July - September - Auto Body Association
Transcription
July - September - Auto Body Association
NEWS REPORT Send all News Report articles to home address listed below: JULY-SEPTEMBER 2009 Clyde Nelson 1507 19th St. NW Turtle Lake, ND 58575-9492 701-448-2568 Cell 701-531-2938 Fax 701-448-2568 Email ndabnews@westriv.com Highlights: 2009 NDABA Retreat...................................................... 3-7 Publisher......................... Larry Berget Co-Editors..... Bonnie & Clyde Nelson Join Now Application....................................................................................... 7 2008-2009 Officers President........................Paul Mohagen Grafton, 352-3180 1st Vice President........... Ed Barnhardt Washburn, 462-3374 2nd Vice President................ Tom Ose Lisbon, 683-4462 Secretary-Treasurer.............Larry Graf Steele, 475-2260 Past President........................ Jeff Pfau New Rockford, 947-5511 Exec. Director.....Clarence Meidinger Edgeley, 493-2301, 493-2788 (h) Board of Directors District 1.......................Robert Zantow Forman, 724-6368 District 2..................... Kent Meidinger Edgeley, 493-2301 District 3...................... Bryant Retzlaff Bismarck, 663-7484 District 4..................... Jerome Hohertz Cooperstown, 797-3418 District 5............................................... District 6............................................... District 7..........................Ron Knutson Devils Lake, 662-3324 District 8...................... Bryce Hancock Medicine Lake, MT, 406-789-2321 District 9.................... Scott Heintzman Fargo, 293-1266 District 10............................Miles Doll Bismarck, 258-9571 District 11....................... Mark Steinke Grand Forks, 792-2846 District 12............................................. 2009 Retreat Chairperson........................... Tom Ose Lisbon, 683-4462 Published quarterly for the North Dakota Auto Body Association. Copyright 2009 by the North Dakota Auto Body Association. All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced without written permission of Clyde Nelson, North Dakota Auto Body Association, 1507 19th St. NW, Turtle Lake, ND 58575-9492. VOL. 24, NO. 3 Contents Meeting Minutes - June 13, 2009..................................................................3 Next Meeting Information................................................................................ 3 NDABA Hall of Fame Award........................................................................4 NDABA Technician of the Year Award............................................................ 5 Customer Service 101..................................................................................... 10 Heritage Classics – Specializing in the Vintage and the Modern................13 Advertisers Gateway Chevrolet............................................................ Inside Front Cover Cedric Theel, Inc............................................................................................2 Luther Family Ford........................................................................................2 Luther Parts Express......................................................................................6 Fargo-Moorhead Auto Dealers.................................................................. 8-9 Minot Chrysler & Toyota Center.................................................................10 Midwest Auto Dealers Parts Association.....................................................11 Free For Members NDABA Classified Ads.................................................12 Stan Puklich Chevrolet................................................................................12 Corwin Wholesale Parts...............................................................................12 Hedahls Auto Parts.......................................................................................13 Westlie Motor Company..............................................................................14 Valley Imports..............................................................................................14 Rydell Auto Center.......................................................................................15 