Auto Masters Moves to California?

[vandornjim]

Hi Club Members,

Yesterdays Car Show was a great success, I will be letting you know in the next couple of days exactly how much we raised, as well as some pictures of the presentations. On a more somber note, our Sponsor, Jim Van Dorn of Automasters had a wonderful cook out for us after the show and then announced that he was leaving Bowling Green to return to CA. We will miss Jim and all he does for us, But in a way that only Jim can, this and the following e-mail is Jim's way of saying good bye. He Was and Is our Founding sponser and good bye is not going to be said, but we will say to our Friend that we will be meeting up with you again, so until then, it's see ya later. I will be sending out more as things progress. We Love Ya Jim.
Dave, and all the members of the BGACC that have come to know you
Dave Chrisley
President/Co Founder
Bowling Green Assembly Corvette Club


See the whole story on the website, lower right hand corner.
http://www.automastersofbg.com/
　
　
To the Bowling Green Assembly Corvette Club From Your Sponsor

I just wanted to thank all of you for your help yesterday at the Car Show and following cook-out. It is always such a pleasure to have such a contributing group. This morning I grabbed my coffee and took the beagle out (a little late) and found the dishes all done (Shelby and her capable crew) and all the shop cleaned up and a furniture put away (all the guys).
The Car Show was a terrific success and it was a pleasure watching all of you work so hard to make it so. Congratulations. I was once very involved in a Corvette Club or three and for some unknown reason(s), I suddenly couldn't wait to get away from any and all clubs. After being involved with you folks, who knows, maybe I'll have a change of heart. We raised over $4,000 for the HUmane Society and Salvation Army Food Bank for the needy.

As you could tell by my (slightly) emotional presentation (hey, even Bruce Willis cried once!), it was also extremely difficult for me to make the announcement that we are leaving Bowling Green in a month or so. As I said last night, there were a number of reasons for our decision. Jim Jr wants to get more involved in the business and we had/have a tremendous following out there before I left. We have also secured our old shop exactly where we were before. It has been used as a furniture warehouse since we left.
I have to remember that I came here to pursue a dream of a Corvette themed restaurant catering to Corvette folks, tourists, travelers, locals and plant employees. And while that did not evolve exactly as I had planned, ironically, I ended up doing that very thing in a lil 'ol car shop! By far the most important of factors is the financial one. With all of GM's ups and downs, the lay offs and the uncertainties of the future, I think it's time for a change of pace. Besides, people keep looking at me funny when I wear my shorts and flip flops in the snow...

I do want to say in all sincerity how much I appreciate the support and business that so many of you have given us and if not for these uncertain economic times, our future here would definitely be a different story.
(maybe I should buy a lottery ticket??)


So, not unlike leaving the Air Force after 4 years, and like they say in the movies, "It's time to get out of Dodge" and move on and to once again re-start Auto Masters in sunny and warm Palm Desert, California. Besides, I think President Dave Chrisley's (spelled right this time) finally got me figured out. I think he's even beginning to trust me...
<grin>
There are now downloadeable pdf's on our website.
Quick story.
Tim Reilly and I were getting the food ready when he comes up with the idea to make hamburgers like a Chevy bowtie. I looked around and found a "slim jim" which is a blade used to go into doors and open them.
Next thing I know Tim's beating and banging away. (See the pdf's) Maybe we've stumbled on to something here? So watch for an upcoming infomercial introducing "The Bowling Green Bowtie Burger Machine".
I'll be doing a complete story about my Bowling Green experience and put it on our website soon. One thing I do know, I'm leaving family.
Some of you also expressed interest in helping us load up in a few weeks. At least you did while I had your arms twisted behind you. I'll announce that as it comes but I believe Jim Jr's coming out Oct 16-18th to get started.

We won't disable the shop until at least the end of October, probably a little bit later because of workload so don't be bashville. Come on and get your last Auto Masters of BG service! I think we may even have a few sweatshirts left. I ain't gonna need them where I'm going! (Did I tell you we need gas money?) <big grin>
I've got an 18 wheeler coming and the trailer will be dropped off for a couple of days prior to departure. We'll load all the other stuff and then hoists will be loaded last, well almost last. I think the last thing should appropriately be the BBQ grill...
See ya soon!
Jim & the Beagle.
P.s. Did I mention we need gas money?? :-))
P.s.s. I would never leave you without making sure your vehicles remain in good hands. I will update you before I leave but in short, your service and service history will be in good hands. I know, I trained him myself....:-)))

[JThomas]

Thanks for all that you do Jim, and I don't think it's funny. wearing shorts and flip flops in the snow.

[ZRWON]

Welcome home Jim!!! You left many good friends and loyal customers to do the your BG thing. While there your circle of friends and loyal customers increased exponentially; especially that great group of BGACC folks. You are a living example for what the late Doug Johnson said, "It's not the car; it's the people"
With any luck I'll see you next spring when we make the trek to SoCal. When we get there I'll hope to find one of these that you added to the truck load for relocation to Palm Desert

[GrayZ]

Jim, i was sad to hear you are leaving BG, your loss will be felt.
among our ZR1 community. You are a stand up guy, and go the'
extra mile, to help others.
I truly wish you all the luck in the world.
I know you will do well back in the sunshine, but the
gathering in BG, has lost a shining star.

[FU]

Who is going to take care of the flock at the gathering now ? I need discipline !!!!

[93RubyZ]

Well, the East's loss is the West's gain. Welcome back to this side of the country. Glad to have you (somewhat) nearby.

[vandornjim]

Originally Posted by FU2

Who is going to take care of the flock at the gathering now ? I need discipline !!!!

Well now maybe I can come drink beer like everybody else!!

You guys were brutal!!

I talk to my guys all the time and it was actually their idea I return. I've had 2 of them work with me for over 20 years and Jim Jr has been as much their son as mine. They're all coming back to work with us!

After we get the truck emptied I'm taking the Z to the beach, get out and just sit there watching the...uh...uh...waves for a while....

[PhillipsLT5]

Back out in the Wild West

[Kb7tif]

About time!