The Mintle Barn is a one-of-a-kind horsepower shelter

FALLBROOK – When Ron and Bev Mintle purchased their home on the southern edge of Fallbrook, they planned on doing renovations to the home as well as some major landscaping work. Since there was a need for storage space, they set out to build a barn for Ron’s tools and equipment as well as a place for his toys (cars, motorcycles, boats, etc).

The result was a barn – a fully enclosed shelter of about 4000 sq. ft., sufficient to store and work on vehicles, complete with two hydraulic car lifts, tools, equipment, and everything necessary for vehicle maintenance and restoration.

In 1968, Ron purchased a new car, a brand new 1968 Chevy Malibu convertible, which he still owns. Because it had begun to show its age, Ron decided that it would be a good idea to give it a ground up restoration in preparation for entry into Fallbrook’s 50th annual Vintage Car Show, coming up this year on May 24.

Ron is in the process of restoring his beloved Malibu. He has begun dismantling the car while taking every precaution to log and photograph each and every part before removing it from the vehicle. He has decided to replace the Malibu’s original engine and transmission with a new Corvette LS3, 6.2 Liter, 525HP engine along with a new transmission.

The renovation project started with removal of the engine and drive train along with everything else in the engine compartment. The compartment will then be stripped, sandblasted, and painted. The undercarriage will also be sandblasted, painted, and a new gas tank, exhaust system, and brakes installed. Then, the contents of the engine compartment are reassembled, including new radiator, new wiring, and the new Corvette motor/drive train.

The next step is to strip the body of the old paint and repair all minor dings and blemishes. After consulting with Bev, Ron has been decided to paint the vehicle a dark, metallic blue.

When the new paint job is finished, all new emblems and chrome trim will be installed. The interior will be completely replaced with pearl white upholstery and a new, white convertible top will be installed, making the car look entirely original until someone looks under the hood.

The “new” 1968 Malibu is slated to be let out of the barn the first part of May to allow for a few ‘shakedown’ cruises prior to the car show. The Malibu will be entered in the show’s 60’s Modified Class where it will have plenty of competition.

This year, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Fallbrook Vintage Car Show, the club is planning a larger and more elaborate venue. The date of the car show is Sunday, May 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be held on the grass at the Pala Mesa Resort, 2001 Old Highway 395 in Fallbrook. Attendance and parking will be free to the public. For further information about all the features of the show, or to enter a vintage vehicle, visit http://www.fallbrookvintagecarclub.org.