Dakotaland Autoglass, Inc...........................................................................16 Sturdevant’s Refinish Supply Center...........................................................16 St. Paul-Mpls. Wholesale Parts Association/dentsmart.....Inside Back Cover Ryan Chevrolet.............................................................................Back Cover Thank You!!!! Issue February-March Issues for NDABA News Report Copy Deadline Mar. 1 (Note: Dates for the pre-convention issue may vary.) May-June August-September November-December June 1 Sept. 1 Dec. 1 Printing Date Mar. 15 June 15 Sept. 15 Dec. 15 CLASSIFIED ADS: Classified ads are divided into two categories - member and nonmember. Each member is allowed 5 lines, 25 characters per line, plus name & phone number. If you’d like to put your address in, please include that within the 5 line, 25 character portion. FREE to members only. For nonmembers the charge is 50 cents a word, including the words, “For Sale” and name, address and phone number. Initials and numbers count as words. All ad copy must be received by the 15th of the month prior to publication. See ad elsewhere in this magazine. POSTMASTER: Send Form 3579 to Clyde Nelson, NDABA, 1507 19th St. NW, Turtle Lake, ND 58575-9492. Send front cover with address only. 1 2 HIGHLIGHTS 2009 NDABA Retreat Dead Colt Creek - Lisbon, ND director of enrollment does an excellent job for the college. As we wrap up our final report on the 2009 retreat at Lisbon, Since the Bobcat Plant was closed on the day of our we would again like to thank the many people who attended. scheduled tour, we toured the Sundale Hudderite Colony. Most Each and every one of you helped to make our weekend a of the group toured the Jorgenson’s car business but a few success. ladies enjoyed a tour of the Opera House and the North Dakota We had a great location at Dead Colt Creek which is very Veterans Home. Some people enjoyed golfing at the Lisbon neat and well kept. We had a beautiful weekend weather Bissell Golf Course. Evening entertainment was provided by wise, delicious catered meals, excellent speakers, and Raw Sugar and the Ole Olson Trio. doorprizes for everyone. Two speakers from our very first The NDABA would like convention attended. Mickey to thank all the vendors Mazzuca and his wife Sue for their support and also came from Hudson, Florida their donation of prizes. It and Amos Stackhouse and is much appreciated by the his wife Marian came from organization. Frankenmuth, Michigan. We gave two awards, one We would again like to to Clarence Meidinger for thank Dakota Bumper and NDABA Hall of Fame and Body Supply for providing one to Todd Ose who works our speaker on Friday. Chuck at Lisbon Body Shop for Hayes with Akzo Nobel Technician of the Year. Coatings spoke on waterborne paints. Tom & Lana Ose Thanks also to NDSCS Co-Chairmen for our speaker on Saturday. What a view behind Tom and Lana Ose! Lisbon, ND Karen Reilly who is the Remaining charter members of NDABA. A real bull session! June 13, 2009 Meeting - Dead Colt Creek, Lisbon, ND The meeting was called to order by President Paul Mohagen at 9:00 am. Present were Tom Ose, Clarence Meidinger, Ed Barnhardt, Kent Meidinger, Stan Freeman, Clyde Nelson, Jim Rostad, Miles Doll, Bryce Hancock Jr., Paul Mohagen and Larry Graf. The minutes of the past meeting were read. The financial report was given. Stan moved we accept the reports as given, Jim seconded, motion carried. Area reports were given, most shops had a very good winter. Now the amount of work varies, from slow to backlogged. Tom talked about who should keep the convention supplies until the next convention, so we know where to find them. Paul and Ed will work on a new date for the PPG seminar. Jim moved to accept Larry’s resignation as treasurer and secretary, Miles seconded, motion carried. Ed made a motion that we continue with the Magazine, Bryce seconded, the motion carried. Ed moved we give $250.00 to each of the Skills US winners that move on to the national competition. