The Allentown Commercial and Industrial Development Authority (ACIDA), at their regularly scheduled Board Meeting, voted to select ACR Development’s proposal for acquisition and renovation of the Klein Building at The Allentown Waterfront. The plan to build RB Collection’s Restoration Center, a premier classic car restoration facility, adjacent to the America On Wheels Museum (AOWM) would mark the first collaboration between an automotive museum and an operating restoration and service business.

Complementing the current Waterfront redevelopment and drawing on the synergy of the existing AOWM, the concept would allow visitors to enjoy AOWM car expositions and then tour RB Collection’s Restoration Center to experience first-hand how classic and vintage cars are restored. From antique upholstery fabrication to silver emblem restoration, visitors will be able to witness elaborate craftsmanship revitalizing cars engrained in American history.

A brainchild of brothers Al and Alex Ruozzi, founders of RB Collection, the RB Collection’s Restoration Center will be designed as a state-of-the-art facility similar to those in Europe operating under unprecedented cleanliness and organization in accordance with the detailed, precise, and award-winning work of RB Collection’s craftsmen.

Breinigsville-based RB Collection was established in 2011 as a classic, vintage, and exotic car restoration shop and dealership designed to fulfill the needs of car aficionados including complete restoration and service.

Recently featured in Car & Driver Magazine’s “The 12 Cars You Have to See from the 2015 Amelia Island Concours,” the 1947 Chrysler Town & Country concour restored by RB Collection and owned by Mr. Loren Hulber won Best in Class at 2015 Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, one of the most important Concours in the world. Additional awards include:

• DuPont Homsey’s Award – 18th Radnor Hunt Concour’s d’Elegance, 2014
• Platinum Award – 30th Reading Ferrari Concour’s d’Elegance, 2014
• Most Elegant Post War Car – The Elegance at Hershey, 2014
• 1st Place American Classic Post War – Radnor Hunt Concours d’Elegance, 2013
• Best in Class – St. Michael’s Concours d’Elegance, 2013

“We are excited to take our 23 years of knowledge and passion for classic cars and generate a thematic approach to Allentown’s Waterfront redevelopment that will become the ‘Automobile Corner of America’ right here in the Valley,” said Alex Ruozzi, founder of RB Collection and ACR Development. “Not only is the Waterfront location a strategic gateway to the area’s premier attractions, but the proposed ‘Automobile Corner of America’ created by the American on Wheels Museum and RB Collection Restoration Center partnership promises to be a family-oriented attraction providing visitors with a unique opportunity to see both the beginning and end stages of vehicle restoration.”

The proposed project includes a building addition, as well as total renovation of the Klein Building. All historic features including the entire facade and architectural concept will be preserved to accommodate over 12,000 sq. ft. of the RB Collection showroom and restoration shop. The second phase of renovation includes complete renovation of the 2nd and 3rd floors to become upscale residential units.

“We are embarking on the development of a unique apartment experience; one where apartment owners will have the experience of the best classic and exotic cars in the lobby of their building. Talk about a show-stopper!” said Ruozzi.