Meet the specialist: Krampol Oldtimer

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Eppertshausen is a small, quiet and attractive town lying just about 15 miles to the south of Frankfurt. The surrounding countryside is low and flat, with corn fields and other crops extending to the level horizon. With the roads open and uncrowded, it's very much the sort of country where one can head out in a vintage car and enjoy some really relaxed motoring. It pays, therefore, to have a historic vehicle specialist in the area, and residents in Eppertshausen, Frankfurt and the various surrounding towns and villages are fortunate to have Krampol Oldtimer on their doorstep.

The large workshop is the culmination of a childhood ambition for 27-year-old Vincent Krampol, who says: "From a young age, my fascination with classic cars was sparked by my parents' Mercedes W123. Regular summer trips to various events were part of my upbringing, and this passion led me to pursue a voluntary internship at a classic car workshop before my final school exams. The experience was so fulfilling that I informed my teacher of my decision not to return to school. Instead, I committed to the dream of owning my own classic car workshop. Despite financial constraints, having neither personal savings nor family wealth, I invested every penny I earned back into my business. Consequently, I couldn't afford a classic car for myself, but this was a small sacrifice, as my daily work involved restoring magnificent vehicles."

Fortunately, Vincent's situation is now a little more comfortable, and he has a very attractive Triumph Dolomite, with the lusty two-litre straight-six which was so highly praised at the time, and sporty two-seater bodywork modelled on the supercharged straight-eight Dolomites, of which just three were built in 1934.

Overcoming the odds

Still, Vincent had a way to go from leaving school before he could afford to start his own business. "After dropping out of school, I first trained as a mechatronics technician and then as a bodywork specialist. I also completed additional certifications, like getting a forklift licence, which would allow me to handle all tasks when I eventually started my own business. To realise my vision, I needed a loan. As the youngest loan applicant in the region, and dealing with bankers who barely understood what a classic car is, securing the funds was far from easy. The negotiations stalled after a few weeks, and it was clear a deal wouldn't happen through conventional means. I rented a truck, parked it outside the bank, and brought out all the suited bankers from their offices. Inside the truck, I had arranged car body parts and other items to show what my business entailed. This broke the deadlock and negotiations finally progressed. By the end of 2019, I secured the funding to establish my company, and so the adventure began."

Considering what happened around the world in 2020, Vincent had unknowingly embarked upon his venture at what must have later seemed like the worst possible time, but having demonstrated already how driven and determined he could be, Krampol Oldtimer has not been held back. "Since our inception 4½ years ago," he says, "our team has continuously grown, and been enriched by specialists who have brought decades of experience. We now have ten dedicated employees, and we're comfortable with this size because it allows us to maintain close oversight over the quality of our work. With the acquisition of both historic and modern tooling and machinery, we've gained the ability to manage nearly every task in-house. Our expertise spans servicing, mechanicals, electrics, bodywork and engine construction."

It's not just straightforward repairs that Krampol tackles. It casts its own parts and will build entire steel or aluminium bodies from scratch. The workers apply their skills to everything from pre-war cars up to 1970s classics, and the business offers as its speciality the option of rebuilding cars from the chassis up to the owner's bespoke specification.

Says Vincent: "I find great satisfaction in reconstructing pre-war cars from scratch. The process of transforming a simple chassis into a complete vehicle is really rewarding. One of our outstanding projects was the restoration of a unique 1940s BMW prototype. This streamlined coupé required us to meticulously fabricate every component in-house, from window panes to door hinges and seals."

While Krampol Oldtimer mainly works on cars of the '30s or later, the staff are more than capable of transferring their skills and knowledge to older vehicles. "A notable exception in our routine was the restoration of a 1912 Benz Gaggenau. That was an extraordinary project for our team. We had the privilege to perform comprehensive work, addressing everything from the bodywork to the engine.

A comprehensive package

While primarily a restoration business, with the capacity to accommodate twenty-five vehicles at any one time, Krampol Oldtimer also handles sales, typically offering two vehicles every month or so, although Vincent advises that sales are temporarily on hold until January, 2025. "In the meantime," he mentions, "We are always open to accepting brokerage orders." Krampol Oldtimer has attended rallies and trade events before now, but Vincent gets the most enjoyment from seeing cars being driven, and with that in mind he has expanded the company's services to include race support for its customers.

It's quite a remarkable package, and a real achievement for someone as young as Vincent. Apart from running a flourishing business, Vincent also sets an excellent example for other young enthusiasts, and it would be wonderful to think that in a few years' time, we might see other businesses popping up around the world spearheaded by twenty- or thirty-somethings who have followed his example.

For now, Krampol Oldtimer stands out as one of the most comprehensive restoration businesses in the Frankfurt region. It is located at Oberwaldstraße 4, 64859 Eppertshausen, and is open 7.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. on Friday, and by appointment on Saturdays. For more information, visit www.krampol-oldtimer.com

Words: Zack Stiling
Photographs: Krampol Oldtimer
 

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