Curt Strohacker, the founder of Pennsylvania-based Eastwood, bought vehicles to restore and resell when he was in high school. He noticed an opportunity in the auto restoration and customization market to provide time-saving tools and techniques for restoring vehicles. In 1978, Strohacker opened his business, selling metal-finishing tools and equipment. He used catalog marketing and sold his products at car shows. Eastwood succeeded early on and experienced massive growth in 1983, when Mercedes and BMW car clubs endorsed the Eastwood Car Wash Brush. The Eastwood Spot-Weld Gun also gained popularity; it could duplicate industrial spot-welds on almost any metal body. Eastwood has expanded to offer just about any tool or part needed when restoring a car. Available products include gaskets, suspension parts, water pumps, oil pans, brake kits, electrical system parts, auto paints, welders, powder coat guns, tubing benders, and metal machining tools.