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 am. NEXT MEETING Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, 11 am Chieftain, Carrington ATTENTION NDABA MEMBERS!! We would like to keep our email address list up to date. Also, if you have an employee who would like to know about association’s happenings, please supply us with an email address, so that can happen. You can contact Larry @ 701-391-8323 or Clyde @ 701-448-2568 or ndabnews@westriv.com. Please let us know if you have an addition or change to our list. THANKS!! 3 4 HIGHLIGHTS 2009 NDABA Retreat Dead Colt Creek - Lisbon, ND ND Auto Body Associaton Hall Of Fame Award Clarence Meidinger, retired owner of the Edgeley Collision Center, was selected at this year’s retreat at Dead Colt Creek Recreation Area near Lisbon, to be awarded membership to the ND Auto Body Hall of Fame. Clarence is a charter member of the Association and has contributed greatly to the Association and its functions. Currently, Clarence holds the office of Executive Director. He doesn’t miss many meetings. Clarence Meidinger C l a r e n c e ’s h o m e t o w n is Lehr. He received his education there. You can tell he comes from that part of ND when he talks to you. English is likely his second language. Prior to a tour of duty with the US Marine Corps (19511953) in the Korea Conflict, Clarence farmed and worked for John Deere and Chevrolet dealers in Lehr. That’s when that second language came in handy. After his discharge from the Marines he attended Clarence Meidinger (l) 2009 Hall of Fame and graduated from NDSSS Recipient and Clyde Nelson, presenter. in Auto Body Repair (1957). Upon completion in Thank you, Clarence, Wahpeton he worked for a short time for for your contribution GM dealers in Breckenridge, MN and to the ND Auto Body Groton, SD. In 1959 he started Kulm Body Shop in partnership with his brother-in-law. Association and In 1965 he started Edgeley Body Shop and Congratulations! retired in 1997 because of health reasons. Chuck Hayes (l) speaker, Tom Ose (r) Tom Ose, Retreat Co-Chair But, as Kent says, he is still there every day. Besides being active with the NDABA, Clarence has been active with a number of local clubs. He’s been in the American Legion for nearly 50 years, past Post Commander, and past Post Adjutant, 30 years with the Edgeley Lions Club, serving as past President and has served as a Zone Chairman for the Lions organization. He is a member of the Valley City Flag Corps, past president, a member of the ND Roughrider Impala Club, member of the Wesley Methodist Church, member of the Edgeley Country Club where Adeline says he mostly just eats, and past member of the Edgeley city council. Clarence’s hobbies include a 1956 Pontiac 2DR, a 1965 Chevrolet Impala, and a 1949 Pontiac, sleeping and napping. The last two are according to his wife. Clarence also enjoys driving his cars to car shows in North Dakota, Minnesota and South Dakota. He will also attend a swap meet once in a while. Clarence and his wife Adeline have five children: Kevin (deceased), Gerald in Wahpeton, Jan Alan in Fargo, Karen in Barney, ND and Kent in Edgeley. Karen and her husband Daniel have a daughter, Hope, 4-years-old, and Kent and his wife Colette have a son MacKenzie 19, and a daughter McKell, 8-years-old. MacKenzie will attend NDSCS in Auto Collision this fall. That will make it a third generation at NDSCS and in the Auto Collision industry from Clarence’s family. Karen Reilly (l) speaker, Tom Ose (r) HIGHLIGHTS 2009 NDABA Retreat Dead Colt Creek - Lisbon, ND ND Auto Body Associaton Technician Of The Year Todd Ose, auto body technician employed at Lisbon Body Shop, was awarded the Technician of the Year award by the ND Auto Body Association at their second bi-annual retreat. Todd received his award at the retreat held near Lisbon at the Dead Colt Recreation Area on June 12th & 13th. The Association board of directors voted, choosing that person whom they believe has contributed greatly to the auto body profession. They try to choose a person who lives in the area where the retreat or convention is being held. Todd lives in Lisbon. He graduated from Lisbon High School and from NDSSS in Wahpeton. He has also attended many paint schools throughout the United States to keep up on the latest technology. Todd began his career at Lisbon Body Shop in 1988 and he is still there. Todd’s family includes his wife Mary Jo, sons Jordan, Aaron, and