The Experts in WWII Vehicles

About

Jimmy Strauss found his love for restoration in 1977, at only 13 years old. Since then he has continued to develop his hobby, initially working on hot rods and high performance vehicles, until about 27 years ago, when Jimmy found his true passion - WWII vehicles. Jimmy began restoring his first Jeep, a 1944 Willys MB, in 1999, and to date has completed over 500 projects. Jimmy's 1944 Willys MB took home first place in the Factory Class MVPA national show in 2003, and his 1941 Willys MA took home first place in the 2103 Master Class MVPA national show. The hobby has now grown into a career, giving Jimmy and his team the opportunity to serve WWII enthusiasts worldwide!

At Jimmy Strauss Jeeps we treat every project like our own, affording each vehicle with unmatched finesse and attention to detail! Our shop specializes in 1941-1945 era Willys and Ford production and preproduction vehicles.

Meet Our Team: Jimmy

Jimmy is a third-generation small business owner who takes great pride in providing exceptional customer service and an experience that is truly second to none. His appreciation for craftsmanship, history, and attention to detail extends well beyond the shop.

A lifelong WWII enthusiast, Jimmy has a particular passion for the history of American warships and for preserving the stories and artifacts of the past. In his free time, he enjoys building 1:700 scale models, restoring hot rods and performance vehicles, and collecting and preserving WWII memorabilia from around the world. Whether he is restoring a piece of history or working on a project in the shop, his patience, precision, and appreciation for the details are evident in everything he does.

Outside of his work and hobbies, Jimmy is a proud father of three adult daughters, grandfather to two grandsons and a young granddaughter, and partner to his longtime love, Lorie. Together, they share their home with their two cats, Freya and Gracie.

For Jimmy, craftsmanship is more than a profession—it is a lifelong passion.

Meet Our Team: Nick

Nick is Jimmy’s right-hand man and shop assistant, and an integral part of the day-to-day operation of the shop. A first-generation American, Nick joined the restoration team in 2020 during the height of COVID-19. At the time, he was a high school student looking for a way to complete the hands-on hours required for his automotive course when in-person classes were unavailable.

What began as an apprenticeship quickly grew into something much more. Over the years, Nick has become an essential member of the team and a trusted part of the restoration process. Working alongside Jimmy, he has developed a deep knowledge of restoration and has become something of an expert himself when it comes to all things WWII. His curiosity, mechanical aptitude, and willingness to learn have made him an invaluable part of the shop.

Outside of the restoration shop, Nick has a rather unusual passion: garbage trucks. He runs his own garbage truck company and trash collection service, and has a particular interest in antique trucks and industrial internal-combustion engines of all kinds. And, perhaps most importantly, Nick is a dedicated lover of cheese—of all varieties.

Nick shares his home with his wife, Chesey, and their cat.