Company Profile - SLR Automotive Restoration

SLR Automotive Restoration

Founded originally in Massachusetts in the 1980s, SLR Automotive Restorations started out specializing in Mercedes-Benz. In particular, their work with Mercedes-Benz 190 SLs garnered the now North Carolina-based shop numerous Best of Show and class victories in Mercedes-Benz national meets. Current owner Bjorn Nordemo says he purchased SLR in 1996 because, “I had just retired, was too young to sit around, did not play golf and loved automobiles.”

As their reputation grew within the Mercedes community, it also began to spread among enthusiasts in other marques. Soon, Bjorn and his staff found themselves restoring a wide variety of classics and exotics. According to Nordemo, “In the past 12 years we have expanded our scope of work to include all Mercedes from the ’40s to the ’70s, as well as Ferraris, Jaguars, Aston Martins, Shelby Cobras and GTs, Corvettes, AMXs, Packards and others. We do full restorations, partial restorations and also preservations, which happen to be much more difficult due to the fact that no one should know you have been there working on something.”

Now based in a 16,500-sq.ft. purpose-built facility in North Carolina, SLR employs six craftsmen who provide the full spectrum of restoration services. With in-house specialists in coachbuilding, woodwork, metal fabrication and paintwork, the only items that SLR sends out of house are engine machining and chrome.

The proof of SLR’s expanded reach can be found in the more than 20 national concours awards they have garnered, including an Aston Martin that tied for 1st place in class at Pebble Beach in 2007, as well as a Best of Show and first in class in the Southwest Regional Ferrari meet.