Mathew. He has one daughter Destini, and his parents Tom & Lana Ose. Todd’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, motorcycling, camping, playing with his three dogs, canoeing and hanging out with friends and family. Todd Ose and Tom Ose Thank you, Todd, for your contribution to the auto body industry and Congratulations!. Door Prize Table. Visiters (speakers) from Convention #1 - 25 years ago. Mickey Mazzuca (l) & Amos Stackhouse (r). Retreat Banquet 5 6 PARTS Free Same Day Metro Delivery One Credit Application Gets You Virtually Every Franchise EXPRESS Hassle Free Returns Luther Bloomington Acura Direct.....................................952-887-0600 USA.......................................800-451-5078 Luther White Bear Acura Direct.....................................651-481-3180 USA.......................................800-852-3992 Luther Park Place Motor Cars Direct...................................507-535-3225 USA.......................................800-745-1358 BMW Luther Park Place Motor Cars Direct...................................507-535-3225 USA.......................................800-745-1358 Luther Brookdale Buick Pontiac GMC Direct..................................763-549-1565 USA.......................................800-341-7871 Luther John Hirsch's Cambridg e Motors USA.....................................800-247-1168 Luther Family Buick Pontiac GMC Direct..................................701-356-7160 USA.......................................800-347-0074 CHEVROLET Luther Brookdale Chevrolet Dir ect...............................763-561-9221 USA........................................800-727-0427 Luther Hudson Chevrolet Pontiac GMC Direct (WI).........................715-386-2341 Direct (MN)........................651-436-5231 USA.......................................800-221-3711 Luther Family Chevrolet Direct..................................218-723-6844 USA.......................................800-551-8638 Luther John Hirsch's Cambridge Motors USA.....................................800-247-1168 CHRYSLER Luther Brookdale Chrysler J eep Dodge Direct..................................763-536-7644 USA.......................................800-442-3004 Luther Hudson Chrysler Dodge Jeep Direct..................................715-377-5396 USA......................................800-236-1333 Luther John Hirsch's Cambridge Motors USA....................................800-247-1168 Luther Brookdale Chrysler J eep Dodge Direct..................................763-536-7644 USA.......................................800-442-3004 Luther Hudson Chrysler Dodge Jeep Direct..................................715-377-5396 USA.......................................800-236-1333 Luther John Hirsch's Cambridge Motors USA....................................800-247-1168 Luther North Country Ford Lincoln Mercury Direct.................................763-259-2282 USA.......................................877-417-4203 Luther Family Ford Direct..................................701-277-4121 USA.......................................800-253-8712 Where Quality, Price And Service Meet www.lutherauto.com Your Total Source For Wholesale Parts Luther Brookdale Buick Pontiac GMC Direct...............................763-549-1565 USA........................................800-341-7871 Luther Hudson Chevrolet Pontiac GMC Direct (WI).........................715-386-2341 Direct (MN)........................651-436-5231 USA.......................................800-221-3711 Luther Family Buick Pontiac GMC Dir ect..................................701-356-7160 USA.......................................800-347-0074 Luther Brookdale Honda Direct................................763-561-2222 USA......................................800-899-8900 Luther Hopkins Honda Direct................................952-908-8585 USA......................................800-328-6016 Luther Infiniti of Bloomington Direct..................................952-885-7050 Toll Free........................................888-85PARTS 888-857-2787 Luther White Bear Isuzu Direct..................................651-481-3180 USA.......................................800-852-3992 Jaguar Land Rover of Minneapolis