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About Us
Kandi’s is proudly owned and operated by a woman and a career firefighter.
Quality. Patience. Passion. Drive.
Automotive Restorations & Collision
18,000 sq. ft of dedicated space to specialize in all your collision, antique, and classic automotive needs.
From accidents in your daily driver, to overhauls and off-the-frame restorations, rotisserie builds, and a paint job of your dreams, Kandi’s has to means.
Learn more about our automotive collision and restoration services and visit our Auto Body page.
A passion to build hotrods
Kandi’s is a team of hard working women and men gear heads that live, breathe, and drive the hot rod life. Our vast experience provides the highest in quality and craftsmanship. We’ve been featured in a variety of magazines, special events, interviews, and videos all around the great United States.
Visit our Gallery to browse some of our past builds.
Meet the team
Kandi “Blaze” McCrea
owner/manager
Literally conceived at Dragway 42 in the summer of 1979, Ms Kandi “Blaze” McCrea was building hot rod shops and drag strips with her wood blocks for her Hot Wheels by age 4. At age eight, with the help and guidance of her father, she restored her first banana seat bike from a rusty and dull yellow to bright pink with black pinstriping. Kandi’s passion runs deep and her knowledge of building remains strong. Through multiple cancers and auto immune battles, she has mostly retired from the manual labor portion of the industry. Kandi remains highly active within the business and continues to be the perfectionist and eye of the end result of the work.
Rob McCrea
co-owner/electrician
Not only is Rob the co-owner and electrical specialist at Kandi’s, he’s a 20+ year career firefighter and paramedic for the city of Ashland, OH. Rob is also a volunteer for Hayesville-Vermillion Vol. Fire Dept., instructor at Wayne County Fire Training Facility, and Safety Director at Dragway 42.
Thomas Thompson
auto body tech/fabricator/painter
Thomas is extremely knowledgeable in the classic car building industry. With over 40 years experience, his expertise and craftsmanship is some of the best in the industry. From metal and fiberglass fabrication to meticulous paint work, Thomas is an “Old Skool” body man with a mountain full of tricks of the trade.
Alan Bosley
auto body tech/painter
Alan is a master painter and perfectionist when it comes to the classic car industry. He’s seen almost every type of fad come and go over the years that he’s been painting and working on cars. No detail is left undone when he’s ready for the final inspection on his work.
Mike Shank
mechanic
1 man power = Mike. Our mechanic is as strong as an ox, and we often compare his strength to the equivalent of 1 man power. Mike is a hard worker with the ability to adapt to most areas that he is needed. His love of classic cars and their mechanics, along with his experience, is what landed him a job at Kandi’s.
Destiny Wilson
receptionist
When you visit the lobby, usually the first face to greet you is our office gal and receptionist, Destiny. Destiny is the daughter of Kandi “Blaze” McCrea and often accompanied by her son (Kandi’s grandson). She has a diverse set of skills between the auto body dept and office work. Her training continues in the area of estimates and parts knowledge to provide you with he best service possible.
Morticia
office cat
Full of attitude and lacking in grace with a resting b*tch face. Morticia wants you to pet her, BUT only on her terms. If you’re a female she may show you some kindness or give you a murderous stare. If you’re a bearded male, she believes you should dote on her, for she is your new queen and she is saying, ”lovvvve me right now! I’m not kitten around!”
Zodiac
office cat
The celestial killer that will love you to death. He is kind, demanding, and wants all your attention. Despite what he says and the tricks he has, do not let him in the lobby or garage. He is a wonderful pet demon that will love you beyond measure and in the middle of him gently consuming your soul, he may decide to show you his killer claws. Be warned, he will love you to death!
We recommend and use the following companies in our shop
