Mark Turner enjoys fixing $1,000 cars or $100,000 cars. “There’s just a lot of satisfaction about providing a quality service to customers, no matter the value of the car,” he said. This 1977 graduate of Bedford High School is manager of Lincoln Highway Auto Center in Schellsburg, overseeing the shop’s general repair and body work. Turner began his career after high school, learning on the job at body shops in the area. As his expertise grew, so did his responsibilities - he managed Bedford Ford’s body shop and spent eight years as a claims adjuster for a major insurance company. He began his current position three years ago. “There’s a real need for both a body shop and general garage in Schellsburg. People shouldn’t have to go 20 miles round trip to get their oil changed, or have their car inspected.” Turner said. “We can do anything mechanical they need to have done on a car.” But while providing general mechanical repairs is an important service, the company is perhaps best known for its body shop work, particularly its restorations. About half of the body shop business comes through repairing collision damage for contemporary cars; the other half is focused on restoring classic cars, with 1960s and 1970s “muscle” cars such as Corvettes and Mustangs being the most popular. “We’ll have hundreds of hours in a full restoration. It’s painstaking, challenging work,” Turner said. Once restored to their original off-the-showroom condition, they may sell for up to $250,000.

Turner said he recommends his profession to young people - with a few caveats. “This isn’t easy work. It’s physically demanding and its one of the dirtiest jobs you can do.” He was drawn to the profession because he always liked to work with his hands and “just loved cool cars,” so for him the hard-work is worth it. He sees a lot of kids who think they want to make a career of bodywork, but once reality sets in they change their minds. “It’s important for them to get out in the real world and see what happens in a body shop,” he said. “Job shadow, intern, just hang out - there are lots of people who can give them advice in the business.” A technical education would be a real plus - either in high school or a post-high-school program. “They give you a good basis for getting into the profession,” he said. “This job is not easy, but for me it’s been very rewarding.”

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