The Citizen, 1995-08-30, Page 14For refurbishing to refinishing-its McNeil's Auto Body
From collision repair and frame straightening to extensive rust work and refurbishing of
prized antiques, McNeil's Auto Body offers a full range of services for automobile
owners.
Taking over the business in 1977, Don McNeil, along with four licensed and very
knowledgeable body men, work long hours to deliver quality workmanship.
For both older and newer cars, soldering and lead work, sandblasting, complete paint
stripping for modern hysolid priming which can, then be sealed and refinished in acrylic
enamel or an updated base coat and clear coat finish, are offered at the shop.
Custom colour designs are also available.
There is a feeling of pride when challenging jobs such as the complete colour change
and refinish work in special Imron paint on a helicopter, is completed.
Apprenticing and training of employees has provided quality workers for McNeil's
customers.
Dedication to the job earned the
business a national award as the over-all
winner for a two-year project to refurbish
a 1727 Ford Model T touring car, in the
late 80s.
As a special request for a the movie
company producing the Steven Truscott story, McNeil's was asked to prepare two 1958
OPP cruisers, as well as other vehicles of that era.
McNeil hopes to build on the insurance claims portion of his business as well as move
to a more fast-paced, updated style automobile repair facility which will continue to
please his customers in small town fashion.
McNeil's provides written estimates for all auto insurance claims, glass repairs,
framework, restoration, antique and collector cars appraisals and can locate those hard-to-
find parts in the United States or Canada.
For 18 years, patrons have been travelling from near and far to McNeil's Auto Buoy on
Mill St. West in Brussels to get the best in
auto refinishing work.
Whether it is the prized Ferrari,
everyday transportation or work vehicle
which must be in and out in a hurry, the
licensed, experienced professionals at
McNeil's will get you safely back on the
road in an unwrinkled automobile and
they can fix up that old timer as well.
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PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1995.
Brussels Motors
-a family tradition
Come in and see the
NEW DODGE MINI VAN
Just As Original As The Original
The success of the business is quite
apparent by its longevity, almost 50
years, as well as the fact that it is still
run by the nephew of the original owner.
Brussels Motor, located at the north
end of the village on County Road 25,
has been under the sole proprietorship
of Larry Rice since 1985, though many
changes have taken place since the com-
pany was first created in 1947 by Lar-
ry's uncle, Frank "Casey" McCutcheon.
Casey, famous for his white t-shirt,
along with his brother Lorne, started the
business in the core of Brussels, in what
was once Bridge Motors, next to the
post office.
The company, which dealt strictly
with used cars, was run solely by Casey
after 1953 and became a limited corpo-
ration on Jan. 1,1968.
One of the biggest changes for Brus-
sels Motors came in 1960 when Casey
purchased the present property north of
town and erected the new building.
"I used to have 100 cars on the lot and
we would sell as many as five cars on a
good Saturday," he says.
Casey's business was not restricted to
the immediate area. He drew customers
from Kincardine and Walkerton, to
Varna, Bayfield and Kitchener.
It was all just word of mouth, he says.
"I really enjoyed the business and I
knew everyone."
In 1976, when the company was pur-
chased by Mel McCutcheon and Larry
Rice, used cars were still the mainstay
of the business.
In 1985, Larry became the sole owner
and expanded into new vehicles in 1987
when he took on the Chrysler, Dodge
and Plymouth lines.
Brussels Motors, with its two mechan-
ics and office administrator/ parts/sales-
person, offers full service and a large
parts department.
Huron County's Foremost Car Dealer
Brussels 887-6173