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Testimonials
21 July 2010
Hi Jim,
I know you specialize in GM and Corvettes but about 18 months ago you fixed a Land Rover for me and I was so impressed with your work that I'd like to bring in my Xterra so you can take a look at it and see what the problem is. My service engine light comes on and the past few times I've driven the truck it dies, the battery is new just purchased in January. If you'd be willing to take a look please get back to me.
Caitlin Menhardt
Western Kentucky Student
7 July 2010
Jim,
It’s great to once again be driving a well restored car. After the engine rebuild that you provided last October, I put my 1954 Corvette up on jack stands in Lawrenceburg, TN, for six months while wintering in Arizona. Of course, you had also corrected mistakes found after work done by a Corvette shop in Madison Heights, Michigan.
After my drive from Lawrenceburg to Bowling Green, you removed the break in oil, and gave a good under car inspection. My twin brother and I stayed off the freeways driving up to Cincinnati. We drove up the 31 E to the Blue Grass Parkway to 127 North to Florence
My brother was driving his Odyssey behind me. A word of caution: do not tarry alongside school busses, even church busses with open windows. His van was slimmed with sticky pink goo as we drove through Cincinnati. At least I had an uneventful, but fun trip back to Michigan.
George Prentice
Senior Studio Engineer, Retired
GM Design Staff
11-10-09
Jim,
We have arrived at our destination in Arizona. Cookie drove her Alfa Romeo all the way from Michigan. I had no problems taking the ’54 Corvette to Lawrenceburg. I drove it around a bit before putting it up on blocks.
THANK YOU so much for doing all the work in such a timely manner; on top of your busy schedule. If you will respond with the name of the machine shop that worked on the block, I would like to personally thank them as well when I return to Bowling Green. It is amazing to me how many problems you had to correct on an engine that had only 1500 miles on it since the previous rebuild. I am sure that it is now as good as the race engines that come out of Bowling Green.
Best Wishes on your next endeavor.
George Prentice
GM Design Staff Technical Stylist(ret)
George
It was our pleasure to work on such a unique vehicle. We have added it to our slideshow here on the website. Just go to the "Shop Gallery" under "services". B ut I also have to admit we did a littel bit of "styling" of our own on the 'ol '54. If you look under the seat there's some fuzzy dice...:-))
Jim
October 12, 2009
They Saved My Rear End
We were to be in the NCRS Road Tour to California out Route 66 with 75 other cars. We had planned this event for months. Two days before leaving I hear a growl coming from the rear end. I called Jim at Auto Masters. He had planned to take the holiday Friday, July 3rd off, and run the beagle.
After hearing my dilemma, Jim said he had a slightly used differential, but all the mechanics were off for the holiday. I told him again how long we had planned for this trip and then he said if I could get there early, he would do the replacement himself, as long as I didn’t tell anyone he got his hands dirty.
I was able to complete the 6900 mile trip back through the north west states. That gave my wife, me and the ZR-1 all 48 states. When I returned, they had my original 4.10 diff repaired and they reinstalled it. It is hard to find mechanics that go the extra mile like Jim Van Dorn and his mechanics do.
Ronald Richardson
ZR-1 Net Registry TN State Director
NCM Member
NCRS Member
TVCC Events Director
Ron, You devil you!
Great job!! I envy you making it with the wife, in the ZR-1 in ALL 48 states! Let's see some of them new fangled C-5's & C-6's do THAT!
:-) Jim & The Beagle
What? What did I say?
9/10/09
Dear Jim,
Just a note to let you know we made it home OK with our "67". I can't possibly ever thank you enough for all the help you provided me and my wife while we were "broken down" in Bowling Green. Due to the huge amount of Corvettes in town for the 15th Anniversary celebration, I know you were working on overload and you went way out of your way to help us in so many ways it is unbelievable. I would highly recommend your shop to anyone with a Corvette or any GM vehicle and know that you would be treated fair, receive competent service and get to know one of the people that make Corvette ownership so special. Again, Thank you.
Jim & Cindy Knibbs
Petoskey, MI
Cindy & Jim
It has been our pleasure to be involved with Corvette owners for so many years now and it never gets old, just better. Thanks for your support of our Museum (I saw your Life Member badge) and thanks for your kind words. Hopefully we'll see you again soon!
Jim & The Beagle
Vick's an Eagle, Hide Your Beagle!!
