Autobody collision specialists save cars from unsafe and unsightly post-accident
blues. They get even the most crunched car back on the road -- and away from
landfills and junk lots. Their expertise saves car owners time, money and
hassles.
Elizabeth Cordrey, an autobody repairer in Oregon, has saved many a crunched
car from the automotive graveyard. "The most crunched car I remember was a
1993 Lexus. Everything from the firewall forward had to be pulled to correct
dimensions and body parts. Frame rails had to be replaced. But the owner is
still driving the vehicle after the repairs were made!"
Cordrey began "tinkering" with cars at a time when female
mechanics were almost unheard of.
"You need to be really self-assured and know what you're doing. Once you're
accepted, things go relatively smooth. There'll always be someone who won't
speak to you because you're a woman owner in a male-dominated business. But
these people aren't worth your time anyway.
"There's nothing more satisfying than seeing a happy customer and a job
well done. When a customer tells you he brought his car to be repaired to
you because you're the best -- there's nothing more gratifying!"
It's not just the repairs that keep her customers happy -- it's Cordrey's
expert dealings with insurance companies, attorneys and dealerships. "There
are a lot more facets to the industry than just repairing vehicles!"
Cordrey recommends community college courses in autobody repair and certification.
"Our facility starts students from high school as clean-up and detail persons,
and trains them to become journeymen technicians. If you enjoy working with
automobiles, are somewhat mechanically inclined and not afraid to get dirty,
this is an exceptional trade to enter."
Eddy Lai agrees. "This is a good profession if you like cars. If someone
wants to be successful in this field, they have to spend a lot of hours mastering
the skills...[and] have a yearly update and training on the latest innovations."
Lai's company works on 10 to 20 cars a day, predominately expensive Mercedes-Benz
and BMWs. These high-end cars require special care. It's not uncommon for
autobody repairers to make major repairs that non-industry onlookers may think
impossible -- such as "replacement of half the car of either front end, rear
or side!"
The worst car can be repaired and returned in near-perfect condition. What
was once a big hunk of twisted metal can be straightened, repaired and repainted.
Lai loves that gratification. "The best days I have are any time when there's
an appreciation of the work we do. It gives you satisfaction about your achievement."