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.
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 past 17 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. Wayne is involved in his local car club. And when he can find the time he is working on restoring a 1971 GTO. A clone to the car him and his wife dated in more than 25 years ago.
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.
Jens has been working on cars and anything with wheels since he was 11 years old. He bought his first car on his 14th birthday and has been hooked ever since. Over the past 8 years, Jens has worked as a Harley Davidson mechanic, Collision Repair Technician, Body and Paint Technician, and general automotive technician.
In 2004 he attended Wyoming Technical Institute and received a diploma in Collision/Refinishing Technology with Specialty Auto Fabrication in Street Rod, Performance Engine Building, and Chassis Fabrication. Jens also received certification in Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling.
Jens has taken part in several restorations including his current projects, a 1970 Camaro Z28, and a 1969 Charger RT.
Jens is excited to be a part of L'Cars and knows that each project is unique and enjoys the challenges that each can present along with learning the history behind each restoration.
As a young boy my father took me to car shows with his Camaro which was like a gas and fire mix. I was in love with cars and colors, and always dreamed of building something exotic. I started out fabricating and fixing things at an early age on the farm. As the years past I found myself getting more and more involved in specialty builds and custom welding projects, which then led me into an Auto body major at Highland Community College. While attending HCC I fell in love with the art of fabricating and refinishing. Through the two and a half year program I bettered my welding skills and overall knowledge of restoration. After graduating on honor roll I went out into the world with an open mind and found L' cars, where I can now explore the rest of my creativity with every day build challenges.
I had a passion for cars ever since I stepped foot into my bigfoot power wheels truck. I would help my dad with his Jeep whenever he was working on it. After high school I lived in the real world for a few years and didn't like so I decided to go back to school for auto collision and auto mechanics. I have a degree in both areas. I also went to school for welding and machine tool. I'm also ASE and I-Car certified in auto body and ASE certified in mechanics.
I have always had a love for cars since I was a little kid. Through high school I would help friends on their cars and install sound systems in my own. After graduating, I decided to pursue a career in business administration. I received my associates from UW Rock and my bachelor's degree from Upper Iowa University. Over the span of eight years I worked my way up to produce manager of a grocery store, but decided that it was not the life for me. A job opportunity opened up at L' Cars and I moved north to pursue my dream.
I joined L'Cars in July 2013 to work in the office and help with everyday tasks. During this time I have taken over OSHA meetings and responsibilities. Having over 7 years in the auto parts industry I also take care of the selling of rare parts through e-Bay and other sources. Becoming a member of L'Cars is a great experience and has given me a new found love of classic cars and the amazing work that is done here.
My dad got me into cars when I was just a little kid. He was always working on something cool and unique and always took me to car shows with him and the family. I took multiple metals classes in high school where I learned the basics of welding and metal fabrication.
Before coming to work for L’Cars I worked for a nation wide trucking company as a mechanic and repair man for a total of 11 years where I received my AC certification and Air Brake Certification .
My hobbies are welding, machining, and working on my 1946 Plymouth as well as my 31 Plymouth and 57 triumph T3 that I inherited from my Granddpa.
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.
