November 19th, 2007798 views(12)

Photography by Olivier Gordon
Editorial by Khoi Truong

For the past few weeks, I’ve been fantasizing about what my super car would be. So far the automotive market has been unappealing and nothing has stood out to me. I was convinced that all I can do is dream. By chance, a friend referred me to a place where my dream might become a reality. I raced to 2265 St-Pierre, where I left my car. A few months passed and the finished product was more than I could have ever dream for. Eric Labbé of Rick’s Designs is no doubt the best custom body fabricator in Eastern Canada. Most people would probably refer him as “the body guy” but I believe that he should be known as “the magician”. Eric is capable of extracting from your imagination, drafting your ideas and then realizing and building your visions from scratch.

Eric started off as a carpenter. At the tender age of 20, he announced to his friends over a camp fire that he was ready to venture into something new. Without any previous experience in car remodeling, he had no choice but to build his empire using Canadian Tire products. This new business venture dawned on him because as a car lover himself, he was tired of spending large sums at body shops with limited vision and creativity. He realized it was money wasted and thought to himself, why not reverse gears?After 9 years of hard work, he now proudly manages the renowned body shop specializing in custom bodywork with 5 specialists under his supervision. His team consists of an artist who visualizes client’s ideas and translates them into graphics; a specialist in creating and molding, an expert in finishing, a top gun mechanic and a restoration fanatic.

Rick Design is located on 2265 St-Pierre in Drummondville. His opening hours are from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday. Rick Design differentiates himself with his unique designs and superior customer service. He definitely can claim that he started from zero and now became a hero. Eric and his team offer supreme services to his clients, follow-up very closely and always give the client decisive power during the entire creative process. During the first meetings with the client, Eric and his artist will draft the ideas on paper. Eric will conceive a prototype based on the client’s desires.

The final product will only be put in production upon the client’s approval. The client has the option to visit the shop to monitor the progression or is provided the luxury of email updates with detailed images and progress reports. Rick designs will rework and fine tune the conception and put it through arduous tests until it is flawless and to specifications.

With a custom made oven at his disposal, Eric is able to manufacture anything that is in 3D, such as body kits, car dashes and compartments for sound systems. Rick Designs also specializes in carbon fiber fabrications. His materials of choice include Carbon-Kevlar and Texalium (Aluminum and fiber glass).

His current design projects include a Ford Mustang, a 5th generation Honda Prelude convertible and a Toyota Celica. Eric also has a 1949 Plymouth business coupe and a Ford Torino in restoration.

You may contact Eric at 1(819) 471-2882 and visit his website at http://rickdesign.ca/

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