Direct..................................763-222-2280 USA.......................................800-328-8436 Luther Brookdale Chrysler Jeep Dodge Direct.................................763-536-7644 USA.......................................800-442-3004 Luther Hudson Chrysler Dodge Jeep Direct.................................715-377-5396 USA.......................................800-236-1333 Luther John Hirsch's Cambridge Motors USA..................................800-247-1168 Luther Nissan Kia Direct................................651-453-9296 USA....................................800-377-4125 Luther Park Place Motor Cars Direct...............................507-535-3225 USA....................................800-745-1358 Jaguar Land Rover of Minneapolis Dir ect..............................763-222-2290 USA..................................800-328-8436 L O T U S LOTUS Jaguar Land Rover of Minneapolis Dir ect..............................763-222-2290 USA..................................800-328-8436 Luther North Country Ford Lincoln Mercury Direct.................................763-259-2282 USA.......................................877-417-4203 Luther Brookdale Mazda Direct...............................763-503-4695 USA.....................................877-566-7171 Luther Brookdale Mitsubishi Direct..................................763-503-4695 USA.......................................877-566-7171 NISSAN Luther Nissan Kia Direct..................................651-453-9296 USA.....................................800-377-4125 Parts Express Director Ken Provo Mobile: 612-619-8618 Toll Free: 1-877-LUTHERS Fax: 952-258-8956 Daily Deliveries To Duluth, St. Cloud, Rochester, Mankato, Eau Claire, WI & More! Largest Family Of Dealerships In The Midwest Luther Brookdale Buick Pontiac GMC Direct...................................763-549-1565 USA........................................800-341-7871 Luther Hudson Chevrolet Pontiac GMC Direct (WI).........................715-386-2341 Direct (MN)........................651-436-5231 USA.......................................800-221-3711 Luther John Hirsch's Cambridge Motors USA....................................800-247-1168 Luther Family Buick Pontiac GMC Direct..................................701-356-7160 USA.......................................800-347-0074 Scion City Dir ect.................................763-566-0313 USA.......................................800-328-2486 Rudy Luther Scion Direct..................................763-222-2170 USA.......................................800-742-5690 Luther Bloomington Subaru Direct..................................952-887-0600 USA.......................................800-451-5078 Luther White Bear Subaru Direct...................................651-481-3180 USA........................................800-852-3992 Luther Toyota City Dir ect.................................763-566-0313 USA.......................................800-328-2486 Rudy Luther Toyota Direct..................................763-222-2170 USA.......................................800-742-5690 VOLKSWAGEN Luther Burnsville Volkswagen Direct...................................952-895-4371 USA.......................................800-328-2842 Luther Park Place Motor Cars Dir ect.................................507-535-3225 USA.......................................800-745-1358 Luther West Side Volkswagen Direct...................................952-374-0700 USA...................................888-464-5426 Luther Hudson Chevrolet Winnebago Direct (WI).........................715-386-2341 Direct (MN)........................651-436-5231 USA.......................................800-221-3711 General Motors Luther Brookdale Chevrolet Dir ect...............................763-561-9221 USA........................................800-727-0427 Luther Brookdale Buick Pontiac GMC Dir ect...............................763-549-1565 USA........................................800-341-7871 Luther Family Chevrolet Direct..................................218-723-6844 USA.......................................800-551-8638 Luther John Hirsch's Cambridge Motors USA....................................800-247-1168 Luther Hudson Chevrolet Pontiac GMC Direct (WI).........................715-386-2341 Direct (MN)........................651-436-5231 USA.......................................800-221-3711 Luther Family Buick Pontiac GMC Direct..................................701-356-7160 USA.......................................800-347-0074 AC Delco & 3M Luther Brookdale Buick Pontiac GMC Direct...................................763-549-1565 USA........................................800-341-7871 Providing Quality Service Since 1952 HIGHLIGHTS Charlie Jorgenson (l), Steve Jorgenson (r), Steve’s son in center. Bus/Tour driver Harland Wilke. 