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Gerry's Garage Talk: Cruzers offers a wealth of "Big Boy's T
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Posted by lward Fri Sep 10, 2004 14:34:00 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments This week we went to a street rod and custom shop and met Pete Jones, owner of Cruzers Rod and Custom Products, Inc. Pete started in the automotive business as a mechanic and worked in the auto parts business for 25 years. In addition to full-time work, Pete devoted himself to street rod construction on the side, both for himself and for friends.

In 2001, Pete and his wife of 30 years, Cindy, saw the opportunity to turn their devotion to the automobile into a family business. The result was Cruzers. Their two sons, Peter and Tim, are also involved in the business. Peter created the software used to run the business and Tim works the parts counter.

They say that the only difference between men and boys is the size of their toys. So, fittingly, the Cruzers showroom is 4,000 square feet of "big boys' toys." All your street rod suppliers are on display, as are all Ford and Chevy parts and well-known parts suppliers, from Ron Frances wiring to TCI frames. These goodies are guaranted to make your car shine when you drive it down the road. Pete and the boys can even get your wheels and tires and install them for you.

What makes Cruzers such a great place is that you can get advice from anyone in the showroom on any topic, from what to install to where and how to install it. If they don't have a product you want on display, they can order it for you. Pete and his crew know who can do body work, paint and interiors for your cars -- and their advice is free for the asking.

In July 2002, the business expanded to include a 4,000-square-foot complete custom fabrication shop. The shop supervisor, Steve James, has more than 35 years of street rod and motorcycle construction experience. The shop does everything in street rod construction, from the small details to complete cars; no job is too big or too small. They do custom wiring, install air conditioning, build gas tanks, and install suspensions, chop tops and suicide doors. They are happy to install all the showroom features for you, and will even do service on your street rods and motorcycles. The shop not only works on street rods, but they also install parts on late model cars, trucks and small imports. They currently have a wide variety of motorcycle parts in stock, and in the future they plan to build motorcycles from the frame up.

Pete personally owns 11 cars, three of which are finished drivers and the remainder of which are works in progress. Pete's personal drivers include two 1955 Chevys and a just-finished 1948 Nash. He has a 1939 Dodge shop truck with special independent front and rear suspension, including air bags to get it "in the weeds" and a hydraulic, rear-opening back door. When finished, this will be a show-stopper -- not to mention their shop truck.

Feel free to stop by and say you saw this article in The Northwest Voice, take a look at the showroom and talk shop with the guys. They are located at 5601-B Rosedale Hwy. Give them a call at 631-9981.

And happy 50th birthday, Charlie Snyder, and many mooooore.....

Upcoming events:

Vintage Limited Silver Anniversary Car Show. A swap meet will be held Sept. 18 and a car show will be held Sept. 19. For info contact Barbara at 832-5841 or Larry Simpson at 589-2255.

Hwy 99 Cruise 'n' Show, Oct. 22-24. Contact Art Carlock at 589-0947 or John Fleming at 634-9166.

Until next time - Gerry Byron --- e-mail me at "gwbyron2@yahoo.com"

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