Classic Workshop LLC

Automobile service has always been an important ongoing reality for most of us, especially when you have a vintage/special interest, classic or antique automobile. Finding a competent shop that does high-quality work for a fair price is truly challenging. Also, as these vehicles grow older by the year, it has been increasingly difficult finding a person and/or shop that has the necessary knowledge, expertise and experience to successfully work on, properly service and accurately repair older vehicles.
Thankfully, several years ago, I found Jaime Kopchinski, Owner of CLASSIC WORKSHOP, located in Hackettstown, NJ. Jaime has many years of experience working in multiple automotive industry positions, as well as a mechanic on vintage Mercedes-Benz vehicles, specifically those spanning the three decades from the 1950’s – 1970’s. Consistently, when I have asked various other owners and proprietors of auto body shops their opinion and recommendation for someone in the tri-state region to perform challenging repair work on vintage Mercedes-Benz automobiles, they all name Jaime Kopchinski. Jaime not only works on Mercedes-Benz vehicles but is very active in the Mercedes-Benz Club of America – Northeast NJ Chapter, participating in organizing their annual meets and car shows. He has held very informative and instructive seminars at his CLASSIC WORKSHOP for other club members. I find Jaime to be very gregarious, personable and willing to listen to a customer’s concerns and then together review the possible causes and solutions to the issue(s), including factoring time and cost. Also, his shop charges for labor and parts are most reasonable and fair for this industry, with not an excessive mark-up.
Over the years, I have had Jaime and his team work on my 1961 Mercedes-Benz 190SL that I have taken to regional car shows and drive sparingly on nice weather days. Most recently, in addition to the necessary regular fluid and filter servicing, he has installed five new, hard-to-find, correct size tires and replaced the battery. Future projects that he will perform are rebuilding or replacing the worn steering box, replacing the failed transmission switch controlling the reverse taillights and replacing the worn ignition key cylinder, all tasks that require patience, knowledge and prior experience with these common issues on these older vehicles. Jamie even helped me out when I unexpectedly had a engine issue after I left his shop and had driving about 15 miles away. He did not hesitate and drove over to me with some tools and parts. Upon arrival he quickly diagnosed the issue as a failing ignition condenser and had the foresight to bring a new, (old stock) replacement condenser, which he then installed and fixed the problem, allowing me to continue to drive home. Now that is exemplary service!
I can attest that Jaime strives for excellence in all aspects of his automobile repair work. He and his crew’s extensive experience, time-proven expertise and just as importantly, true passion for doing an excellent job is most evident. Not just what he and they have done with my car, but in the other examples of several older Mercedes-Benz models that were in his shop at the same time as my car. If you have a vintage Mercedes-Benz that has a mechanical/electrical/service issue that needs attention, it is well worth checking out Jaime Kopchinski and CLASSIC WORKSHOP.

Jaime and team are truly experts in maintaining classic Mercedes Benz vehicles!

We brought my fathers 1970 280SL to the shop after years of it sitting. It's always been a dream of mine to bring it to my wedding and take pictures - and for a while, I didn't think it would happen.
It needed A LOT of work, and after months of being told it was going to be "too much work" from some other shops, we finally found Jamie's shop. We were blown away by the transparency, quality of work and service provided by the whole team. The shop is clean, and they took tremendous care of the car the whole time. We received constant updates, and were made to feel comfortable throughout the process. The car is up and running and it's never driven better. I couldn't thank the team enough for their awesome job!

Thank you to the Classic Workshop team for helping make the dream of this exact photo a reality!!!

Had I been able to award 100 stars, I would have. Jaime is awesome. His exceptional staff, too! I took my 1972 250 to him last month and it came back a different car. He listens and crafts a plan for work accordingly. I drive my car only once a week, only on Park Avenue and only early on Sunday morning - to avoid any sort of damage. Based on that, he gave me a list divided into three categories - work to do now, recommended but optional work and work to consider for the future. The place is like a museum. I tell my friends that my car, compared to the other cars there, is like the poor cousin from Queens showing up at a family party. If you have a Mercedes that needs work, run don't walk to Jaime's shop.

What a great experience! Jaime is a master and his depth of knowledge on these old cars is truly inspiring. He went out of his way to accommodate me and had my car running as intended in short order. This is where you want to take your classic Mercedes. I cannot recommend this shop more highly.