, he has always had a love for old cars, definitely old cars!. His Uncle had a variety of cars VW Bugs, BMW Isetta’s and worked on an Amphicar. This lead Eric to Automotive Tech School and a Ford Motor program at Columbus State. He has spent many years working at Chevrolet Dealers, Ford Dealers and Honda. Six years ago, his passion lead him to start HWC Automotive. Eric has earned the trust of his customer base as he picks up their Lamborghini (or Audi or Aston Martin), brings it in for service, and returns it home.

Lead Technician

The lead Technician Doug has 49 years of a variety of automobile and transportation experience. Serving on a pit crew at age 12 lead him to the top student at Ellet High in the School for Diesel mechanics. He has spent time as a recovery specialist and a mechanic and welder, working on wheeled and tracked vehicles. He restoration capabilities have taken him from bicycles to Army Tanks. He has award winning vehicles on display at The National Truck Transportation Museum, Military -MVPA Golden Award, Autorama and many trophies and placards from his dedication to the restoration business. He has a special love for the Volkswagen Beetle and that family of cars. This is especially unique as HWC strives to be the Old Bug Specialist on the East Coast. Not all old VW restoration happens in California. “I speak fluent carburetor and points” he says and is a perfectionist at every phase of restoration.

Business Partner & Customer

Business Associate and customer Mr. Phil McLean became acquainted with HWC in 2019 over conversation about a 1965 VW Beetle. Mr. McLean has a unique background as he spent 20 years in Medical Diagnostic manufacturing, has also served 45 years in the Ohio Fire Service holding every rank from basic firefighter to Chief when he retired in 2021. He Is the owner of Sensible Products, a manufacturer of mounting systems and brackets to mount tools and equipment in Fire Apparatus. Sensible Products is a leader in this field celebrating 35 years. This garage start business has over 200 distributors in 45 states and his team outfits and organizes Fire Trucks in their Richfield based facility. His hobbies are sharing his entrepreneurial experience to help other small business and continue establishing his collection of old Fire Trucks, cars and especially VW Beetles.