Fun Stuff

Welcome to Local Good Friends, our series celebrating the passionate people who make the South West of Western Australia such a special place to call home.

Through stories, conversations and photography, we shine a light on local creatives, makers and community members whose work inspires us. This edition features Jordan Bennett, a vintage car builder whose workshop is less about restoring old vehicles and more about bringing stories back to life.

More Than Vintage Cars

For most people, a car is simply a way to get from A to B.

For Jordan Bennett, the destination has never been the point.

Every classic car that rolls into his workshop carries a story. Every restoration is an opportunity to create new memories while preserving old ones.

To Jordan, vintage cars are time capsules.

Growing Up Around Hot Rods

Jordan grew up in Langley, British Columbia, where classic cars were part of everyday life.

"Langley is basically renowned for three things," Jordan laughs. "Horses, Harleys and hot rods."

Every year the town hosted the famous Goodtimes Cruise-In, attracting thousands of vintage vehicles and enthusiasts.

It was impossible not to fall in love with car culture.

His dad encouraged both Jordan and his brother to build things with their hands, teaching them to weld while also nurturing their creativity.

Together they built detailed billy carts, customised dirt bikes and eventually their own project cars.

That passion never left.

Learning by Doing

As a teenager, Jordan began rebuilding old four-wheel drives before tackling something much bigger.

After a serious car accident, he convinced his parents to let him buy a neglected 1953 GMC pickup instead of something sensible.

"It was sitting in an overgrown blackberry bush," he says. "It took a whole day just to drag it out."

Piece by piece, Jordan rebuilt the truck himself.

It became the project that launched his lifelong obsession with restoring classic vehicles.

From Canada to Western Australia

That same pickup eventually carried everything Jordan owned when he moved to Vancouver.

Later, an unexpected friendship with an Australian co-worker introduced him to another adventure.

Invited to Western Australia for what was meant to be a three-month surfing trip, Jordan arrived in the South West and immediately felt at home.

"As soon as we landed, I thought, I'm never leaving."

Almost six years later, he's still here.

Finding Home in Dunsborough

Like many locals, Jordan picked up work wherever opportunities appeared.

One of those jobs happened to be pouring beers at Eagle Bay Brewing Co.

The connections he made within the community gradually opened the door back into what he loved most.

Building cars.

Today, his workshop has become a creative space where classic vehicles are restored from the ground up.

Restoring More Than Cars

Jordan doesn't just rebuild old vehicles.

He builds them around the people who own them.

Every project begins with a conversation.

He learns about the owner's personality, interests and memories before planning each custom detail.

"You want to understand who they are before you build their car."

From hidden design touches to carefully chosen finishes, every restoration becomes deeply personal.

Slowing Life Down

Jordan believes vintage cars offer something modern life often forgets.

They encourage people to slow down.

To appreciate winding roads.

To roll the windows down.

To drive with friends.

To leave the phone alone and simply enjoy the journey.

"These cars give you a chance to appreciate what's around you."

It's a philosophy that feels perfectly suited to life in the South West.

Building Community

Jordan's vision extends beyond restoring classic cars.

He hopes his workshop becomes a gathering place where people can share stories, swap ideas and connect across generations.

One of his favourite things about car culture is that age simply doesn't matter.

A teenager and an eighty-year-old can become lifelong friends through a shared appreciation for craftsmanship and nostalgia.

"It's about bringing people together."

Every Car Tells a Story

Restoring vintage vehicles isn't easy.

Every project uncovers unexpected challenges, hidden rust and countless hours of problem-solving.

But for Jordan, that's all part of the process.

Watching an owner drive away in a completed restoration makes every challenge worthwhile.

"It's all worth it when they get to create their own memories with it."

Celebrating Local Good Friends

Jordan Bennett reminds us that craftsmanship isn't just about what we build.

It's about the experiences we create.

Whether restoring a classic pickup or helping someone reconnect with a piece of their history, Jordan's work is built on passion, patience and community.

At Eagle Bay Brewing Co., we're proud to celebrate people like Jordan who make the South West such a unique place to live and visit.

Explore more stories in our Local Good Friends series as we continue sharing the inspiring people behind our region.