[Chris Roach]

Controls Engineer,

I design the electrical (hardware and software) of automation equipment that put your cars engines and transmissions togther. Quite interesting, as I get to see alot of the new technology first hand from all the major manufactures before it hits the public.

Industry has been slow as of late, but I manage to stay busy.. Too busy at times.

[Ashley P]

I grew up riding in dad's daily driver 66 GTO. I spent some time with him when he'd put brakes or water pumps on it. My mom's brothers were both into SBC powered sand/dirt drag vehicles and I liked to hear an 8, 9, 10, or 11,000 RPM launch! I stripped dad's car to metal for a complete paint job (or is that Bondo job?) while in high school and took autobody at "trade school". But I wanted to learn the mechanical side so I went to Southern Illinois U's Auto Tech school. Got my Associates in Auto Technology and went to work for a Chevy/Chrysler dealer. I've been here for 10 years.

[Skip Fix]

Since family connections were mentioned I was thinking of this thread when I got a family geneology history over the holidays. My grandfather George J. Fix left Worchester Wagon Works for Pierce Arrow Auto Company as manager of stock , then the manager of Auto Glass Working Department in Buffalo, New York. In 1915 he switched to the Maxwell Motor Company and was transfered to Dallas,Texas where he was service manager. In 1917 he was transferred to Windsor Ontario as treasurer of the Canadian Maxwell-Chalmer Corp, and was then transferred to the Canadian general Motors Corp. in purchasing and later Director of Personnel. In 1920 General Motor closed up its Canadian operation and he was transferred to New Orleans as manager of the New Orleans Branch of the Bearing Service.
In 1921 he moved back to Dallas where he started his own business as a rep for Power Transmission Machinery and Equipment that supplied pulleys,belts, chains sprockets for early trucks and machinery. In the 60s and 70 tehy supplied pulley for a local aftermarket auto air conditioning unit manufacturer ARA that handled Frigi King and other add on A/C units.

[RAIV55]

Out of high school went to Denver and attended a automotive trade school.

While in school worked at an Olds dealership as mechanic's helper.

After graduating, worked in a transmission shop first as an installer and finally as a rebuilder.

Worked at a Chevrolet dealership, certified as a master tech. Also worked part time for seven years for my current boss as he started an automotive machine shop.

Been at my job as automotive machinist since 1987 (OMG has it been that long?).

[carcrazy]

Went to automotive tech school after discharge from the Army in 73. Later worked as a Ford dealership mechanic. NIASE certified. (before it was called ASE) Got tired of fixing squeaks and rattles instead of making them go fast. Told owner of dealership what he could specifically do with the job. End of automotive career.

[Ducks Goat]

In the mid 90's I worked for a company called Southern Fineblanking which was a division of MPI, I started out as a press operator and finished with them as a die setup person. We blanked various steel parts for Ford, GM, Chrysler, Dana. In the late 90's I worked for Saxonia-Frankie doing the same. Now I've been with Tyco Electronics for 6 yrs, started as a press setup/operator and am currently the 2nd shift foreman for the stamping department. We blank, form, mold and do some sub- assembly for Chrysler, Ford, Lear,Volvo,Hella,GM and others.

[mzbk2l]

Wow! I remember reading this thread and thought I had answered it when it was new, but I don't see my name in there. Family history: great-grandfather, grandfather, and too many aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, and girlfriends to count have worked for GM or Tier 1 suppliers.. There was even one roque black sheep uncle who worked for (gasp!) FORD.

After I got out of the Navy as a mechanic, I worked for about seven years at the GM Proving ground in the desert southwest (a fun and fascinating job) until I left there and landed in the lucrative slot I now hold in Iraq. I was a mechanic for my first year and a half over here, so I guess I was still in the "automotive" industry. Now I'm just an overpaid desk jockey.

LOT of experience on this forum, isn't there?

[Karch]

I have sold components and equipment to Tier 1, 2 and 3 automotive accounts, worked part time at a shop for a bit, and that's about the extent of it.

I have been trying to get more involved, but somehow can't find a solid position that'll pay the bills.

Oh, and regarding lineage...nothing. Well, Dad had a 65 Bonne when I was 3, and he went to H.S. w/ Mickey Thompson, but obviously hung out in different crowds.

[DiamondJim]

Started at a Firestone dealer in 1968, they paid for my night-time tech school. Got into race cars about a year later and worked for a local speed shop. Pit crew on asphalt car and raced early Super Stock. My father died in 1972, he was in the electrical union 45 years. At his funeral the local union rep asked how much I was making, then made me an offer I could not refuse, sent me to school, finished apprenticeship in 1976. 34 years later stil doing electrical(Contractor since 1979) but never lost the racing bug. -Jim

[firebirdcrazy1959]

started out in the resturant business at age 14,became a chef age 17.moved to nyc in 1980, worked all over manhatten.became friends with one owners son.he had a 78 vette show car.i got the car bug and bought a 70 formula firebird in 1981.moved back up state and started working in a garage.3 yrs later went to a dealership,became a line tech.now after 15 yrs of cars i had to quit.i couldn't deal with all the crap that goes on.i made good money,but the bull crap wasn't worth it.now i'm a crane operator.make good money,get laid off in the winter which i love.have 3 months to work on my cars or just stay in bed.i'm 46 and now have the money and time for cars i always wanted when i was younger.seems things got better after my ex left 6yrs ago.

[rolling money pits]

started at age 19 at an AAMCO center.

then on to a driver at a locally owned "real" parts store a year later. by "real" i mean not a national chain like an advance, wetern auto, trak auto, etc.

then to counter sales at same company.

then to outside sales for a national operation that was part of big A auto parts, a two step warehouse with no public sales, only to dealers. it was, back then, called ISW. good idea....bad management decisions....bankruptcy....then big A branded....then bought by napa. i left after moving to warehouse manager after the bankruptcy and chage to big A branded, but prior to the napa buyout.

then a brief stint as an asst manager at another locally owned parts operation. by brief i mean about 27 days.

then i bid adieu to the automotive industry as a whole.

[goatman-68]

Manage a diesel fuel injection and turbocharger rebuilding shop. Been in that field for 25 years. We also have a complete engine machine shop.

[Sicbird]

Electrical Engineer for ElDorado National. We build transit busses and lowered floor mini vans. Also worked for GM in thier Kansas City assembly plant as a co-op student for 6 months during college. I'm not exactly in the performance industry where I'd like to be, but it certainly pays the bills and is funding my Firebird project.