About Mike Loy's Collision
Just
so you know: We are an ESSENTIAL BUSINESS and will be open
normal hours during this Corona Virus issue that we are all
facing. Please call us if you have any questions. Stay Safe,
Stay Healthy, we will get through this trying time.
In the year 1917 Loy’s Autobody started as Loy & Bernheisel. Ernest, father of Ernie and Bill, did the painting and striping and Ben Bernheisel, the upholstering and top work on touring tops. Besides the auto work, carriages and buggies were also refinished, cars were not really that numerous. The business was located at the corner of Commerce and Water Streets, now the Moeller Furniture building, until 1937, when the building was sold.
Although cars were refinished by hand and striped by hand, using 8-10 coats of color varnish, Ernest Loy and the Bernheisel brothers painted as many as 112 cars in one year.
Spray painting was being done in shops by the late 20’s and early 30’s, when DuPont brought out Duco, but Loy’s continued brushing cars until 1946. The change occurred when Ernie (out of the Army and with a couple of years of minor league baseball behind him) and Bill started working full time at the shop at its present location off Clay Street. In 1946 Ernie purchased a used compressor and a spray gun and greeted Bill, who had just returned from the Army, with a supply of tools, all the way to a dolly block, a hammer, a metal file, and a sander and asked him if he wanted to start to work. Bill did. (Things were simpler then.) Ernest then hung up his paint brush and turned the refinishing over to his sons.
Expansion
of two more working bays was made in 1948, another in 1952.
The last addition in 1975 was for two more bays,
including rust proofing, a lift and a frame repair area.
Mike joined the business in 1970 and Steve in 1980. Jeff was a member from 1977-1985.
Repairs to cars in the 50’s and 60’s were not too difficult. All the cars were large with frames under them except for a few small imports. The exception was the Nash, later to become American Motors. This all changed in the 70’s, as the rush of imports started to reach the U.S. These imports were all unitized construction with no frame.
Because all automobile manufacturers are now turning out vehicles with unitized construction and rack and pinion steering, changes were needed to make major repairs, such as adding costly frame racks and laser systems. Refinishing has also undergone major changes, with the acrylic urethane and clear coats that are now being used.
Mentioned previously were the dolly block, hammer and file, along with $5 a gallon paint. Today it’s $20,000 down draft spray booths, $30,000 unibody frame machines, and $50 a gallon paint. This has brought on somewhat higher shop rates, increased insurance premiums, and, of course, generic parts –some fit, some don’t.
Nevertheless, Loy’s will still strive
to keep the customer happy.
Our Family Serving Your Family Since 1917
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