"roadster.fordor.com" Howell's Sheetmetal: Specializing in Ford's 1909 to 1940

About Howell's Sheetmetal

Written by David Howell, June 1997

I would like to take this opportunity to let my customers and potential customers know something about myself, my business, History and future plans.

My name is David S. Howell, I am 54 years old. I'm married, my wife's name is Cheryl, I have two sons, Glenn and Shane.

I got my first interest in old cars at the age of 15 (1958). I rebuilt a 27 Ford Coupe engine in the driveway of our home. I drove the car to High School.

During this same period (1958) my brother Arthur Howell started restoring and making a few sheetmetal parts (Sheetmetal) for "T" Fords. Fenders, hoods, shields were the start of "Tin Lizzy Manufacturing". Some of the old Hemmings Motor News of that period have the ads he ran. For the next 16 years he ran the business, in 1974 I had completed my military (Air Force) and joined him in manufacturing sheetmetal parts. Then in 1983 he moved to Pennsylvania leaving me with the management of the company. Jan 1, 1985 I purchased the company from him and have been turning out quality sheetmetal parts ever since. So you can see the total business has been around almost 40 years.

During the last two years I have introduced over 50 new Items to our production line. With over 400 items and new ones being made daily I welcome you (My customers) to let me know what needs to be made. We do some in-shop restorations but do not and have not worked on all makes and models. When you send patterns (old part) is where most new items for reproduction come.

We are also into the Streetrod market and have introduced several High-Tech items into that market. The only unfortunate thing about this business is the influx of of Twian parts on the market. In my opinion this takes away jobs of Americans, not to say anything about the quality of parts. All of our parts are made in-house in Nederland, TX. We own all our equipment with exception of several high tonage presses I have access to in Houston.

All the parts we manufacturer are die stamped or roll formed, presses range from 15 Ton - 180 Ton.

I love the old car business and open-minded to any suggestions or help to improve on quality or services.