On The Road With Johnny B ...Crossroads Of Life

As a Wet Behind The Ears Lad of 19 and wanting to make a living with old cars my Automotive Career started as a Counterman at the now long gone STM Auto Parts in Ronkonkoma in 1980.

Back in the Old Days before computers you had to look up parts in a paper catalog, update inventory cards and knew what "Points" were. The local Parts Store was a haven for Shade Tree Mechanics, had a Machine Shop and was the local hang out for Gear Heads. I thrived as a counterman and rejoiced in the Crusty Patina. It was new and fueled my romance for old cars

STM Didn't stay in business to long but I knew or thought my career would be in the Auto Industry. I had a Crossroad then. Took a turn down the road and motored forward. Most of my Parts Background started in the early 1980's in German vehicles, mostly Mercedes Benz where I learned to love the Smokey Chokey Benz 5 Cylinder Turbo Diesel. Still till this day my heart has warm spot when I hear the horrible combustion explosions of the Benz Rolling Oil Burner.

As far Crossroads go some happen by accident and some are thrust upon you. In 1983 with the nagging of a friend I attended my first Fall Carlisle Car Show. That accidental Crossroad would give me a lifetime of adventures, friends, great old cars and a future business.

The trust upon me Crossroad in late 1990's was the loss of a Career Job due to a merger that went bad. Eventually that re-formed company would become Worldpac aka Advance Auto Parts but I was long gone by then. To be honest I never really recovered careerwise or financially. Even my later employment many years later with Weber Carbs was a go no place situation. As always settled for less money due to lack of pride or self worth.

Some good came out of the debacle of the "Merger" It pushed me to move to Carlisle Pa for 5 years, get involved with Classic Car Appraisal and eventually open Vintage Auto Appraisal. Perhaps another Good Accidental Crossroad.