Page Contents
Recommended Vendors
Recommended Vendors (updated 8.20.2011)
Over the years, we at H&B have worked with many people in the car business. We have favorite resources for services as diverse as car audio, detailing, towing . . . pretty much all of the services you occasionally need. These companies are reliable, reasonably priced, and very good at what they do. We are happy to recommend them.
Car Audio
Frank’s of Berkeley • Jim or Bob • 1935 Addison Street, Berkeley 94704 • (510) 548-1434
www.franksofberkeley.comAmong the few businesses in the area which have been around as long as we have. Frank’s has seen a lot of the hatchet shops and gypsy radio installers come and go over the years while maintaining their own high standard. If your car radio can be repaired or upgraded, they will know and give good advice.
Dent Removal
Dent Free • Roger Conte • (510) 895-5525
This is an interesting business, in that not all dents can be removed cost-effectively or completely without body work. So you need a careful appraisal before the work starts and a clear understanding of cost; then you need an absolute perfectionist to make the dents go away. In Roger, you have both.
Detailing
James Alberty • at the S.E. corner of Delaware at San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley • (510) 526-1987
Anyone who knows James will tell you he is a character. Perhaps this comes from his days with Steve Griswold in the Ferrari business. Whatever the reason, he takes great care in bringing back your car’s finish, and has been doing this for forty years.
Paint & Body Work
Uptown Body and Fender • Ms. Giovanna Tanzillo • 401 26th Street, Oakland 94612 • (510) 251-8009
www.uptownbody.comIf you haven’t met Giovanna or Lisandro, you have an experience coming. Not only will they make your car look like new again, they will offer you an espresso when you pick it up. You will be glad you met them: no games or foolishness, just top-quality body and paint work with a minimum of hassle.
Smog Testing
Berkeley Smog Test-Only Center • 1010 Carleton Street, Unit A, Berkeley 94710 • (510) 549-2355
This is a “test only” center which does straightforward testing at a very fair price. As always, we recommend you warm up your car thoroughly first (a 10-minute drive on the freeway) and use premium gasoline. But with this proviso, these people will courteously and quickly test your car and generate accurate results.
Towing
A One Towing • Carlos • (510) 237-0505
Cost-effective local towing for the past fifteen years and more. They are careful with your car, and the price will be right.
Junebug’s Towing and Recovery • Marc Aley • (510) 559-8500 www.junebugstowing.com
Marc also takes pains to protect your valuable car, his prices are good, and he also does “recovery” work to extract your car from difficult spots that will leave the AAA guys stumped.
Upholstery
Alameda Auto Upholstery• Mario Velasquez • 2406 Eagle Avenue, Alameda, 94501 • (510) 523-7552
www.alamedaautoupholstery.comThe car upholstery business is a tough one, and fraught with uneven workmanship and reliability. But if you need high-quality leather work or a convertible top replacement, Mario can do the job correctly and at a fair price. One word of caution: due to airbag wiring and electric motors, most seats are best removed and reinstalled at H&B.
Windshield Replacement
Glass on the Move • Felix or James • (800) 595-GLASS (800 595-4527)
www.autoglassonthemove.comGreat people, professional work, comfortable with insurance companies, and will come either to our shop or to you.
Page Contents