Our Story | Bassettengineering

OUR

STORY

Why launch Bassett Engineering?

As I reflect on everything that my father and I have done, “BE” allows our collected knowledge and accumulated components to fuse two lifetimes while creating a new family.

My father and I have a unique collection of parts that belong with the right hands, owners, or buyers. Projects where the care continues with you. We’ve generated unique connections in the car world - from Model A to modern muscle to Pre War motorcycles to modern bikes.

This unique mix of parts and people creates a vision to help others complete projects via Bassett Engineering’s inventory, resources, and networks.

Cars (well, all things mechanical) were in the blood before I was born. My grandfather was a Sea Bee during WWII, became a crane operator, then a superintendent for a foundation company, building many of the Chicago skyscrapers. His son, “Sonny”, followed his father’s footsteps into crane operating.

My father worked for 50+ years, building foundations for The Hancock Building, The New Chicago Post Office, Millennium Park; or the updates to Soldier Field and Lake Shore Drive, removing the “S” curve. That work immersed him in Chicago’s past while creating its future. His part gave my sister and I insight and appreciation for Dad’s unique life.

Dad’s retirement lasted 3 whole days. He started hanging out at a Land Rover restoration shop in Chicago. That became part-time work, and soon his search led to buying a 1972 Series III Land Rover. This particular one was used as a plow truck for a gas station; every panel was a different color, but it ran and drove, the latter being the important part. This birthed my father’s “Second Act”, a career his children would witness and embrace.

I did not enter construction; I chose Product Development. My first Chicago job began 20+ years of weaving work and passion for cars and problem solving.

Sonny’s cancer diagnosis meant a couple of years to live. Dad and my sister, her husband, and I spent this time purposefully. We attended Land Rover events, visited Illinois Railway Museum, and fulfilled Dad’s wishes. This isn’t a problem, as it’s what we like too. In 2017 my father passes away. Those who support me are those helping develop Bassett Engineering to reach you and become part of our chain. (for full story, please visit our Blog page)