11/06/08
Jim,
I want to thank you again for doing great job on my ’95 ZR. I can tell you treated it like it was your own paying attention to the smallest details. I threw a lot of options at you for performance modifications and you steered me away from ones that are not worth it when you could of just did it and charged me accordingly. You accommodated me by meeting on a Sunday morning so I could get the back and not miss a day of work. When I got home I took it to two different dyno labs and we saw the car is dialed in beautifully and runs like an animal! Another sincere thanks to you is for all the things you do for “our” Corvette community, no guys like you means no community for “us” to enjoy.
Keep up the good work and “I’ll Be Baaack”!
From The Motor City
Ron Klinger
Detroit, MI
10/28/08
Jim,
I never did thank you - You are now asking for what. Back in May ( Mother's day Weekend) I was there for the C4 / ZR1 bash. I had the unfortunate incident where the Alternator locked up on my Z. I had searched all over B.G. trying to locate an alternator - I had planned to replace it myself in the hotel parking lot - None to be found and could not get one until Monday at the soonest - Now my weekend and Vettefest plans just got completely destroyed. One of the guys that I was with said that he knew of a Vette shop in BG. He said look in the telephone book for a place called Auto Masters. So I let my fingers do a little walking. Not being from your wonderful town and not imagining that B.G. would be home to one of the most prestigious corvette shops in the country. I placed a timid call to your shop at 7:00am - Actually didn't think anyone would answer - too early for anyone to be at work. Much to my surprise you answered. I explained my dilemma - and without question you very carefully calmed me down and assured me that all would be OK!! I got my car towed over and by late afternoon you had me back on the road. When I came to pick up my car - You had a whole audience of other corvette owners that had faced similar break downs. I am not sure if I ever expressed my sincere appreciation for what you did for me. So thank you very much for your attentive and patient care.
I look forward to my next trip to B.G. and will most definitely stop by and say thank you in Person.
Sincerely,
Don Yoakem
Antioch, IL
Don,
What did the wife say when you showed her the new alternator and said "Happy Mother's Day"? :-)
10/20/08
Jim
It has taken me a while to catch up on business and I wanted to be sure and take the time to thank you and Bob for the outstanding job you did in repairing my 1959 Corvette back in September. You guys were great and the old girl has performed flawlessly since the repair (except she leaked like a sieve when all the rains from Hurricane Ike hit us!!).
Below is a note I wrote to the VetteNet. It is always reassuring when one can find a shop you can trust and I think you guys should be commended for your superb support of the Corvette hobby.
Thanks again, and if there is anything I do for you out here on the left coast, please let me know.
All the best,Bob Brown
Waving in San Diego
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Brown [mailto:silfox@san.rr.com]
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2008 9:38 PM
To: 'VETTES@ASU.EDU'
Subject: [VN] Kudos to a great Vette Shop
Hi to all,
Purpose of note is to give a big thumbs up to a Corvette Shop owner and a great supporter of the Corvette hobby, Jim Van Dorn of Auto Masters in Bowling Green. I just participated in the NCM's Historic Motorama II last month and drove my old 59 back to Bowling Green via Route 66 as much as possible. The second day after leaving San Diego....right in the middle of the freakin desert....my starter heat soaked and I was stranded. Finally crawled under the old girl, and after beating on the starter for a while, the solenoid finally kicked in & I got the car started. No problem starting in the morning when the engine & starter were cold, but once everything got hot, the starter would again become toast. For the next few days I survived by never turning off the engine when stopping for gas. At lunch time, I would search for a fast food spot where I could park on a hill. After lunch I would just turn on the key, let the car roll and jump start it.
I knew Jim had moved his shop to Bowling Green from Palm Desert (I met Jim more than 10 years ago on one of the VetteNet Southwest runs we used to do). Good friend Jay Goatcher was able to contact Jim for me and in near zero turn around time, Jim contacted me and said he would have a starter waiting.
On arrival in BG, Jim and one of his techs were waiting for me and immediately put the 59 on the rack. In no time the car was repaired & the tech even corrected a couple of other small items that he noticed needed attention. Bottom line is, Auto Masters were great hosts, and rapidly and correctly fixed my 59. The old girl was ready for the 1000 mi caravan to Detroit, and for the trip back to San Diego, which she completed without another hitch.
Kudos to Jim and to Bob his #1 tech. I help out a commercial garage here in San Diego on occasion and know what things cost.....Jim charged me FAR LESS than what he could have/ probably should have.
