AUTOMOTIVE RESTORATION COMPANY
Metal Fabricators, Metal Shapers, Auto Paint Technicians, Auto Upholsterers
Born in Chicago in 1949, Bob lived the Muscle Car Era on the streets of Chicago. At Skip's Drive, US 30 Great Lakes Dragway, Oswego and Byron, all knew Bob Lorkowski. Originally drag racing a 1938 Chevy Tudor with a 4 speed Hilborne injected small block, he then graduated to a flip top glass bodied Anglia "Scorpio" big block B altered competition eliminator. His tow car was a 1969 L78 Nova.
Bob's first street rod was a rotary powered 1948 Thames Panel Delivery. He finished in time to travel to '76 Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Bob then turned his passion for cars into a business in 1978 by starting Classic Auto Rebuilding Service in Bruce, Wisconsin and this led to his eventual expansion to the current facility, L'CARS Automotive Specialties in Cameron, Wisconsin.
Bob is a self taught fabricator, welder, mechanic, designer, and body and paint technician. His first national recognition came in a 1977 Hot Rod Magazine feature. His personal goal is to be part of winning Best of Show at Pebble Beach. Though this still eludes him, his personal 1928 Daimler won Best of Show in Melbourn Australia and his clients have won Major awards in Italy, Germany, France and England.
Bob has over 40 years of experience in automotive related fields and is a member of NSRA, CCCA, AACA, RROC, ABC, BOC, Appraisal Affiliations, Expert Witness, ASA, and the IAAA. He has also served as a chief class judge at Pebble Beach and European Concours. Bob is also on the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Foundation Committee, Advisory Council, and District Finance Chairman for the B.S.A.
Terry first started with L'Cars in 1988 as the Office Manager. She was instrumental in the expansion of the company as the AAM Products division was founded and diversified from L'Cars main focus of Automotive Restoration to HVLP Paint Spray Guns, residential and commercial awnings, and Auto upholstery. She worked as manager of all departments for a tenure of 5 years.
In 2004 Terry reunited with the company, resuming her role as Office Manager. She resides here in Cameron with her daughter. Her passions include family, work, and motorcycles. Making use of her years of riding and motorcycle parts experience, she has designed her own custom bike. With the help and expertise of our Metal and Upholstery Departments and a local licensed motorcycle manufacturer, Terry is riding around on a "Radical" One-of-a-Kind Custom Chopper! She loves sharing ideas with other enthusiasts looking to build their own bikes.
Blaine first began working on cars at age 14 when he purchased his first one, a 1969 Dodge. He attended the University of Minnesota-Morris for 3 years, and then Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, graduating with an Associates Degree in Autobody Technology. Blaine received the Ron Fournier Sheet Metal Workshop Certificate.
His specialty is metal working, primarily sheet metal shaping and fabrication in steel, aluminum, stainless, copper, brass, etc. Blaine works on a variety of cars, bikes, planes, snowmobiles, anything made of metal. He has over 16 years of metal working and automobile experience, and is also a member of the Guild of Metalworkers.
Blaine has been involved in many highly shown restorations with many of those restorations being Pebble Beach show cars. The cars include but are not limited to the following: Rolls Royce, Bugatti, Talbot Lago, and Mercedes. He says he enjoys a wide variety of metal working projects that continuously challenge and educate him.
Born in the late 40's, Jim almost immediately had a passion for working on automobiles, and since starting to work on them seriously at age 16, has spent nearly 3/4 of his life working on his passion and his hobby.
As a world class wood craftsman Jim has many years of on the job training and self taught knowledge. Jim has also attended several Rolls Royce Certified Seminars, and is always seeking more knowledge and new ways to perfect his profession.
Jim's major expertise comes in the design and construction of wood coach, veneer dashes, electrical, and chassis.
Personal accomplishments are many for him but a few highlights include; Pebble Beach award winning cars, 1937 PIII Sedan Deville, 1937 PIII Rebody (Rex), a number of Bugattis, and having the privilege of working on several other award winning cars.
Jesse is not sure at what age he started working on cars but that is all he can remember doing or wanting to do, and would guess it to be about 12 or 13 years old. Jesse received his training at Wyoming Technical Institute, graduating with Associates Degrees in Upholstery, Street Rod Fabrication, and Autobody Technology.
Jesse's main focus since joining L'Cars has been the reupholstering of classic and late model vehicles, not limited to just automobiles. He is also experienced in boats, motorcycles, campers, and cloth covers of all shapes and sizes.
Since he has been employed with L'Cars, he has had the privilege of working on many extravagant cars. He feels each is a great accomplishment because of the uniqueness of each one.
