Joe owned, and retired from, Joe's Body Shop in Grass Valley, CA.

His retirement didn't last long after he became bored. He began building small storage buildings on his property, each one serving a purpose, but appearing as a small replica of gas stations from years gone by.

Eventually, he designed his 4,000+ sq. ft. auto shop, had it reviewed and modified by both an architech and an engineer, and then built this nostalgic "Gilmore Gasoline Station".

Step inside with Danny Milligan as Joe gives him the tour!

This is a small storage building and the first building to be seen on the way to the large shop.


The lovely and enviable auto shop, wrapped inside of a Gilmore Gasoline Station's exterior.


       Prices and products to crave!


That's motor oil. The pumped oil went into oil can which had a long hinged spout that was lowered into the motor's oil fill hole. Those glass bottles must have also been used, too!


Sitting at, and leaning onto the retro parts-counter, the shop-talk began immediately between Joe Boivin (l) and Danny Milligan (r).


As Joe showed Danny the painting area, he mentioned a product that he uses to meet the safety standards regarding the toxic elements coming from paints. Needless to say, Joe has large extraction fans and chemical capturing equipment, too.


Then, Joe walked to the east end of his shop, unlocked a door, and then turned on some lights in order to show Danny some of his finished vehicles. Can you see that smile on Danny's face? *nodding* Yeah, Danny fell in love with that truck! It is a 49-Chevy which belonged to Sharon Boivin's late father and Joe restored it for him, as a surprise many, many years ago.


It says "SPECIAL" along side the hood, and there's another word right after it, but I can't read it. It sure is SPECIAL, that's for sure!


Back into the front portion of the shop, Joe shows Danny a book about pin-striping. He especially focused on the work done by "Von Dutch" and explained to Danny that Von Dutch's work was copied by many, however, Von Dutch had a unique business style. He would accept a vehicle for pin-striping, and the owner had no say, what-so-ever, about the finished product. The owner would pay Von Dutch for a set number of 'hours', then they left him alone to create his masterpiece. Later in life Von Dutch created one-of-a-kind knives and guns, many of which he simply gave away as gifts.


This truck, as Joe explained, was painted with a brush, in the hot sun, using red and yellow Rust-O-Leum paint! Not bad, huh?

Gracious Sharon Boivin welcomed Danny Milligan as
she sent her best regards to his mother.


Old gas pumps like these never saw prices of
more than "cents-per-gallon" for gas.


The front part of the shop has many familiar sections: a parts counter, an office space, motorcycle display area, race car space and, of course, lots of memorabilia upon which Danny has a visual feast.


It isn't surprising to see this 40's style booth and table jukebox in an auto body shop, since part of auto repair is the interior work, too.


Just inside of the "shop", Joe begins to show Danny around.



Joe showed Danny the vehicle he's building to run on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.


This is a 1942 Packard Clipper Super with a beautiful Cormorant hood ornament.


This truck sits quitely while waiting for Joe's restorative touch!


C'mon Joe, there's work a-waiting.


What else would you expect to see as an office desk for a body-and-fender fellow? Well, a metal one, of course. And, look at the details on this one!! I never knew a metal desk could look so sweet. You're amazing, Joe Boivin!



If you ever get a chance to meet Joe for yourself, make sure you ask him to show you his Whizzer! It's his pride and joy!
530-273-5117