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Route 66 Auto Repair has been in business on Historic Route 66 in Upland for 35+ years, and classic and older cars are welcome to call. Every classic is different, so call first and we will tell you honestly if it is a fit, based on the car, the job and how parts can be found. When it is a fit, our ASE-certified technicians handle brakes, cooling, running problems and pre-cruise checks with care, and you get a written estimate with an honest parts timeline before work begins.
Why do we ask classic owners to call first?
A 1960s coupe with drum brakes and a carburetor, a 1990s truck with early electronics and a heavily modified hot rod are three very different jobs. A phone call lets us hear what the car is, what has been changed and what it is doing. Then we tell you straight whether we are the right shop for it. If not, you have saved a trip and a tow.
We are a repair shop, not a restoration or show-prep business. Mechanical and cooling work, brakes and drivability are where we can help. Full restorations and show-level detailing are outside what we take on, and we will say so.
Can you work on older cars without a scan port?
Yes, when the job fits. Cars built before on-board diagnostics (OBD-II) became standard in the mid-1990s cannot simply be plugged into a scan tool. That means old-fashioned testing: vacuum and compression readings, timing checks, fuel delivery and pressure tests, and tracing wiring with a meter. It takes patience, and we explain in the estimate how long testing may take before we begin.
What classic car work do owners ask about most?
- Brake work: soft pedals, pulling, leaking wheel cylinders and aged rubber hoses
- Cooling: overheating in summer traffic on Foothill Blvd during cruise nights
- No-start or rough running after months in storage
- Fuel system issues from old fuel and aged lines
- Charging and wiring problems on older harnesses
- A pre-cruise or pre-show look at brakes, tires, belts and leaks
Our process for a classic car
Step 1: Talk it through
Call and describe the car, its history and the concern. We tell you honestly if it is a fit.
Step 2: Bring it in
We note the car's condition at drop-off and handle it with care.
Step 3: Test and source
After the stated diagnostic fee, the technician tests, and we check which parts can be found and how long they take.
Step 4: Estimate with a parts timeline
You get a written estimate that shows every step and the expected parts wait.
Step 5: Repair and road test
Approved work is done and the car is road-tested before you pick it up.
What's included for classic car owners
Included on the work order
- 01A phone conversation about fit before drop-off
- 02Condition noted at drop-off
- 03Manual testing where no scan port exists
- 04Written estimate with an honest parts timeline
- 05Old parts shown when the failed part is the point
- 06Road test after repair
Safe for cruise night or not?
Need now: call
- Brake fluid leaks or a pedal that sinks
- Fuel smell under the hood or a leaking fuel line
- Overheating at idle
Need later: book
- Hardened but uncracked vacuum lines
- Minor oil seeps from an older gasket
- Gauges that read slightly off
How pricing and timing work on an older car
Older cars can take longer to test and parts can take longer to arrive, so we are clear about both before you approve. Price depends on the car, the job and the parts that can be found. AAA members save 10% on parts and labor, up to $75, with the card. We take cards and cash. If a part will take weeks, we tell you and discuss whether the car should wait here or at home.
Aftercare for a car that comes out on weekends
Start and drive the car at least every few weeks, and check for fresh drips before each outing. Read about us on our story, see our brake services and engine services, and read the cooling system services overview before summer cruises.
Videos from the shop
Frequently asked questions
Do you work on classic cars?
Often, but every classic is different. Call first and we will tell you honestly if it is a fit based on the car, the job and parts availability.
Where do you source parts for older vehicles?
We check the suppliers we use for the parts your car needs and tell you how long they will take before you approve. If you supply a part, we inspect it first; labor is charged at book time, and the part itself carries no warranty from us.
Can you look at my classic before a cruise or show?
Yes. Ask for a check of brakes, tires, belts, hoses, cooling and leaks, and book it early enough that any need-now item can be handled before the event.
How do you handle a repair that needs hard-to-find parts?
We tell you the likely wait in writing, discuss whether the car should stay here, and keep you posted if the timeline changes.