Sponsored Feature:
R&C Automotive spins Tuff Truck talent into business venture
From our weekly issue dated March 10, 2010
Craig Elliott and Rich Miller at work. (Photo by Zina Booth, IVN)
The building in the former industrial park founded by the late Don Gibbs on Old Stage Road had been vacant for more than a decade.
Occasionally it would be used as shelter while decorating floats for parades. Ivy had grown into the building and was thriving in the greenhouse environment, overgrowing countertops, windows and the front door.
That all changed in February, to make room for the newest business in Cave Junction: R&C Automotive and Fabrication is now officially open at 272 Old Stage Road.
Craig & Victoria Elliott, and Rich & Deb Miller have been friends for years. Their children attended pre-school and played T-ball together. Rich and Craig are best buddies, and for years they have been helping Illinois Valley teen-agers build and repair their vehicles.
“Now we are teaming up to do what we used to do for free“ — R&C“s hourly rate includes two mechanics — Craig, a heavy equipment operator and mechanic for more than 30 years; and Rich, who graduated from AAI tech school in Phoenix, Ariz. in 1982 and also has 30 years experience in automotive work.
After both men were laid off from their primary jobs, they decided to branch out and fulfill their goal to open their own shop. They said that with nine bays, R&C Automotive & Fabrication is officially the largest shop with the most secure maintenance yard in Cave Junction, fully gated, with SOS alarms and cameras.
The longtime I.V. residents perform all general auto and heavy equipment repairs, as well as welding and fabrication.
From oil changes to brake jobs on tow, dump and log trucks, to 24-hour roadside assistance for big rigs and diesels, at R&C, they do it all. R&C Automotive offers 24-hour roadside assistance between the California border and Medford.
“If you can“t come to us, we“ll come to you. That“s what a service truck does“ is the R&C motto.
“Even if it“s 1 a.m., phone 541-659-1352, we“ll figure out a way to get you back on the road,“ Victoria assures. She and Deb Miller manage the office during regular business hours Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
R&C has serviced air brake lines at the weigh station in Selma, and worked on equipment preparing the Kerby water line. Since they have lived in the area so long, they know all the local businesses, and if a job is too big for them, they have lots of friends to help get the job done.
R&C Automotive and Fabrication demonstrated proof of their handiwork: their trucks were the winners of both 2008 and 2009 I.V. Lions Club Labor Day Tuff Truck competitions in Cave Junction. And trucks built by R&C won first place in the Tuff Trucks in Grants Pass for eight years.
R&C also does welding and fabrication, so they can custom-build security bars for windows as well as roll bars for trucks. R&C can weld a bucket for your backhoe, and have you back to work within the hour.
R&C Automotive and Fabrication is teaming with non-profit organizations to assist low-income and abused women in obtaining vehicles for reliable transportation.
Cars donated for this cause can be tax write-offs. R&C Automotive and Fabrication then rebuild and repair the vehicles, charging the women for parts only. Those interested in donating cars for a worthwhile cause, or for automotive or fabrication needs, phone 541-659-1352.
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