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.
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.
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.
In 2010 I moved to the U.S. from Mexico on a visa and attended school at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College for Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing. In 2013 I graduated with Honors from WITC’s Auto Collision Repair program. After graduation I started working at L’cars, restoring cars as a specialist in Paint and Body where I have worked for 6 years. In 2019 I earned my American Citizenship. I am fluent in Spanish so I can help communicate with customers who may not speak or understand English easily.
I have thirty years of mechanical experience. I enjoy working on cars and the challenges that the project has to offer. I have extended training on oils, bearings, and seals. I have experience in running an endmill, lathe, and welding along with fabrication. Also I have experience in electronics, wiring harnesses, and testing.
I was in the army for 2 years. During that time I went to Korea as a mechanic. I started out as an owner operator for 20 years, Then I worked on heavy equipment for 5 years; as well as working on cars, light trucks, and light aircraft. I then retired and 5 years later came to work at L’Cars. I am currently working on a Lamborghini Quad Cam 6 Carb V12 drivetrain.
I drive a 66 Chevelle Big Block. I like cars, trucks, anything with a motor. Much of what I know has been self taught over the years. In 1982 I worked for a Dodge dealership in Wyoming and I received training and am a certified Dodge diesel specialist. Over the years I learned how to work with metal and I like working with my hands. I like building cool vehicles. I am also a specialist in electronic fuel injection.
My passion started after touring L’Cars Automotive Specialties for a school project. It was there I learned exactly what it takes to create a showroom-quality car, and I developed an appreciation for the work involved. Shortly after that tour, I was fortunate enough to start working at the shop, learning from everyone there. I’m also currently attending Chippewa Valley Technical College, where I’m enrolled in the auto collision and refinishing technician program.
I joined L’Cars in July 2013 to work helping in the office, holding OSHA meetings, and working with selling rare parts. In December 2020 I took over as office manager. Becoming a member of L’Cars has been a great experience and I have found a new love of Classic Cars.
My inspiration started with my dad, learning motorcycles side by side with him. And I really liked the old school nostalgic look of choppers. There unique style that stands above the rest with that iconic image. So after high school I became a transportation specialist for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, but that did not fill the itch I was desiring. So I went to Globe College for their Transportation Center of Excellence program, where I was taught a wide variety of equipment to operate (heavy equipment, cranes, and other commercial equipment). I enjoyed that career for over 20 years with over 1 million miles under my belt. But I always enjoyed a deeper passion for building, creating, and custom fabricating. So when a colleague of mine introduced me to Blaine Downer at L’Cars, I got a tour of L’Cars that day and I was hooked by everyone’s skills and their passion for building creative works of art. So now I live my passion every day.
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 over 30 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.
I have always had a fond appreciation for classic cars. My interest stemmed from my Grandpa Nitchey, who at a young age bought used equipment and started working on cars in his home shop. Word of mouth spread and soon he was able to use his shop as a business. At I watched grandpa’s passion come through his work, I realized I wanted to follow in the same footsteps. I have always been into muscle cars, trucks, atv’s, snowmobiles or anything with horsepower. My hard work and dedication have gotten me to where I am today.
I started working for L’Cars in 2019 at the young age of 17 as a youth apprentice. This allowed me to learn many skills of the trade. Then I went further with my education after high school at CVTC in their Auto Collision Repair and Refinishing Technician Program. I worked all the while going to school and graduated from CVTC in 2021.
My favorite part about working here is getting to be hands on with all of the customers cars, overseeing the cars take shape, and of course test driving the cars at the end of the restoration process. My current personal project is working on restoration of my grandpa’s 1969 Road Runner.
My top three priorities that shine through in my work include producing a quality product, delivering orders in a timely fashion, and continually improving my skills and techniques. My expertise lies in custom metal design and fabrication, wiring skills, and engine tuning.
My certifications include: Auto Collision Repair and Refinish Technician, Automatic Transmission Diagnostics, Body Electrical Certification, Chasis Dynojet Certification, I-CAR Certified
