• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

El Gato Auto Upholstery to Close Shop

August 15, 2012 By Nadeem Muaddi 6 Comments

After 41 years in business, El Gato Auto Upholstery in Campbell, CA is preparing to close its doors for the last time. Louie Hernandez, the shop’s owner and operator, plans to retire at the end of this month – leaving behind a lifetime’s work.

At 78 years old, Louie says it’s time to call it quits. He suffers from bronchiectasis, which affects his breathing and makes it difficult for him to continue in the field. He also has no apprentice or children willing to carry on with the family business.

His customers, of course, are sad to see him go. According to the Silicone Valley’s Mercury News, he’s built quite an impressive following over the years.

Most of his customers have been car lovers– rich, middle-class or guys who should have spent the money on rent instead of leather, bucket seats. But he’s a had a few famous owners rolls in their wheels for a interior makeover.

“Willie Mays brought in his Mercedes,” Hernandez said about the Hall of Fame baseball player for the San Francisco Giants. “He had bought a chocolate brown car phone, and had me change the carpet to chocolate brown to match the phone.”

Race car driver Joe Leonard, who finished third in the Indianapolis 500 twice, brought in a replica of a favorite car for a custom-fitted seat. Hernandez also fashioned race seats for drivers at the old Santa Clara County raceway, including Clyde Palmer, Rod Furtado, Don Babcock Jr. and Lenny Boles. He made 19 motorcycle seats for racer Steve Eklund, a member of the Motorcycle Museum’s Hall of Fame. [more]

Though he’s closing shop, Louie says that he’s not ready to let his passion for car interiors go. In fact, he wants to teach auto upholstery to the next generation of auto trimmers. We hope that Louie realizes that dream; and wish him health, happiness and success in his retirement.

It’s hardworking family businesses like El Gato Auto Upholstery that have sustained our industry for so long. While it’s sad to see a fellow auto upholstery shop close its doors, it’s reassuring to know that our industry is strong and growing.

Filed Under: Archive, Shop Profiles Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, El Gato Auto Upholstery

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Selvage says

    August 15, 2012 at 6:42 am

    I wish you a long and happy retirement Louie! You are a true craftsman and Gentleman.
    Mike Johnson

    Reply
  2. Queiros says

    August 15, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    Congratulations and enjoy your retirement !!

    Reply
  3. EDWARD MUNDAY says

    August 15, 2012 at 6:56 pm

    RETIRED ALREADY, BELIEVE ME LOUIE YOULL GET UP ONE MORNING AND YOULL CATCH YOURSELF HEADING TOWARD YOUR SHOP. ITS THAT HARD TO TURN OFF.

    Reply
    • bill cross says

      August 19, 2012 at 9:43 pm

      am real sorry for your retirement but you have been a good customer and friend back when i started working for scovill and sons.
      thanks for the good times with you and nadine at ottos.

      Reply
  4. Your Niece Cindy says

    August 21, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    Uncle Louie & Auntie Nadine ~ much love to you both. Im so sorry uncle lou. I know its hard for you but you will always be our #1 Upholsterer!! You still rock in my book uncle lou ~ love ya both ~ always your niece Cindy xoxo
    keep your chin up!!! YOU MADE US PROUD & STILL DO!!

    Reply
  5. Renu says

    September 24, 2014 at 12:28 am

    Oh man I am late to hear this news! So sad, call me if you need a side job 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation RIght Rail - Ad 2
Top Down Group
Apex Leather
  • Moore & Giles Ad 1
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • Hyde Leather
  • MasterTech Expo Ad 2
  • Premium Auto Fabrics
  • GAHH Automotive
  • Albright's Supply
  • Keyston Bros

THR Favorites

The Hog Ring - How To Wrap a Shift Knob in Leather

How To Wrap a Shift Knob in Leather

Often times, the smallest upholstery projects … [more] about How To Wrap a Shift Knob in Leather

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - 1969 Chevrolet Camaro - JNG Creations

JNG Creations’ Custom 1969 Camaro

Jean-Noël Greffeuille of JNG Creations in … [more] about JNG Creations’ Custom 1969 Camaro

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Ish Jimenez - West Coast Customs

Talking Shop with Trimmer Ish Jimenez 1

Ish Jimenez, master trimmer and former star … [more] about Talking Shop with Trimmer Ish Jimenez 1

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Sid Chavers 1932 Ford

Photo: Cadillac-Inspired ’32 Ford Bench Seat

This Cadillac-inspired 1932 Ford 3W seat was … [more] about Photo: Cadillac-Inspired ’32 Ford Bench Seat

Why I Build Miniature Car Seats

For the past few years, I’ve been … [more] about Why I Build Miniature Car Seats

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Ish Jimenez - West Coast Customs

Talking Shop with Trimmer Ish Jimenez 3

The third and final installment of our … [more] about Talking Shop with Trimmer Ish Jimenez 3

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Premium Auto Fabrics is Giving Away Hog Ring T-Shirts!
  • Classic Upholstery Won Big at the Rick Ross Car Show
  • Moore & Giles Sponsors The Hog Ring!
  • Trimmer Vincent Robert Mikla Dies at 70
  • Nominate a Trimmer to SEMA’s Hall of Fame

Recent Comments

  • Paul on Why Do We Call It a ‘Glove Box’?
  • Etch on Classic Upholstery Won Big at the Rick Ross Car Show
  • Thomas Wright on Bentley Looks to Mississippi for Veneers
  • Joe payton on Moore & Giles Sponsors The Hog Ring!
  • Tempat Cetak Official on 6 Ways to Transform Plastic into Chrome

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.
anal porno bangbros rus porno yaşlı porno konulu porno olgun porno porno izle sarışın porno bakire sex 69 porno

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in