Herrick Auto Rebuilders Celebrates 65th Year

(Crystal Lake, IL) Herrick Auto Rebuilders turns 65 years old this month and is proud to continue to serve the Crystal Lake community.

On Dec. 1, 1948, Walt Herrick opened a car repair business at 77 E. Woodstock St. in Crystal Lake, in the Bauer Garage, which previously was the local Studebaker dealership. In 1953, he moved the business to its current location at 634 W. Terra Cotta (Route 176) near the intersection of Route 14.

Walt’s dedication to excellent repair work, customer service and community involvement built a solid reputation and business. Today, Herrick Auto Rebuilders remains family-owned and operated by Walt’s son, Skip Herrick, and his son-in-law, Gary Riegler. Skip and Gary are committed to providing the same great customer service and attention to detail for which Herrick Auto has been known for the past 65 years.

Walt had a natural ability to fix things. He bought his first “bike” by purchasing a basket that had parts to several bikes and fashioned himself a bike he could ride. Walt’s family moved to Crystal Lake in 1935, but Walt was allowed to attend Woodstock High School to take its auto mechanics program since the same program was not available at the Crystal Lake high school. He graduated from WHS in 1941 and joined the Army Air Corps as an aircraft mechanic in 1943. With the money he earned and saved while in the service, he bought the equipment he needed to start his own body shop.   

Walt retired from the business in 1987 and passed away in 2007, but he was always proud of the relationships built at his business. Many children and grandchildren of original customers still bring their damaged cars to the shop.

Pride in workmanship and pride in community went hand-in-hand with Walt. He served the Crystal Lake community in many ways, including sitting on the Crystal Lake City Council for eight years and serving on the Crystal Lake Park Board and the Planning Commission. His family continues his commitment to the community with their involvement in Rotary, the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce, the Crystal Lake Historical Society, the Lakeside Legacy Arts Park/Dole Mansion, the Boy Scouts and more.

A fixture in the Crystal Lake community, Herrick Auto Rebuilders delivers high-quality vehicle repairs with friendly service and attention to detail. Voted Best of the Fox and consistently rated higher than 95 percent in customer service surveys, the team at Herrick maintains a small town atmosphere with state-of-the-art equipment and training.

“My father taught us to do a quality job and put the customer first,” says Skip Herrick. “Our office staff is here to answer any questions you may have about insurance, the repair process or securing a car rental. And our highly trained technicians use only the latest repair procedures and technologically advanced equipment available. The result is the finest quality work, guaranteed in writing by our lifetime warranty.”

“We are proud of the work we do, offering a lifetime guarantee on all repairs for as long as you own your car,” says Gary Riegler.  “From just a small ding to more serious structural damage, Herrick Auto Rebuilders will provide you with ‘Collision Repair With Care’ to get you back on the road quickly and safely.”

Having a vehicle repaired after an accident can be stressful, but Herrick Auto offers free estimates, phone status reports, loaner cars and a lifetime guarantee to help offset a driver’s worries. Herrick works with all insurance companies and also offers 24-hour towing seven days a week, 365 days a year and has both flatbed and wheel-lift trucks.

For more information on Herrick Auto Rebuilders, contact Gary Riegler at 815-459-3232 or visit www.herrickautobody.com.

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