"Smokin" Joe Gates MOKIN” JOE GATES

Award Winning Master Restorer, Master Auto Body Technician, Master Painter, ASE Certified

        In keeping with our quest to employ the very best talent possible, E-Muscle, LLC is proud to have Joe Gates as a member of our team. Highly skilled in disciplines that include all aspects of metal repair, structural repair, panel alignment, welding, preparation for paint, factory original & custom paint finishes and beyond, Joe has earned a stellar reputation as a true master of his craft. He is also well-versed at working with FiberGlass, carbon fiber and aluminum and is a specialist at performing “period-correct” repairs of every kind.       

        With more than 35 years experience performing complete and partial restorations on everything from American muscle cars, classics, and hot rods to vintage automobiles from European manufacturers that include: Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, DeTomaso, Lotus, MG, Triumph, Alfa Romeo and others, Joe is a true world-class craftsman. Along with his extensive automotive skills, Joe earned a college degree in mechanical engineering so he truly understands the fine points of automobile restoration, design, construction and getting power efficiently and safely to the ground.

AWARDS

Ÿ  SEMMA 2007 - Winner Hot Wheels Attitude Award - 37 Ford Coupe.

Ÿ  ATLANTA GOODGUYS 2008 - Winner Meguiars best paint and peoples choice - 68 Ford Mustang.

Ÿ   TEXAS HOT SUMMER NIGHTS  2008 - Winner best of show - 57 Chevy Truck.

Ÿ   SPRING FLING COCOA BEACH FL 2008  -   Winner best under hood - 69 Chevelle convertible.

Ÿ   ORLANDO GOODGUYS 2003 - Winner best Cadillac restoration - 67 Cadillac convertible.

ADDITIONAL AWARD WINNERS:

55 Chevy Pro Street    68 Mustang Convertible    41 Wills Coupe    51 Chevy Truck    67 Pontiac GTO   

27 Willys Coupe    65 Ferrari 330GTC 2+2    63 Ferrari 250GT Berlineta Lusso.

      PAST RESTORATION PROJECTS              

70 Mustang Conv.    63 MG Midget    68 Camaro (orange)    68 Camaro (black)    69 GTO    66 Austin Healy    53 1/2 Corvette   

67 Cadilac Conv.    63 Alfa Romeo    83 Lotus Esprit    72 Alfa Romeo Spider    73 Fiat Spyder    86 Jaguar XJ6    DeLorean   

66 Jaguar XKE    Avanti II    68 Impala Conv.    65 Buick LeSabre    58 Mercedes 320SL    69 Chevy Nomad Wagon   

72 Olds Cutlass Conv.    55 Chevy Belair    71 Pantera    69 Camaro    76 Firebird    63 Ferrari    58 Jaguar    76 Camaro    83 Camaro

PAST MODIFIED PROJECTS

63 Chevy Nova II    57 Chevy Pickup    67 Chevy Pickup    50 Chevy Pickup    71 Camaro   

65 Chevy Nova    65 Mustang    68 Mustang    69 Chevelle SS Conv.    37 Ford Coupe

           PAST PRO STREET CUSTOMS        

67 GTO    27 Willys    69 Mustang Conv    68 Mustand Conv. 5.0    70 Chevy Nova    Datsun 240z (blown 350)

VEHICLES OWNED

55 Pontiac Starchief        69 Dodge Coronet RT 500        68 Pontiac Firebird        65 Chevy Impala        69 Chevy Impala        65 Olds Cutlass Supreme

57 Ford Galaxie        61 Studebaker        62 Ford Fairlane        49 Plymouth Cranbrook        51 Chevy Business Coupe        57 Nash Metropolitan

63 MG Midget        69 MG Midget        71 VW Karmann Ghia        72 Triumph Spitfire    63 Mercedes        58 VW Van

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER TECHS?

“I grew up around cars from the early 50's in my fathers Sinclair gas station. I studied manufacturing processes with an associates degree in Mechanical Engineering. I have over 35 years experience in the heavy collision industry and approximately 12 plus of those years devoted to show cars (sports, muscle, fat fender, bucket, etc). Most of my projects have won and continue to win awards at various shows around the country. (Due to the nature of these projects, I do not always receive the honorable mention I deserve, I therefore rely on pictures and technical analysis to tell the real story)”

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN THE E-MUSCLE TEAM?

“I decided to move to Connecticut because of my wife's job transfer and desire to be close to her family. My research led me to E-Muscle and I determined that this shop best exemplified the high level criteria of projects, organization, quality, processes and business acumen that I aspire to”

"SMOKIN" JOE'S WORK GALLERY - CLICK FOR FULL SIZE PICS