Just outside of Muldrow, the sound of wrenches turning, engines revving and the unmistakable scent of motor oil signal the start of a cherished family tradition for Brian Matthews.
A lifelong car enthusiast, Matthews is passing on his passion for restoring classic cars to his son Jake, turning their garage into a workshop where life lessons are learned alongside laughter and a bit of grease.
He said his love for cars began in his teenage years when he spent countless hours under the hood of his first car— a beat-up 1968 Mustang that he and his father painstakingly restored. Now, he’s guiding Jake through the same intricate process of breathing new life into old cars, hoping to pass on not just the skills, but the values that come with the work.
“Restoring cars isn’t just about fixing something up,” Matthews said. “It’s about patience, dedication and learning how to solve problems. Every car has its own quirks, just like life. I want Jake to develop those skills, but more importantly, I want us to do it together, just like my dad and I did.”
Recently, the Matthews family brought their enthusiasm to Muldrow Cruise Night, the beloved annual event where car enthusiasts gather to showcase their rides and celebrate their hard work. Although they attended as spectators this year, the experience fueled their desire to build something special— a car they could proudly cruise in at next year’s event.
“Muldrow Cruise Night was incredible,” Matthews recalled. “Seeing all those amazing cars and the creativity of the car owners was really inspiring. It’s one thing to talk about cars, but seeing them up close, knowing the hours of work that went into each one—it’s a whole different level of appreciation. Jake and I are already talking about what kind of car we want to work on next.”
The duo has set their sights on a classic Chevy Chevelle, a car with the perfect mix of style and power.
“We want something that turns heads,” Matthews added with a grin. “But it’s not just about looking cool. It’s about the journey of building it together and the memories we’ll make along the way.”
During one recent weekend, the family encountered their first real challenge—an old, rusted bolt that refused to budge. After several failed attempts, Matthews decided it was time for a teaching moment.
“Alright, Jake,” he said, handing him a blowtorch, “Sometimes, the key to success is applying a little heat—literally and figuratively. Just don’t set the garage on fire.”
Jake, with a mix of excitement and caution, used the blowtorch as his dad instructed, and the stubborn bolt finally gave way. The moment was met with a mix of laughter and relief.
“Looks like we’ve found our new best friend,” Matthews joked. “Remember, no restoration project is complete without at least one bolt that makes you question your life choices.”
As they delve deeper into their project, Matthews makes it a point to teach Jake more than just the mechanics.
“Cars will always test your patience,” he explained during another session.
“Sometimes, the parts don’t fit, or things don’t go as planned. It’s just like life—when things get tough, you have to stay calm and figure out a solution. And if all else fails, there’s always the blowtorch.”
Matthews is excited about the project but knows it will be a challenge.
“It’s going to take a lot of time, effort and probably a few more scraped knuckles,” he laughed. “But that’s all part of the fun. And by the time Cruise Night rolls around next year, we’ll have a car that’s not just a vehicle, but a symbol of our hard work as a family.”
As they prepare to dive into their new project, the Matthews family is already planning for the future—where each bolt, coat of paint and engine tweak brings them closer not just to a finished car, but to each other.
“Working on cars together has brought us closer as a family,” Matthews reflected. “And I can’t wait to see what we build next—not just the car, but the bond between us.”
