Getting a new company up and running involves a lot, but rarely at the level demonstrated by Ridgefield’s Chris Bishop and his team at North American Motor Car (NAMC). Watching the purpose-built 50,000 square-foot NAMC facility rise up on Danbury’s Miry Brook Road over the last two years made even a casual observer realize this was going to be an undertaking and operation without peer. NAMC’s grand
opening gave us the opportunity to see Bishop’s ambitious vision up close and was an indication that his passion and mission will be felt far beyond the Northeast.On Friday, September 23rd, NAMC’s grand opening began with a ribbon cutting and proclamations from Danbury Mayor Dean Esposito and Connecticut State Representative Kenneth Gucker. Tours of the facility showed off the sheer magnitude of the infrastructure and offerings within. Ranging from expert metal fabrication led by master craftsman Josh Allison and custom paint work to an interior shop and climate-controlled storage for 267 cars, NAMC is ready to rock. For auto enthusiasts, NAMC is a fantasyland, with a glass-walled detail studio only steps away from a hidden cigar lounge. NAMC is able to build and customize dream cars for their clients, Bishop is going beyond just the vehicles. NAMC will also feature a members-only social club, offering storage customers and others a place to hang with fellow car enthusiasts. On the second floor of the main building, there is a large, beautifully designed entertainment room called the Glamour & Grit lounge that features a metal-clad, art-deco style bar, and is flanked by a glass wall overlooking the showroom floor where hotrods and custom choppers await their turn on the rotating turntable. On the wall, next to the upstairs bar, are the actual boots worn by Elvis Presley and a stars and stripes helmet signed by Peter Fonda from the film classic, Easy Rider. These are two of the countless pieces of memorabilia Bishop has collected. Bishop is also a serious rock & roll fan, so signed guitars and other iconic music collectibles are seen throughout the facility, including a guitar owned and played by Jimi Hendrix. In addition to member use, this cool party space will be available for rent. After the formal speeches and presentations, the partying began. Reflecting the world-class quality of the facility, the celebration was a next-level event. The food was not your typical party fare, as spreads of prawns, oysters, and cheeses seemed to go on forever while a never-ending stream of waitstaff served up hot gourmet hors d’oeuvres to the hundreds of attendees. A large tent in the open space between the buildings served as a concert hall where Christopher Robin, Billy Dawson, and Ed Kowalczyk, the lead singer from multi-platinum band LIVE, entertained the crowd throughout the night. The quality of these musicians was a reflection both of Bishop’s love of music and his deep connections.“This place is a dream come true for me,” commented Bishop. “Our goal is to be a destination experience and lifestyle hub for our customers to engage with other auto enthusiasts and to be inspired by what’s possible when it comes to custom motorcycles and automobiles. We built NAMC to be a total automotive solution and our full suite of services were specifically designed to help people enjoy all aspects of owning their dream ride. Our team of world-class builders are also very excited about turning anything our customers can dream up into reality at our American Metal Customs Shop. I couldn’t be more excited to finally be able to open our doors to the public and share everything we have been working on.”Another highlight of the evening was the introduction of Bishop’s new American Metal whiskey. Named after the custom metal crafting side of their business, the spirit is marketed towards the hard-core motorcycle and hot rod crowd, but the smooth drinking quality is going to help it find a much wider audience. Between the sheer size of the operation and diverse businesses, it would seem like Bishop is biting off a lot. Yet, with his track record and infectious personality, I think we’ll be hearing a lot about this gentleman and his team for many years to come. •