If you are ever back in Corvette Mecca, be sure to stop in to see the facility and say hello to Jim. His shop is right off Exit 28 and is located directly between the museum and the Corvette plant.
Thanks again to Jim for a job very well done!
Bob Brown
Waving in San Diego
Hello to all,
I just received my 91 ZR1 from Jim Van Dorn and Auto Masters. Jim gave it a thorough tune up, replaced all shocks with the 96 ZR1 version did a ton of misc. weather stripping, tuning etc. and put on a new pair of shoes. Of course we took her out to stretch her legs and guys this 91 runs and rides like a new car again. Actually had a couple of Stangs sneak up to take a peak and then back off instead of coming up beside. I was just beggin for it. Anyone out their with a ZR1 or any Vette (or car for that matter) talk to Jim and his team. They communicate what they are doing and do everything possible to stand by their original repair quote. I will ship my car back to him (600) miles before I ever let anyone touch it again. Call him you will be glad you did.
Jim Divilbiss
GM Site Utility Manager
BGACC member
I have to agree. JVD is a class act. His place is THE place I take my ZR to when I need a real mechanic. Never any question of going anywhere else. Not only are they good people, they do a lot to support the Corvette hobby.
Thanks Jim.
David Lovell
BGACC member
31 Aug 08
Our Visit to Bowling Green
Hello Jim and Mike.
We arrived to Spain last Tuesday, and everything went fine. All good things must come to an end.
We enjoyed very much our visit to Corvettes at Carlisle with the other two friends that came from Spain to the USA on Wednesday 20th. We could never imagine that we would see too many Corvettes in a single location. Thousands and thousands of them!!!! We spent four days in Carlisle and we couldn’t see it all!!! The weather was fantastic and all the activities we participated during the weekend were fabulous.
Thank you very much for the pictures of the factory with the ZR-1 and all of you. We will keep them with all the other pictures we took during our visit to the USA. In a couple of weeks we will have organized and selected all the pictures we had taken during our visit, and we will burn them all in a DVD, that I will send to your address as soon as we have it available.
Thanks again to you Mike, Jim, and all the people of BGACC for the great time we spend last Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th in Bowling Green. We will remember it during our lifetime. The visit to the Corvette Plant and NCM were fabulous, and we appreciate all the time you dedicated to us.
We expect that next year we could return to Bowling Green for having another great time, and to meet again all the people there. Maybe next September 2009 for the NCM 15th. Anniversary Celebration??? Time is counting back. I hope we will see us again then.
Regards,
Ramon Pujol & Toni Pujol
Barcelona, Spain
Ramon & Toni,
Sometimes I get people who ask me why I moved to Bowling Green from sunny Southern California and I have to smile. It is because people such as yourself and Toni that make a dream of mine come true. I’m glad you came to see our shop but I’m especially happy that we were able to give you those special tours of the Assembly Plant and the NCM as well. And a ride in a NEW ZR1 as well?!
We’ll look forward to seeing you in the future and just remember, “Its not about the car, it’s about the people” Doug Johnson 1953-2003. “Proud to be a Pirate”
Jim
P.S. Along with that DVD of pictures, you think you might send some homemade spanish food, i.e., salsa, peppers, etc??? I do miss some things in California…:-))
May 16, 2008
Jim, My ’84 runs better than ever! Thanks for providing such great service. The little stumble from idle is gone, throttle response is great.
Phil ScearceMurfreesboro, TN
Phil, When these care were built they were completely assembled and sealed before they were ever run. All cross-fire injected engines can benefit greatly by a proper tuning and throttle body balance.
Enjoy your ride!
Jim
Just To Say Thanks
May 10, 2008
Jim, just a short note thanking you for your help on my "ZR-1 episode". I was really down in the dumps over this situation and you provided a much needed "therapy" opportunity. I appreciate you letting me participate in the C5/C6 goings on including set up and working with the BGACC bunch - a great bunch of folks. Meeting all of them was a pleasure and thanks to your guys for taking the time to help out on the exhaust install. Getting the contacts I needed for my Z06 problem was invaluable and probably wouldn't have happened so easily without your barbecue attracting so many VIPs including Wil Cooksey who also went to bat for me. So overall you pulled another one out of the hat for my benefit and it won't be forgotten. Thanks again for an outstanding effort on my behalf. CULater,
Breck AlbertsTucson, AZ.
