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My automotive career started by sweeping my
father's shop in the third grade. By age 11 I was working on lawn
mowers for customers. I grew up in Yates Center, Kansas, 100 miles
east of Wichita. I lost my father at age 11 and my mother continued
running an auto shop and parts store. When I was 19 I decided to
come to Wichita and work at Boeing Aircraft. After a couple years
I was laid off and I began working at several auto dealerships in
Wichita and last at the Ford dealership in Derby, Kansas. Feeling
like I could never be happy unless I was self-employed I found a
building to rent in Derby at K-15 and 71st Street South. I brought
to Derby the equipment from Yates Center and I started my own place
when I was 23. I lasted there till 1976 when a helper of mine created
a huge gas leak that spilled out onto the floor and a small spark
caused it to ignite from picking up exhaust pipe tubing. The building
was ruined so I was out of business till May of 1977 when I built
a new building at my present location. I have been at 200 West Washington
in Derby now for nearly 30 years. During this time I always thought
that Pontiac's engine had a lot of unique ideas that impressed me
and so in 1971 I started drag racing a 1958 Pontiac. We still have
that same car, but my wife now campaigns it and I now have a 1959
Pontiac. We both race at the same events and we haul both cars in
a 48 ft enclosed trailer to the races. So after 35 years of racing
Pontiacs I've gained quite a reputation of knowing how to make Pontiacs
run. In this same period we have kept up on the latest improvements
and equipment necessary to work on modern fuel injection computer-controlled
cars. I'm a Certified Master ASE Technician with LT-1 certification
for Advanced drive ability. We can repair almost any mechanical
problem with all brands except European and Diesel engines. Mike
Pierson has worked for me 2 1/2 years and has 20 years experience.
He carries certification with ASE in five areas of expertise. He
will soon be passing his tests to make him a Master Technician also.
We specialize in rear differential work, A/C and performance Pontiac
engines, yet we do alignments or electrical and can correct most
any problem when needed. |
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