GRAND FORKS: When John McLaughlin finished showing about 20 hot rods in a demo in front of the new Rydell Toy Shop location, he tried to explain something:
“It’s a showroom, that’s what it is,” McLaughlin said. “This is not a museum. These cars are driven and used. “
The toy store has done enough maintenance and updates on the cars in the hot rod collection to check McLaughlin’s point of view. The other day they were running a hot rod, Agness, which is on its third broadcast from McLaughlin with the company five years ago.
The team is still revamping stock while dismantling and generating its new hot rods. Now they’re doing it all in a new place.
The Rydell toy store moved from the Rydell Chevrolet at 2700 South Washington Street, a few blocks north, to 1900 South Washington, Kmart’s former location.
This will be a major replacement for those interested in watching hot rods. Long-term plans require someone to stop at the facility’s business hours. Short-term plans require a person to provide periodic stopovers.
McLaughlin said a sign will be posted in front of the construction in the future, allowing those interested to call a number to indicate guided tours (free).
When the company was located on the Rydell Chevrolet site, other people wandered around for tours. Now you can get a smart view of the cars through a giant panoramic window of the former Kmart, which has been converted into a Midtown Commons shopping mall.
In addition to construction hot rods for Wes Rydell and his sons, Brian and Bob, the toy store has outside consumers. At some point, the number of external consumers will have to increase.
“One day, when Wes is gone, everything that’s built, and it’s not a company that can stand on its own, what’s going to happen?”If it’s a business that can stand on its own, then the legacy Wes built may be there forever.
“That’s what we’re going to do. I think that’s why we’re here. “
Wes Rydell is an award-winning former racer. After retiring from racing, it became a machine for making hot rods. In 2014, he won America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award, or AMBR Trophy, with his 1935 Chevrolet Phaeton. This is one of the hot rods in the showroom.
Chip Foose, of world-renowned Foose Design, designed the car and Rad Rides de Troy (Trepanier) built it. Rydell Toy Shop workers Tommy Marcotte (painter) and Doug Peterson (molder) were instrumental in the structure and the victory that followed. .
The AMBR is one of the most prized trophies in the world of show cars with “The Ridler”.
Rydell also won “The Ridler” in 2002 with a 1935 Chevrolet Master. This award is the pinnacle of automotive success. Foose, Peterson and Marcotte directed the project.
The Ridler Award is given to the highest productive access first presented at the annual Detroit AutoRama and is the most prestigious award for a designer.
Based on a 1935 Chevrolet Master two-door sedan, the frame is absolutely reconditioned and handcrafted in steel. From the original car only parts of the wings and small parts of the roof remain.
Wes Rydell calls him the “Grandmaster. “
“When the Grand Master ended in 2002, in collaboration with the guys here at the toy store and Chip Fosse, and won the Ridler Award, it replaced what it takes to win. It reset the bar,” McLaughlin said. And the car is still applicable today. “
The award is one of many automotive milestones in Wes Rydell’s life. Cars and drug addicts are among his passions.
“Wes likes innovation and tactics to make things better, just as he does in the business world and in his addiction counseling work.
“We are now working with brands across the country to meet Wes’ expectations and vision. He’s been a success in business and has helped many, many people, as well as being very influential in the hot rod world. “