ORANGE — It took Norman Sargent some time to create a name, concept and brand for his business.
Sargent said he finally chose Grave Robbers Auto Restoration at 8 West Main St., “Where we bring them back from the dead.”
That’s exactly what Sargent does. He said he rescues cars that have been discarded in backyards or forgotten and half-buried in fields. He then takes them apart and, piece-by-piece, restores them to their former glory.
“I’m motivated by the cars — seeing projects come to life,” said Sargent. “The cars we pull from swamps, fields, barns — these are always challenging.”
His brand features a gravestone and full graveyard on larger banners. He credits Amber Robideau at Orange Graphics and D&G Custom Graphics of Fitchburg, who created the eye-catching T-Shirts and custom decals.
Sargent said he offers full-service mechanical repairs, specializing in the preservation of classic and muscle cars, suspension work, panel replacement, welding and fabrication, complete interior work and rust repair.
With 1970s and ’80s music playing in the background, a look around the hollowed-out former gas station and convenience store finds cars in various states of repair.
Sunlight filtering through the large plate-glass windows highlight the shell of a 1988 Monte Carlo SS that sits on blocks. Its engine, wheels, tires and seats are in other parts of the room, while the body work is being completed and prepped for paint. Cars in various states of repair are visible in the two bays on the other side of the building, and some are lined up outside around the perimeter of the building.
Sargent does the restoration work on customers’ cars himself, but admits sometimes there are things he cannot do alone, so he enlists the assistance of his three sons, Cody, 17; Dakota, 19; and Cole, 23.
Sargent, born in Leominster, is a certified welder by trade. He used to travel 285 days out of the year from home. But his heart was always in restoring cars, he said.
As an 8-year-old, Sargent was influenced by his stepfather, mechanic Franklin Robinson Jr., and fondly recalls a 1967 Mustang Fastback that he owned.
“It was the turning point,” said Sargent. “I was addicted, but it was a healthy addiction. We always had hot rods and cars in the yard. I enjoy working on cars, building them, seeing the people’s reactions to the finished product.”
Pointing to a time-worn photo of his dad on his desk, he said “he was my biggest inspiration — he had the values of John Wayne, and was cool like Waylon Jennings. He was always hunched over a car.”
He said his dad was a Mustang guy, but “I was a Chevy guy. He helped me put together a 1975 Chevy El Camino.”
In addition to his dad, two other people were instrumental in his life, including Mike Robichaud, who owned a body shop in Fitchburg.
“He was a super, super talented guy,” said Sargent. “He taught me so much about how to paint and do body work.”
The other inspiration is Mark McCartney, his former brother-in-law, who he called “the most talented, gifted bodywork painter.”
Sargent quit his welding job to learn body work at Twin City Welding & Repair, working toward having his own restoration shop. He owned a small shop in Phillipston. He would send parts to be sandblasted at one place, and another business would do the painting. After a couple years, he said, he looked for a space where he could have everything under one roof. He found the former gas station property in Orange, which had been closed for 13 years. So he moved in, cleaned it up and opened shop.
“I drained my 401K and threw it all here,” he said. “And everything fell into place. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Last summer, “Castle Rock” producers stopped in to see if they could get a car fixed and, Sargent said, “They ended up putting in old gas pumps out front and using it in a lot of the scenes. The town liaison Alex Barrod and I became good friends.”
Sargent gave the “Castle Rock” people Grave Robbers T-shirts and decals.
Sargent said he quickly discovered there is a “huge car culture in this area — Carb’s Hot Rod Club, the Quabbin Cruisers, Wilson-Steely in Athol.”
Grave Robbers sponsors an award at the Cruisers’ Wednesday night car shows at Market Basket, as well as awards for the Orange Celebrate the Harvest car show in September and the Athol Lions Club’s car show in May.
“There is a tight-knit group that follows this stuff around in the area,” he said. “They eat, sleep and breathe this stuff. I have met a lot of great people.”
At a recent car show, a vehicle wouldn’t start, so, he said, “I got under the hood and got it started. These people are like family to me — it’s not about the money.”
Sargent said that while his vision was to work on classic and muscle cars from the 1950s to late 1980s, “I don’t turn much away.”
He said he repairs vehicles of all makes and models. “I understand the struggle,” he said. “I try to work with people’s budgets on repairs.”
The shop is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Last year, Sargent had three days off, but says he plans to take a vacation this year.
Sargent’s “dream car” is a 1969 Dodge Super Bee.
“I have to buy one,” he said. “That car is ‘IT’ for me.”
He is an avid fan of NASCAR, Dale Ernhardt and now, Kevin Hartwell, and he said he enjoys Funny Cars under the Stars at the New England Dragway, and sponsors Dan McLean’s car at the Monadnock Speedway.
“I don’t want to do anything else for the rest of my life.” he said “I even get to drive these cars when they’re done — and I make lifelong friends.”
Sargent offers free pickup and delivery. He can be reached at 978-894-6299.