Honoring Andy Kinworthy and 18 Years of Restoration at the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum
- Mar 25
- 2 min read
After 18 years at the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum, Andy Kinworthy is preparing to retire, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of craftsmanship, problem-solving and dedication to automotive history.
In a recent interview, Andy reflected on the work that made his time at the museum so meaningful. A lifelong lover of vintage cars, he said he was especially drawn to the museum because of its focus on engineering. That combination of history and hands-on mechanical challenge made the role unlike anything else in his career.
Over the years, Andy helped restore some of the most unusual and complex vehicles in the collection. Many were one-of-a-kind cars with no replacement parts available, which meant solutions had to be created from scratch. In some cases, parts had to be repaired by hand. In others, they had to be made entirely from the ground up.
One of the projects he spoke about was the museum’s Audi, a car he described not as a restoration, but as a resurrection. That project alone took six and a half years to complete. He also reflected on work involving the Kuno, which presented unfamiliar mechanical challenges, and the 1933 Derby, a vehicle whose unique engineering required careful thought and custom fabrication, right down to making gaskets by hand.
For Andy, the most rewarding part of the job was often the engine work. He spoke about enjoying the process of taking something apart, figuring out why it was not working and bringing it back to life. That curiosity and persistence helped preserve vehicles that few people ever expected to see running again.
As he looks ahead to retirement, Andy said this was probably the most challenging job he has ever had, and also one of the most meaningful. He shared that while it may not feel real yet, he knows he will miss the museum deeply.
He also offered heartfelt thanks to Alain Cerf, whom he described as a mentor and idol, as well as the Cerf Family for making his years at the museum so special.
Andy’s work has touched countless vehicles and helped shape the museum visitors know today. His skill, patience and passion have played an important role in preserving the stories behind these extraordinary machines.
We thank Andy for his 18 years of dedication to the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum and wish him all the best in his retirement.