2009 NDABA Retreat Dead Colt Creek - Lisbon, ND 7 8 9 10 Customer Service 101 Published in the June 2009 issue of BodyShop Business A CARSTAR executive once told me that he advises franchisees to train their front-office staff to come out from behind the counter and greet each customer warmly and enthusiastically when they arrive at the store. That might seem trivial to some, but I’m a firm believer in that approach based on a recent experience I had at a restaurant. I took my son out to dinner at a local pizza establishment, and we wanted to get in and out pretty fast because we had the driving range, batting cage and putt-putt course to hit, all in one night. The hostess said we should seat ourselves, so we did. We then proceeded to twiddle our thumbs for about 10 minutes while absolutely no one greeted us or arrived at our table. I’m not easily perturbed, but as a former server who was trained to greet customers within 30 to 45 seconds of their entering the restaurant, I was thoroughly miffed. I got up and told my son we were going to eat somewhere else. But before I left, I marched into the kitchen and announced that they had just lost business and we were going down the street to their competition. Walking out of the restaurant, I half expected to see someone chase after us and plead with us to come back. I mean, with the economy the way it is, every little bit of business helps, right? What a fool I was. We were ignored when we walked into the restaurant, and we were ignored on the way out. We drove about a couple blocks down the street to the next restaurant, which turned out to be Applebee’s. We walked toward the front door, and I could feel that my collar was still hot. In fact, I think I was boring a hole in the ground with my eyes, so I was caught a little off-guard when a girl swung the door open wide for us and said, “Welcome to Applebee’s!” It looked as though she was one of two hostesses manning the front of the house, and I figured that they probably alternate seating guests and opening that door. And I thought, “What a brilliant customer service tactic!” It sounds trivial, but it was just the thing to brighten my mood. That one gesture of opening the door said to me, “We’re glad you’re here and we want to earn your business.” I’ll bet it’s one of their standard operating procedures. Once inside, I saw that the restaurant was bustling. Everyone had either food or drinks, and no one sat unattended. We were served quickly and efficiently, and in about 40 minutes we were on our way to the fun park follies. What irks me about the first restaurant is that a man with an apron came out twice to service take-out customers and made eye contact with us twice...yet didn’t tell anyone we hadn’t been greeted or served yet. At the restaurant I worked at years ago, I was trained to greet a customer regardless if it was your job or your particular “zone,” to at least say “Welcome to ABC,” place a couple napkins down and tell the customer that their server would be right with them. It looked like the pizza place was understaffed, and it might have been due to the current economy, but this was a clear example of short-term cuts impacting long-term business. Bad strategy. So, here’s a question for you. How warmly and enthusiastically do you greet customers? What things do you do to convince them that you want their business bad and that there’s no need to get another estimate because this is the shop you want your baby fixed at? Don’t think it doesn’t matter because it does, and it’s even more important in today’s environment when repairs are hard to come by. And look, sometimes things get hectic and we