Thank You Auto Masters,
April 10, 2008
My wife and I moved back to Bowling Green after a 31 year absence. First we had to get settled in, then you start the search for good reliably services. Our 2002 Avalanche was in dire need for a complete work-up. 100,000 miles and nothing more than oil changes so you can imagine the shape it was in. Auto Masters went over the vehicle to see what all needed to be done. I knew it was going to be a long list. I remember Jim’s words:
“This is what I would do if it were my vehicle”That’s what you want to hear! The truck runs great now!
Thank you again!!
Joe and Susan EasterlingFrom: Dr. Gary Yarbrough
April 02, 2008
To: Jim Van Dorn
Jim,
I want to sincerely thank you for doing such a great job on my 1990 ZR-1. I thought I’d send you my story, so that you can post it with your testimonials.
I had hoped that buying my ZR-1 from a major GM dealer that is very active in the corvette community would guarantee me that the car would be 100% working and without issues. Being new to the ZR-1 scene and a bit rushed during my test drive, I didn’t know everything to look for when I went to see the car, which was around 400 miles from my hometown.
I noticed when I bought the car that the vacuum line running from the secondary pump to the plenum was routed incorrectly but otherwise, the engine bay look fairly clean. I also thought the car wasn’t running as strong as I had expected. However, I negotiated a really great price for a ’90 with 48K miles, so I happily bought the car.
After a week of driving my ZR-1, it was clear that the secondary valve system wasn’t kicking in properly. I did some searches to get an idea of what my problem might be and to look for shops that could work on the LT5. I was thrilled to find you so close to my home. I gave you a call and arranged to take the car down to Bowling Green.
You met me on a Saturday morning and even managed to anticipate that I would arrive an hour early due to the Eastern versus Central time zone difference between Louisville and Bowling Green. We had a great conversation and I felt good leaving my new car in your hands. At the time, I forgot to tell you that my oil pressure gauge had failed after we first spoke.
You kept me updated on what the car needed and had it ready in a week. When I picked up the car, I found the engine bay in great shape, with the vacuum line properly routed. You also picked up on and fixed my oil pressure gauge issue. After a month of driving the car as it should be, all I can say is WOW! The ZR-1 is an amazing corvette!
Thanks again, Jim for such great work! I’m looking forward to getting your “Street Skinner” package sometime in the next couple of years.
Best Wishes,
Gary Yarbrough, Ph.D.
Official C5/C6 Registry
June 20, 2007
Mr. Jim Van Dorn
Auto Masters
790 Interstate Drive
Bowling Green, KY 42101
Dear Jim
On behalf of the entire Official C5/C6 Registry, we would like to thank you and your staff for your hospitality and the fabulous authentic barbecue dinner! You sure know how to throw one heck of a party! The band was excellent and definitively kept the crowd rockin’! The food was outstanding! Be sure to thank Greg London AKA General Custer for all the time and effort he put into smoking all that delicious meat. He did an awesome job and is certainly a barbecue chef extraordinaire!
Our members kept commenting on what a wonderful time they had at the party. They really enjoyed listening to the band, visiting with friends and checking out the Corvettes inside and outside your garage. It was definitely a memorable occasion for all who attended!
Jim, without you helping us get started at the Labor Day event back in 1997, we wouldn’t be where we are today. We really appreciate everything you have done for the Registry! We want to say a BIG C5/C6 THANK YOU for making this the best Birthday Bash kick-off party ever, and we look forward to doing this again with you and General Custer next year!
C6Ya!Dan and Jake, Directors
Official C5/C6 Registry
From Johnny B. Biffle
Nashville, TN
I have posted a couple of times about the missing and stumbling and stalling that my '91 was experiencing at RPM's below 3,500. I knew I had at least one leaky injector, and then the Map Sensor shorted out and displayed the Service Engine light.
I was fortunate to be customer number one at the new Auto Masters in Bowling Green, KY. I purposely waited to get my ZR1 repaired until Jim Van Dorn opened his new shop. It was worth the wait! Jim is pure Gold (and Purple)!
His great little Beagle greeted me when I arrived and helped to make me feel right at home. Jim has done a great job building his shop and made it very comfortable for his customers. He has a couple of top notch techs under his wing and they dove into the numerous issues I had with my '91. I wanted the injectors, fuel filter, plug wires, and O2's changed. No problem, but Jim completely tested the vacuum system, secondary actuators etc., etc.and then he programmed a prom, for me to play with, based on his racing experience with the ZR1.
