What began as a hobby quickly became Exclusively Classics, a classic car restoration company that’s stood the test of time, much like the cars.
After 26 years, Philip Counts purchased the company from his father, Richard Counts, who recently decided to sell the business in order to focus on his work in Alzheimer's and autism research. Although Philip’s background is in technology and he hadn't initially expected to become the owner, he decided to take the role out of a strong belief in the company's mission.
“I didn't want this to go to anybody who might mess it up or who may [not] carry on the integrity of it,” Philip said. “We have all these great mechanics with skill sets that are unique and rare and then they might get flung into the wind.”
Setting the scene
What started it all was a 1965 Ford Mustang Fastback, Philip said. Not every auto shop knows how to work on a classic car, so Richard learned how to restore it himself, starting with the lightbulbs.
“He rebuilt the whole thing in our garage back in Cedar Park when we were kids. He learned how to do all of it on his own, just poured himself into it,” Philip said. “... If he's interested in something, he will just go out and learn it. He'll find the manual, he'll read books, he'll watch videos until he becomes an expert at it.”
The approach
The restoration of each vehicle is conducted with meticulous care and transparency with clients. The team consists of seven mechanics who undergo a rigorous hiring process to verify their historical expertise and technical understanding of classic cars.
“[We] don't have the luxury of plugging in a computer and it will tell you what's wrong. It's more artisan than that,” Philip said. He said it's technical familiarity, but also "the sound [and] the smell."
Ensuring every customer feels at ease and well-supported is another point of pride for the business, Phillip said. The company’s website features the motto, "classic car care without the gatekeeping," aiming to change the stereotype that mechanics exploit clients, particularly women, who may not have extensive automotive expertise, he said.
“I'm really proud of the reputation that we've built ... We don't want anyone to feel afraid to walk in here,” Philip said. “[The client] doesn't need to know all of this, that's what we're here for ... so that you can enjoy your car.”
Going forward
Though ownership is transitioning to the next generation, the core mission of supporting the classic car community and upholding the shop's legacy remains the same. Philip is currently upgrading the customer portal to foster even better transparency with clients. Looking ahead, the goal is to find a permanent location where they can have plenty of room to grow.
Above all else, he hopes to continue preserving the memory that each car holds for the owner.
“It's not really practical to own a classic car in any way; it's an emotional thing ... you're delivering the feeling," Phillip said. "When [someone] brings you their car that they had since high school, and it sat in a field for 15 years and you totally restored it—they look at it and you can literally see tears in their eyes.”
