Firm rebuilds 100 totals annually;
sells and carries its own paper
(reprinted from Auto Body Repair News)
Vehicle complexity is something that Clark Thomas understands. In fact, he knows the subject so well that he has become a specialist in rebuilding insurance-totaled Dodge Colts and Mitsubishi, Mirages, two relatively simple vehicles built in Japan by Mitsubishi.
Clark's firm, known as CAT (Clark's Autos and Trucks), rebuilds 100 collision-damaged Colts and Mirages each year. It sells, warrantees and finances them to select clientele, and nets about $1,000 each.
Why Colts and Mirages? Because there are a lot of them in use in Los Angeles a high percentage of them are totaled even when the damage is not too severe, salvage prices are low, and they are looked upon with favor by commuters because of gas, mileage capability. Thomas told ABRN that he purchases 115 to 120 vehicles a year, reworks about 100 of them and keeps the others for parts. He won't bid on them unless they have less than 50,000 -on the odometer, are clean, and are hit in only one body section, preferably a front corner. Thomas says he spends one day a week checking the Los Angeles area salvage yards, pays between $500 and $2,000 per vehicle, and processes them as rapidly as possible through his small two-bay shop employing one combo body and paint man, one mechanic. (must also know electrical), and one detail man.
He keeps three cars on display on his used car lot, plus three cars waiting to be repaired.
Aftermarket sheet metal is used on all repairs, but all of that metal is re-primed before top coats are applied.
All buyers are advised that the cars are insurance-totaled, and this information is also included on the title. In fact, Thomas told ABR that many buyers personally examine the collision-damaged vehicle before repairs are commenced. Purchase requirements include one half down (cannot be borrowed from another source), 12 percent simple interest and a maximum financing period of 18 months. Thomas purchases a credit report on each buyer (less than $.00) and requires a certificate of insurance to make sure the loan is insurance-protected.
The CAT used car lot, office and shop are in the downtown area facing a major boulevard. Thomas owns the property and could easily sell it and stop working. But he enjoys what he is doing, feels that he is providing a worthwhile service to the people of the community and, in addition, finds the work extremely rewarding. "I've been here all my life, I know people, they know me, and everyone knows word is my bond," Thomas explained to ABRN. "And besides that, specializing in simple vehicles makes life in the collision repair world much simpler."
Car Guy Goes Hybrid
Local Publisher takes the Plunge.
(reprinted from September 2007 Boulevard Sentinel)
Tom Topping, retired auto mechanic and publisher of the Boulevard Sentinel, shocked his car culture friends last month when he started driving a 2000 Honda Insight, a hybrid gas and electric vehicle. Topping, known for keeping his autos a very long time, had just about worn out his 1985 Toyota Celica, which he had been driving since 1999.
An Eagle Rock business owner and fellow auto
racing enthusiast Clark Thomas, of Clark's Autos and Trucks, had been telling
Topping of the virtues of the Honda Insights for a couple of years, when the
price of fuel finally got to the point Topping could no longer stand it.
"I don't really drive that much, working from home," Tom said, "but the old Toyota was getting really ratty and it will probably be good for business to drive a decent looking car."
"This car was a little cheaper than the ones Clark usually sells. It had a lot of miles on it. It's kinda tired so it only gets about 40 miles a gallon." Topping said he liked the optional 6 disc CD changer and upgraded sound system his car came with.
"It performs pretty darn good", he added. "When the battery pack is all charged up it can really scoot."
The Honda Insight is a two seater hatchback that has a three cylinder 1000 cc engine (about 60 cubic inches). Unlike the Toyota Prius hybrids, that can run on electricity or gasoline, the Insight uses electricity to boost the power of the very small engine. The system then re-collects the energy normally wasted during braking or going downhill and re-charges the batteries to supplement the engine power.
When the Insight is in tip top shape it is not uncommon for owners to report as much as 75 miles per gallon out of them. The Insights have a chassis that is made completely out of aluminum, and only weigh about 1800 pounds. The gasoline and electrical systems are arranged so the cars are perfectly balanced. Topping, an experienced race car driver said, "It handles pretty good!"
He added, "It is fun to get into conversations with people about electric cars, even though this is really a hybrid."
Clark Thomas has made a great business out of rebuilding and selling salvage vehicles. He says, when asked about the integrity of a repaired salvage vehicle, "Take a look at the finished product. Let's go for a test drive. See for yourself."
Clark's Autos and Trucks is located at 4661 Eagle Rock Boulevard, and is open 6 days a week. If you're ready for a hybrid Honda Insight, a Mitsubishi Lancer or a Dodge Dakota or Durango, stop by and talk to him. He may just have what you are looking for.
4661 Eagle Rock Boulevard
Los Angeles, California, 90041
323 256 9004
| Clarks Autos and Trucks |