In photos: Inside RM Auto Restoration, the unmissable event for collectors
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Upon entering the RM store in Blenheim, Ontario. is the equivalent of peeking into Santa’s workshop, but for the price of gifts. Wealthy collectors trust only a few shops with their rough diamonds: a full restoration can range from $ 100,000 to $ 1 million and take one to two years. RM is the only one with five best vehicles unmatched at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the largest event of its kind, in Monterey, Calif., Since 2001.
A near-completed Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing in the RM Auto Restoration workshop near Chatham, Ontario. RM had an unmatched number of five best-in-show vehicles at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
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Cars in various states of restoration are found in the workshop at the RM Auto Restoration plant near Chatham, Ontario on Wednesday April 8, 2015.
GEOFF ROBINS / The Globe and Mail
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Vlad Nesic works on the upholstery of a vintage automobile that is being restored at the RM Auto Restoration workshop near Chatham, Ontario. Wednesday April 8, 2015.
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Nancy Richards details a car that was restored by RM Auto Restoration at its plant near Chatham, Ontario on Wednesday April 8, 2015.
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Stacey Bilton sandpaper the fenders of a Bugatti for polishing in the RM Auto Restoration paint shop near Chatham, Ont. On Wednesday April 8, 2015.
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The sandbags mimic the weight of the engine block of a car being restored by RM Auto Restoration at their facility near Chatham, Ont. On Wednesday April 8, 2015.
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Stacey Bilton walks through the RM Auto Restoration paint booth near Chatham, Ontario on Wednesday April 8, 2015.
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Al Sterling works on the instrument cluster of a 1935 Auburn at RM Auto Restoration near Chatham, Ont., Wednesday April 8, 2015.
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General Manager Mario Van Raay stands beside a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing which is being restored by RM Auto Restoration at its facility near Chatham, Ont. On Wednesday April 8, 2015.
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Paul Garant is working on select upholstery fabrics at RM Auto Restoration in Chatham, Ontario on Wednesday April 8, 2015.
GEOFF ROBINS / The Globe and Mail
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Vlad Nesic works on the upholstery of a vintage automobile that is being restored at the RM Auto Restoration workshop near Chatham, Ontario. Wednesday April 8, 2015.
GEOFF ROBINS / The Globe and Mail
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A near-completed Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing sits in the RM Auto Restoration workshop near Chatham, Ontario on Wednesday April 8, 2015.
GEOFF ROBINS / The Globe and Mail
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Shop foreman Ernie Morreau, left, and quality control manager Don McLellan discuss progress on a customer’s Bugatti at RM Auto Restoration facilities near Chatham, Ont., Wednesday April 8 2015.
GEOFF ROBINS / The Globe and Mail
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The chassis of a Mercedes-Benz 300SL awaits refurbishment at RM Auto Restoration near Chatham, Ontario on Wednesday April 8, 2015.
GEOFF ROBINS / The Globe and Mail
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RM Auto Restoration staff share a laugh during a break at the company’s facilities near Chatham, Ont. On Wednesday April 8, 2015.
GEOFF ROBINS / The Globe and Mail
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