My clutch issues, which I thought was the slave cylinder, turned out to be the Stage II clutch disc from Carolina Clutch. It was just wrong, and would not work in car. Jim couldn't stand that the car was not right, and worked very late one evening doing and R&R on the clutch. Now I can drive it as designed, smooth!
She was running like a dog when I took her in, now she runs like a scalded dog!! I picked it up last Thursday evening and after a brief but spirited test drive around the Corvette Plant, I loaded her on the trailer and took her to the NCCC auto cross event in Huntsville, AL. There were about 40 cars there including 3 new Z06's, numerous C5 Z06's. I was wearing my sticky tires, but only one 04 Z06 wearing stickies was getting around the track any faster that me. (1/2 seconds count) My '91 was running great! It has been a long time since she ran that well. She lived up to the name my wife gave her, FASTZR1!
Thanks to Van Dorn and his team at Auto Masters getting me on the road again! He should do very well in Bowling Green, the home of the Corvette!
JohnnyB
FASTZR1
From: Mo Weldon
Caldwell Banker
Legacy Real Estate Group
Hi Jim
I just wanted to write a quick note to say thanks for working on my yellow Z06. This is my first Vette, and it has been a dream my entire life to own one.
To find a shop who has extensive knowledge of my car, and GM’s history in developing it, is a terrific addition to owning a Corvette.
I’m looking forward to bringing my car back for the next service and many years to come.
Mo Weldon
From: Don Crimmins
Jim
Having your 1990 ZR-1 breakdown when your eleven hours from home is not one of the top ten things that I want to happen to me. Thanks to you and your staff I was able to drive home safely and with confidence. Thanks again for your help.
Don Crimmins
From: Doug Johnson
To: Corvette Enthusiasts (public list)
Hello Zroners,
Just wanted to finally bring you up-to-date on the insurance settlement
on the Beast and the build plans for the Beast II.
As you may remember, my 1990 ZR-1, #596, Manual A/C, steel half-shafts, Black Widow Streeskinner LT5, and custom Pearl Mist Yellow paint job was crushed by an 8-foot diameter live oak tree during a Tornado here in Jacksonville, Florida on the evening of Jan. 2nd.
I contacted my local insurance agent and reported the situation to them. Just days later, I received my check from the underwriter in the amount of $45,000.00, and the underwriter sold the salvaged Beast to me for 10% of the claim, or $4,500. No hassles, no games, no lies - straight forward, friendly, and sympathetic. And they still are paying me $20/day for 30 days car rental.
The fact that was able to receive a $45K settlement on a '90 ZR-1 with 120,000 miles I owe entirely to Jim Van Dorn. When he finished the custom work on my ZR-1 in Feb 98, he suggested that I get the car appraised and have my agent write me a 'stated-value' insurance policy.
If it were not for Van Dorn's advice and Auto-owner's excellent coverage, I would now be out of the ZR-1 hobby. The $23K book value on a nice '90 ZR-1 would have barely paid off my $19500 note on the car. Having just bought a new house, I would have hesitated before buying another one totally on borrowed money.
As it is, after the note was paid on the Beast, I still had $26,500 in cash. I found a '93 ZR-1, 60K miles, very clean, with no engine or tranny. The Black Widow, ZF, 4.09s, GS Brakes, 5-spoke chromes, and new BFGs on my Beast are undamaged.
As you read this, the Beast is on its way to Van Dorn's facility where the dead Beast and the '93 will be morphed into a new and spectacular Beast II. And, I'll have a clear title and a ton of spare parts from the former Beast's wreckage.
For many reasons, I feel blessed by the entire episode. First, that my wife and beautiful babies were spared any injury when the tree went thru our house. 2nd, that Auto-Owners proved to be the kind of insurance company that we all hope for and seldom get, for the expression of support and affection that my family received from the ZR-1 Net members, and finally for JVD's friendship and counsel. Not only did he initially build me one of the neatest ZR-1s on the road, he also helped me make sure an act-of-God did not inadvertently take it away from me.
JVD has said the Beast II will be delivered to me at the ZR-1 Net/Registry Gathering to be held during May at the NCM. I hope all of you can be there with me (holding me up) as I act like a new father waiting for my new 'child' to come off the trailer. :-)
Sincerely,
Doug Johnson (1953-2003)