Meet Richard - Parts Consultant

And now for Richard's comeback to Chris's comment:

You may recall the “endearing” comment made by Chris, our parts consultant, about his partner in crime, Richard. This is Richard:

 
Upon hearing Chris's comment, Richard put on his nicest, most sincere look and with a hint of sarcasm in his voice replied, “The highlight of my job is working with Wieler. Working with Wieler is always a fun time and an adventure!” (We'll translate that to mean, Richard also enjoys the people he works with and our 2 parts consultants certainly keep our parts department fun and interesting!) Richard also said he enjoys the opportunity to meet many new people through his work. Richard began working at West Park this year but had also worked a stint at West Park a few years earlier. He chuckled, “I missed it so much I came back!” When asked what his favourite GM vehicle would be, he replied, “The Camaro, but everybody says that, so I'm going to say (pausing to think...) an '81 Chevette, 4 on the floor. Those things just keep going and the fun times never end!” And as you've probably guessed by now the fun times never end when Richard is around!

Our First 2011 Chevy Cruze

Wonder no more... West Park's first 2011 Chevrolet Cruze has arrived! Our sales team just got back from the official Cruze dealer launch this morning. We are very excited to offer this car to our customers. Come in and let us show you what all the hype is about, including class-leading fuel economy, class-leading safety with 10 standard air bags and standard Stabilitrac.

Chris - Parts Consultant

Chris is one of our Parts Consultants. For 8 years now, West Park's walls have echoed with his contagious laugh! Chris likes it that his job is always different and new, “The variety keeps things interesting.” Within ear shot of Richard (our other parts consultant), Chris also said a highlight of his job was babysitting Richard every day. We'll translate that to mean that Chris enjoys the people he works with! (Stay tuned to hear Richard's comeback on that one!) The first vehicle Chris ever owned was a 1976 4-door Nova. “It was my first car and it was awesome! What didn't that car get used for?!” Chris recalled with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “I also like the '67 Chevelle and '69 GTO Pontiac. Both have a very nice body style. I'd like those for my toys and then an extended or crew cab truck as my practical vehicle. When I have a million dollars I'd like it to be a Duramax.” (Chris, we recommend you go talk to our sales department about a Duramax... It may be more within reach than you are imagining!)

Info on Isaak - Technician

Isaak is another of our technicians. When asked what he liked most about his work, Isaak said, “I like working on the engines, that's what I do the most. I also like the people I work with.” In Isaak's two and a half years at West Park, a highlight for Isaak was when he had to replace a front cover and oil pump on a fire truck. “I had never done it before,” Isaak recalled, “but it all went smoothly and I completed the job in under ½ the allotted time. I like it when jobs turn out like that!” If it's anything mechanical, Isaak will find a way to do it and do it efficiently. Isaak's favourite GM is the Camaro in white with black stripes but he'd like an Equinox for his family.

Meet the Other Ed, Ed G. - Technician

Ed G. enjoys being a technician because it is the kind of job where in the 12 years he's worked here, no 2 days are alike, there isn't a set routine and you are always learning something new. One of the highlights of his job is when the shop gets new computers. “Having a new one always helps to get the jobs done faster and easier.” Ed's specialty is the ever changing, never easy world of vehicle electronics and wiring. He sorts through more miles of wire in a year than many techs do in a lifetime and has installed approximately 500 of the Manitoba Public Insurance Immobilizers. “Another highlight”, Ed says with his contagious smile and a mischievous twinkle in his eye, “is the people I get to work with. They are really fun guys and the spontaneous snowball fights and water fights that have erupted are good memories. And, everyone knows its not over until Terry wins... EVERY TIME!” Ed's favourite GM vehicle is a yellow Corvette but he would also love to own a big truck. Ed said, “As for vehicles I've owned, I don't really have a favourite so far. I'm hoping my favourite will be the one I just bought!”

John R. - Technician

John R. is another one of our technicians who has worked at West Park for a long time. He said, “My career start date was carved into a tablet with a hammer and chisel. It was back in the day when cars came in black and had Model T written on the side!” Okay... really, it was in 1979, one year after finishing high school. In his 30 some years of working at West Park, John has obviously seen technicians come and go. He says he has lots of fun memories of his many colleagues and really misses them when they leave. A highlight for John as a technician is the opportunity to work on many local hot rods and classic cars, which is largely due to having the Legends Car Club in our town. He comments, “It's always a thrill to do a wheel alignment or some other work on these vehicles.” John has seen many changes take place in the shop itself. One highlight is when he got the Front End Machine. It simplified an otherwise more tedious job that required measuring and reading degrees using levels and tape measures. The biggest evolutions John has witnessed in the shop are the advancements in electronics, both in the tools being used and the vehicles themselves. “There is always something changing and something new to learn.” When asked what his favourite vehicle was, John asked, “Two-wheeled or four? Because I really like the '77 Harley that I've custom built with an 88 cubic inch stroker. Maybe not the most practical, but that's my toy! For a favourite practical 4-wheeler I like the Buick Enclave because it is roomy, handles well, it is fun and versatile with 2 wheel drive/all wheel drive options. I must say though, I'm still really happy with my Grand Prix. It is powerful, fun and good on fuel.” If John were to add another toy to his collection, he'd like a Supercharged Cadi or Vette.

An Introduction to Salih - Technician

Salih moved to Canada and joined our reconditioning department only 3 years ago. Before that he briefly lived in Egypt but is originally from Sudan. While here, Salih has been launched into a very steep learning curve. He is learning to live and work in an environment where he says that everything is “100 percent different” from Africa, including a new language! Salih laughed, “Communication problems can make funny stuff happen at work every day! The guys I work with in the shop are very fun, too. Every day I come to work excited and I leave excited. I love it that every day I am still learning something new.” Salih's positive attitude toward his work shows in his finished product. He thrives on detailing vehicles, especially when he can turn something that looks a little old and dirty into something that looks like new again. Salih exclaimed, “I hate dirt, in and on vehicles, and try to get rid of every last piece of it!” When asked to name his favourite vehicle he said, “The yellow Corvette convertible, but my new Chevy Uplander is very good for my family!”