SNAPSHOT
SNAPSHOT
Sunday, August 25, 2013 | Erie Times-News | GoErie.com | 3E
FOR MORE COVERAGE, VISIT GOERIE.COM/PHOTOS
SHANE FLANIGAN/Erie Times-News
Auto body technicians Brian Palmer, 18, of Wesleyville, left, and Zachary Arlen, 21, of Erie, work on the body of the late Bob Lorei’s 1961 Rambler American at Bonnell’s Rod Shop in Fairview Township. Technicians at the shop finished the project in Lorei’s memory and presented the car to his family.
A living dream By SHANE FLANIGAN [email protected]
S
SHANE FLANIGAN/Erie Times-News
Auto body technician Zachary Arlen, 21, of Erie, left, works on the body of the late Bob Lorei’s 1961 Rambler American while shop owner Scott Bonnell, 53, of Girard Township, Karen Lorei, 66, of Girard, and secretary Anne Schwartz, 27, of Erie, talk.
JARID A. BARRINGER/Erie Times-News
Crew members of Bonnell’s Rod Shop pose with the late Bob Lorei’s finished 1961 Rambler American.
Mechanic Donny Shaner, 42, of Girard Township, left, installs a headlight while Jim Palmer, 64, of Erie, works on the door panels of the late Bob Lorei’s Rambler. Lorei is shown above.
SHANE FLANIGAN/Erie Times-News
SHANE FLANIGAN/Erie Times-News
Adam Nicholson, 37, of Millcreek Township, production manager at Bonnell’s Rod Shop, applies a coat of primer to the late Bob Lorei’s 1961 Rambler American.
omething special has been in the works at Bonnell’s Rod Shop in Fairview Township. Every day the shop’s crew works on several classic auto restorations at once. But the 1961 Rambler American is different. They’re not just fixing up this two-door con- Snapshot is a vertible clas- weekly look at sic. They’re life in making a last- northwestern ing legacy for Pennsylvania. a dear friend who passed before his time. Bob Lorei was always See it: Maybe searching for you were there. his perfect car, Or you wish you restoring and had been. Relive trading away the big moments vehicle after by exploring vehicle, until online galleries he found the of Erie TimesRambler in an News and Erie County GoErie.com barn. photos. You can Sadly, Lorei also order never finished reprints online. the project, dy- Go to GoErie.com/ ing of cancer photos in May 2011 at 67. His friend, Scott Bonnell, wouldn’t let his dream die. “After he had passed, I just thought, ‘I’m going to finish this car for his family,’” said Bonnell, owner of the Rod Shop and Bonnell’s Collision Centers in Millcreek and Fairview townships. For the past year, between other jobs, Bonnell’s crew at the Rod Shop transformed the car from a ragged, rusted shell into a sleek classic representing Lorei’s vision for the project. “Nothing has changed from what he wanted,” said Ed Kurpiewski, another of Lorei’s friends who helped with the restoration. On Aug. 17, the crew presented the car to Lorei’s family, including his widow, Karen Lorei, who is more than grateful. “For their time and effort, the wonderful work they put into it, ‘thank you’ just doesn’t seem enough,” said Lorei. She thinks her husband is pleased, too. “The fact that Bob’s dream came true — he loved that car,” Lorei said. “He’s watching, and he’s smiling.”
Sunday, August 25, 2013 | Erie Times-News | GoErie.com | 3E
FOR MORE COVERAGE, VISIT GOERIE.COM/PHOTOS
SHANE FLANIGAN/Erie Times-News
Auto body technicians Brian Palmer, 18, of Wesleyville, left, and Zachary Arlen, 21, of Erie, work on the body of the late Bob Lorei’s 1961 Rambler American at Bonnell’s Rod Shop in Fairview Township. Technicians at the shop finished the project in Lorei’s memory and presented the car to his family.
A living dream By SHANE FLANIGAN [email protected]
S
SHANE FLANIGAN/Erie Times-News
Auto body technician Zachary Arlen, 21, of Erie, left, works on the body of the late Bob Lorei’s 1961 Rambler American while shop owner Scott Bonnell, 53, of Girard Township, Karen Lorei, 66, of Girard, and secretary Anne Schwartz, 27, of Erie, talk.
JARID A. BARRINGER/Erie Times-News
Crew members of Bonnell’s Rod Shop pose with the late Bob Lorei’s finished 1961 Rambler American.
Mechanic Donny Shaner, 42, of Girard Township, left, installs a headlight while Jim Palmer, 64, of Erie, works on the door panels of the late Bob Lorei’s Rambler. Lorei is shown above.
SHANE FLANIGAN/Erie Times-News
SHANE FLANIGAN/Erie Times-News
Adam Nicholson, 37, of Millcreek Township, production manager at Bonnell’s Rod Shop, applies a coat of primer to the late Bob Lorei’s 1961 Rambler American.
omething special has been in the works at Bonnell’s Rod Shop in Fairview Township. Every day the shop’s crew works on several classic auto restorations at once. But the 1961 Rambler American is different. They’re not just fixing up this two-door con- Snapshot is a vertible clas- weekly look at sic. They’re life in making a last- northwestern ing legacy for Pennsylvania. a dear friend who passed before his time. Bob Lorei was always See it: Maybe searching for you were there. his perfect car, Or you wish you restoring and had been. Relive trading away the big moments vehicle after by exploring vehicle, until online galleries he found the of Erie TimesRambler in an News and Erie County GoErie.com barn. photos. You can Sadly, Lorei also order never finished reprints online. the project, dy- Go to GoErie.com/ ing of cancer photos in May 2011 at 67. His friend, Scott Bonnell, wouldn’t let his dream die. “After he had passed, I just thought, ‘I’m going to finish this car for his family,’” said Bonnell, owner of the Rod Shop and Bonnell’s Collision Centers in Millcreek and Fairview townships. For the past year, between other jobs, Bonnell’s crew at the Rod Shop transformed the car from a ragged, rusted shell into a sleek classic representing Lorei’s vision for the project. “Nothing has changed from what he wanted,” said Ed Kurpiewski, another of Lorei’s friends who helped with the restoration. On Aug. 17, the crew presented the car to Lorei’s family, including his widow, Karen Lorei, who is more than grateful. “For their time and effort, the wonderful work they put into it, ‘thank you’ just doesn’t seem enough,” said Lorei. She thinks her husband is pleased, too. “The fact that Bob’s dream came true — he loved that car,” Lorei said. “He’s watching, and he’s smiling.”