can’t service a customer right away, but we should at least make them comfortable, offer them a beverage and let them know that they will be attended to in a few minutes. I know some business owners who feel that their places of business are no different than their homes, and they treat customers just the same as they would houseguests. I think that’s a good philosophy to live by. I know whose house I’m going back to next time. Jason Stahl, Editor, BodyShop Business E-mail comments to jstahl@babcox.com The Midwest’s Most Extensive OEM Parts Inventory Call Us For All Your Wholesale Parts collisionlink ® Your Parts Pros SINCE 1961 Chevrolet and Full Line GM Parts FRIENDLY CHEVROLET Ford Mercury Lincoln APPLE FORD SHAKOPEE Direct (763) 786-4046 Fax (763) 786-1823 Wats 1-800-252-4561 www.friendlychev.com Email markvogtlin@friendlychev.com 7501 Hwy 65 NE Fridley, MN 55432 Mark Vogtlin, Parts Manager Direct (952) 445-3022 Fax Local (952) 445-0340 Fax Nat’l 1-800-621-2264 Wats 1-800-252-5837 Email began@appleautos.com Direct (952) 908-8585 Fax (952) 908-8581 Direct Wats 1-800-328-6016 Email tim.lewis@hopkinshonda.com 1624 Weston Court Shakopee, MN 55379 Brad Egan, Parts Manager LUTHER HOPKINS HONDA 250 Fifth Avenue South Hopkins, MN 55343 Tim Lewis, Parts Manager Honda RUDY LUTHER TOYOTA SCION Direct (763) 222-2170 Fax (763) 222-2171 Direct Wats 1-800-742-5690 Email tony.thompson@rudyluthertoyota.com LUTHER INFINITI OF BLOOMINGTON Direct (952) 885-7050 Fax (952) 885-7051 Direct Wats 1-800-848-4912 ext. 2293 Email www.infiniti-bloomington.com RUDY LUTHER’S BURNSVILLE VOLKSWAGEN Direct (952) 895-4371 Office (952) 894-3500 Fax (952) 895-4374 Direct Wats 1-800-328-2842 Email parts@burnsvillevw.com LUTHER NISSAN-KIA Direct (651) 453-9296 Fax (651) 457-5009 Direct Wats 1-800-377-4125 Email mauricio.decaroli@luthernissankia.com LUTHER BROOKDALE MAZDA MITSUBISHI Direct (763) 503-4695 Office (763) 566-5600 Wats (877) 566-7171 Fax (763) 503-4764 Email mark.manthey@lutherauto.com Toyota 8805 Wayzata Boulevard Golden Valley, MN 55426 Tony Thompson, Parts Manager Scion 8030 Humboldt Avenue South Bloomington, MN 55431 Karen Breitbarth, Parts Manager Infiniti Volkswagen 12020 Highway 35W South Burnsville, MN 55337 Erich Wunderlich, Parts Manager Nissan 1470 50th Street East Inver Grove, MN 55077 Mauricio Decaroli, Parts Manager Kia Mazda Mitsubishi 7235 Brooklyn Boulevard Brooklyn Center, MN 55429 Mark Manthey, Parts Manager Acura BLOOMINGTON ACURA/SUBARU 7801 Lyndale Avenue South Bloomington, MN 55420 Larry Bastien, Parts Manager Subaru Phone (952) 346-1170 Fax (952) 567-7232 Parts Dept. Email lutherhyundaimitsubishi.com Parts Mgr. Email jason.gemmell@lutherauto.com JAGUAR LANDROVER MINNEAPOLIS Jaguar Direct (763) 222-2280 Land Rover Direct (763) 222-2290 Fax (763) 222-2281 Nat’l 1-800-328-8436 Email mike.prok@downtownjaguar.com 1750 American Blvd. West Bloomington, MN 55431 Jason Gemmell, Parts Manager 8905 Wayzata Blvd. • Golden Valley, MN 55426 Michael Prok, Parts Manager MAPLEWOOD IMPORTS Porsche 2780 N Highway 61 Maplewood, MN 55109 Howard Kokaisel, Parts Manager MAPLEWOOD AUDI Audi Mercedes-Benz 2450 Maplewood Drive Maplewood, MN 55109 Eric Prosser, Parts Manager SEARS IMPORTED AUTOS 13500 Wayzata Boulevard Minnetonka, MN 55305 BMW Reid Willemsen, MB Parts Manager Wayne Lais, BMWParts Manager LYNN CERMAK, Sales Representative Office (763) 241-8640 • Mobile (612) 309-2000 Email cermaklynn@aol.com Rev. 5/09 Direct (952) 887-0600 Fax (952) 881-1787 Wats (800) 451-5078 Email parts@bloomingtonacurasubaru.com LUTHER BLOOMINGTON HYUNDAI Hyundai Jaguar Land Rover Lotus www.OEConnection.com/CL Supporting Members of: Direct (651) 766-2333 Fax (651) 766-2337 Toll Free 1-866-695-9777 Email hkokaisel@maplewoodimports.com Direct (651) 494-1433 Direct Wats 1-888-249-0285 Fax (651) 494-1437 Email eprosser@maplewoodaudi.com Office (952) 512-6555 MB Fax (952) 512-6623 Mercedes Wats (866) 821-6014 Office (952) 512-6564 BMW Wats (866) 821-6013 Fax (952) 512-6589 Email reid.willemsen@searsimports.com Email waynel@searsimports.com Chippewa Valley Auto Body Association 11 12 Heritage Classics 13 — Specializing in the Vintage and the Modern By Mike LaLonde Tucked away at 407 South 22nd Street is a new business specializing