Wayne's passion with cars began when he was just a kid. Working on cars in his brothers garage from the time he was 15 years old. Out of high school Wayne attended Illinois Central Collage Where he studied mechanical drafting and machine tool. Wayne has also work as an electrical apprentice for 3 years. But he has always been drawn back to his passion of cars. after working in a collision shop for nearly 10 years earning certification in frame and unibody repair, Spies Hecker, PPG and DuPont paint systems. Wayne found himself wanting to move into restoration, fabrication and custom builds. which he has been doing now for past 17 years. not wanting to departmentalize Wayne has mastered all aspects of restoration and custom builds including: Street Rod Fabrication, Sheet Metal Fabrication, Mig, Tig, and Gas welding, Paint and Body, Assembly, Wiring, Interior and Convertible tops.
Since coming to L'Cars Wayne has become a Project Manager. Taking a project from its conception to award winning completion. Working closely with the car owners and utilizing other talent from our shop. Wayne has also done consulting and inspection of hundreds of cars for clients here in the US and Internationally. Wayne is involved in his local car club. And when he can find the time he is working on restoring a 1971 GTO. A clone to the car him and his wife dated in more than 25 years ago.
Barry has over 40 years experience in both restoring and owning all things mechanical. Starting as a flight mechanic in the Vietnam Conflict, he has personally restored and tours the Midwest with his stable of cars: a 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1, a 1959 Ford Skyliner Retractable, a 1961 Austin Healy, and a 1970 MGB. He currently enjoys working on everything from one cylinder to sixteen. Barry has built several V12 Rolls Royce engines which are currently touring the country with great power and reliability.
I have been around cars since I could walk, growing up around my uncle /best friend that started dirt track racing before I was born. I helped and learned working on everything from drive train to suspension. When he stopped racing my interests continued modifying everything I owned from age 12 on. My first was a F250 Ford and then anything that could burn fuel or rubber . At age 16 I realized this was my career path. I wanted to work on cars that most people can only look at from the other side of a velvet rope or see someone else driving . I went to Wyo Tech for training in automotive body and Chassis repair, Custom Paint and Upholstery became certified and have been working alongside some of the Top craftsmen in the industry. I am gaining the knowledge and experience to take a project from the bare chassis stage all the way to a beautifully trimmed interior and make the one of a kind car that much better.
Jens has been working on cars and anything with wheels since he was 11 years old. He bought his first car on his 14th birthday and has been hooked ever since. Over the past 8 years, Jens has worked as a Harley Davidson mechanic, Collision Repair Technician, Body and Paint Technician, and general automotive technician.
In 2004 he attended Wyoming Technical Institute and received a diploma in Collision/Refinishing Technology with Specialty Auto Fabrication in Street Rod, Performance Engine Building, and Chassis Fabrication. Jens also received certification in Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling.
Jens has taken part in several restorations including his current projects, a 1970 Camaro Z28, and a 1969 Charger RT.
Jens is excited to be a part of L'Cars and knows that each project is unique and enjoys the challenges that each can present along with learning the history behind each restoration.
As a young boy my father took me to car shows with his Camaro which was like a gas and fire mix. I was in love with cars and colors, and always dreamed of building something exotic. I started out fabricating and fixing things at an early age on the farm. As the years past I found myself getting more and more involved in specialty builds and custom welding projects, which then led me into an Auto body major at Highland Community College. While attending HCC I fell in love with the art of fabricating and refinishing. Through the two and a half year program I bettered my welding skills and overall knowledge of restoration. After graduating on honor roll I went out into the world with an open mind and found L' cars, where I can now explore the rest of my creativity with every day build challenges.
I had a passion for cars ever since I stepped foot into my bigfoot power wheels truck. I would help my dad with his Jeep whenever he was working on it. After high school I lived in the real world for a few years and didn't like so I decided to go back to school for auto collision and auto mechanics. I have a degree in both areas. I also went to school for welding and machine tool. I'm also ASE and I-Car certified in auto body and ASE certified in mechanics.
I have always had a love for cars since I was a little kid. Through high school I would help friends on their cars and install sound systems in my own. After graduating, I decided to pursue a career in business administration. I received my associates from UW Rock and my bachelor's degree from Upper Iowa University. Over the span of eight years I worked my way up to produce manager of a grocery store, but decided that it was not the life for me. A job opportunity opened up at L' Cars and I moved north to pursue my dream.
Automobiles have been a passion and hobby of mine since I was a child and began this passion assembling plastic model kits. This interest in automobiles has evolved over the years to include maintenance and restoration of antiques and classics. I have 40+ years of automotive repair and restoration experience ranging from antiques to sport and muscle cars. My knowledge of automotive design and function has been gained through many successes and a desire to do it right.
I graduated from Wyoming tech in 1999 with an Associates Degree in upholstery, street rod fabrication and auto body tech. Since graduation my main focus has been upholstering high end custom/ classic cars, and street rods. I am proud to be a part of L' Cars and look forward to the uniqueness and challenges of each project.
110 Poplar Avenue, Cameron WI 54822 | 715-458-2277
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm CST
