North Coast Journal · My Humboldt Life
Kevin Bradley's Sweet Ride
A February 2025 profile of Kevin, his first '55 Ford build, and the shops.
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Since 1999 · Founded by Kevin Bradley
Built by hand in Humboldt County since 1999.
Kreations Auto Body started with one man, one shop, and a love of classic cars. More than two decades later, it's five North Coast locations and a reputation built on award-winning craftsmanship, honest work, and a serious respect for the machines that come through the door.
Our story
From award-winning restorations to Humboldt's best-trained shop.
Founded in 1999 by Kevin Bradley, Kreations Auto Body has grown from completing award-winning classic car restorations to becoming a full-fledged automotive collision repair facility and custom vehicle builder. After receiving requests and inquiries from customers who wanted a higher caliber of repair work than standard body shops could provide, we transitioned into collision repair work in 2009 and now offer premium repairs for all types of vehicles.
Kreations Auto Body is now Humboldt County's best-trained collision repair service and custom vehicle building shop.
With four locations to serve the entire Humboldt Bay area, we offer vehicle pickup and delivery service to make it easy for our customers to have top-quality repairs completed, regardless of where they live.
We handle the conversations with your insurance provider and help make sure you're treated fairly and receive the quality repair you deserve.
The founder
Kevin Bradley, Fortuna born and built.
Kevin got hooked on cars at 15, helping friends with family projects around Fortuna. His junior year at Fortuna Union High, he built his first vehicle: a magenta-and-ultraviolet 1955 Ford pickup he paid for with $12,000 earned washing dishes at the Sunset Grill.
He learned the craft from the pages of Hot Rod, Popular Hotrodding, Street Rodder, and Super Chevy, then turned it into a career. His approach hasn't changed: restore but still pay homage to the classic look, without over-modifying what made the car great in the first place. Twenty-five years in, his very first employee is still with him.
The story
From one Rio Dell shop to five across Humboldt and Mendocino Counties.
- 1999
Kevin opens the first Kreations shop in Rio Dell, focused on award-winning classic car restorations.
- 2004
Named Drive Magazine's Builder of the Year.
- 2006
A 1970 Hemi 'Cuda he built lands the April cover of Hot Rod Magazine.
- 2010
Opens a second Kreations location in McKinleyville.
- 2022
Opens the flagship Fortuna shop on the former Fortuna Motors site, plus a location in Eureka.
- 2024
His burnt-tangerine-and-black 1956 Chevrolet wins the Fortuna Rodeo Parade's 1950-and-up class.
- 2025
Expands into Mendocino County with a shop in Willits.
The craft we're known for
Some of the cars that made the name.
Award-winning classics and one-off customs, built by the same hands that put a car on the cover of Hot Rod Magazine. A few of them are below.
Press & recognition
Featured, awarded, and on the cover.
Hot Rod Magazine
Hot Rod Magazine cover, April 2006
The 1970 Plymouth Barracuda Kevin built for Canadian entrepreneur Ted Hellard made the cover of the sport's flagship magazine.
Drive Magazine
Builder of the Year, 2004
Recognized among the best custom car builders in the country.
Goodguys · SF Rod & Custom · Oakland Roadster Show
Best of Show honors
Kreations builds have taken top awards at the country's premier car shows.
SEMA · Fresno Autorama
Shown at SEMA & Blackie Gejeian's invitational
Kevin's cars have appeared at prestigious events, including SEMA and Blackie Gejeian's invitation-only show in Fresno, and have been featured in several industry magazines.
Follow Kreations on Instagram at @kreationsautobody.
Part of the community
More than a body shop.
Kevin and the crew show up for Humboldt and Mendocino year-round. We donate to local clubs, sponsor teams, host chamber events, and roll out for the Fortuna Rodeo, the Auto Xpo, and Wildwood Days. Every location runs a toy drive through the holidays.
"Quality of life actually begins at home. It's in your street, around your community."
See how we show up
- The Fortuna Rodeo parade every July
- The Redwood Auto Xpo car show
- The Wildwood Days cruise and Show & Shine
- Food trucks at the Fortuna shop each week
- Holiday toy drives and trunk-or-treat at every location
- Sponsoring local clubs, teams, and chamber events
Tesla Certified
Humboldt County's only certified Tesla auto body shop.
Factory-trained and equipped to repair Teslas to original specifications. Stop by any of our five locations for a free estimate, and tell your friends and family.
Your turn
Bring us your project.
Whether it's a collision repair or the dream build you've been picturing for years, the same crew and the same standard are behind every job.