in all phases of automotive restoration—from the classics to modern-day, hi-tech body work. “We are well known for our work on older car restoration, but we would like readers to know that we handle all phases of work on modern vehicles, specifically collision repair insurance claims,” said co-owner Mike Sommer. Sommer, along with partner John Pfliger, opened Heritage Classics about a year ago, but actually has been involved in the body-work business for a combined total of 25-plus years. According to John, the duo was renting space in the same shop for quite some time, working as independent, part-time professionals. “We both had our day jobs and were working nights in our shop on our individual projects. Eventually, the work load increased to the point where it was advantageous for us to quit our jobs and form Heritage Classics, which we now work on a full-time basis. Business has been good!” said Pfliger. That business is brisk was evident as CM visited the neat, clean shop. Several projects in various stages of completion were being worked on, neat stuff like a 1956 Plymouth convertible, a 1955 Dodge, and an early Camaro muscle car. The partners do work on all types of vehicles and are well- Michael Sommer and John Pfliger, Co-owners of Heritage Classics. photo by Mike Lalonde qualified to do collision repair on new vehicles, too. They say, “We really like to work on new vehicles, as they are so well put together today. The build quality of new vehicles is excellent in the fit and finish areas.” “For example, the vehicles coming out today from GM, Ford and Chrysler are world class and are actually easier to work on when it comes to collision repair, especially if we can use factory-quality parts.” “We work with individual customers and insurance adjusters to insure that the customer gets the best parts and workmanship. And, in N.D., vehicle owners are free to choose where they take their repair work. A lot of people don’t know that,” says Sommer. As far as restoring vintage vehicles, Sommer and Pfliger have the following advice: “Have a plan in mind as to the amount of work a vehicle will incur. We work with the customer to plan the job, from start to finish. A realistic budget is worked out.” “And we communicate constantly with the owner, so we are all on the same page. We also encourage the customers to do some work on the vehicle themselves, if they have the interest and skills. The customer then has a sense of accomplishment, along with us, when the restoration is completed and can save some money in the process.” Their favorite first vehicles? For Sommer, it was his 1968 Dodge Charger and, for Pfliger, it was a 1980 Mustang. As for their most memorable restorations, Sommer’s was a very rare 1958 Plymouth Fury, and Pfliger’s was a VW Beetle. “The compound curves on these Beetle bodies are awesome,” says Pfliger. Heritage Classics can be reached at mspaintguy@yahoo.com, and the partners invite readers to come to the shop and view work in progress. This article was originally published in the June 2009 issue of City Magazine. Mike LaLonde is a Bismarck writer/ photographer and is genuinely car crazy! 14 ATTENTION NDABA MEMBERS!! We would like to keep our email address list up to date. Also, if you have an employee who would like to know about association’s happenings, please supply us with an email address, so that can happen. You can contact Larry @ 701-391-8323 or Clyde @ 701-448-2568 or ndabnews@westriv.com. Please let us know if you have an addition or change to our list. THANKS!! 15 www.rydellcars.com staff has over 200 years of parts experience. parts department will ship parts to your door via our own truck (where avail able), SPEEDEE, Cross Country, Common Courier, UPS, or mail; whichever you prefer. parts department offers competitive prices and a “No-Hassle” return policy. inventory of Powertrain and Collision parts is the largest in North Dakota. At your satisfaction is #1 goal. Grand Forks, ND Toll-Free Nationwide: 1-800-354-7278 Parts Direct Local: 1-701-746-0412 Fax: 1-701-772-3377 Honda-Nissan: 1-800-344-1022 16 2601 S. Shirley Ave. 605.362.6950 1.800.582.5235 Jackson an LKQ Company 3215 Main Ave. 701.232.4715 1.888.831.7145 103 N. Maple 605.342.8839 1.866.544.3403