reSearch & copyWrite By Mark House
With a challenging goal of carrying on a long-lasting family tradition of the highest quality and complete auto body repair service, Todd Stehr and Derek Jordan have joined in partnership at Stehr's Body Shop in Clinton, Oklahoma, to do just that. Both aspire to maintain such high standards of a "Master Workmen" tradition originated by their ancestors in an earlier part of the previous century.
This family owned and operated business, located at 104 East Gary Boulevard, has provided Clinton and western Oklahoma with the highest quality of auto body service for nearly nine decades. "We've learned from the finest and we're looking forward to providing the same when it comes to our family craft," says Todd Stehr. "We take pride in being from Clinton and our family being able to serve the needs of western Oklahoma for such a long time now."
With a challenging goal of carrying on a long-lasting family tradition of the highest quality and complete auto body repair service, Todd Stehr and Derek Jordan have joined in partnership at Stehr's Body Shop in Clinton, Oklahoma, to do just that. Both aspire to maintain such high standards of a "Master Workmen" tradition originated by their ancestors in an earlier part of the previous century.
This family owned and operated business, located at 104 East Gary Boulevard, has provided Clinton and western Oklahoma with the highest quality of auto body service for nearly nine decades. "We've learned from the finest and we're looking forward to providing the same when it comes to our family craft," says Todd Stehr. "We take pride in being from Clinton and our family being able to serve the needs of western Oklahoma for such a long time now."
This higher standard of service quality has become an expectation of area vehicle owners since William "Bill" Stehr, at the age of twenty-five (25), originally opened one of Clinton's first full service body shops back in 1930. This with the foresight to meet the demand of any and all repairs related to vehicle body damage. From body and fender repair to complete glass installation, Bill and his crew pioneered these types of early day services in the Clinton area. Not as amateurs but with recognition from within the industry and community as "Master Workmen." The elder Stehr's venture into the business thrived as automobile sales aggressively moved forward despite the economical hard times of this so called "depression" era.
In these earlier days of automobiles, William "Bill" Stehr recognized the necessity to offer consumers an alternative to buying new fenders and other damaged and dented car parts that could be repaired to like new condition at a fraction of the cost. Utilizing special methods, his crew of "Master Workmen" were trained to repair any size fender and/or body dents and to completely rebuild any model auto body back into its new condition if needed. Although this process has become more commonplace today, it was quite an accomplishment in the 1930's and quite welcomed by depression era auto owners who certainly benefitted from saving their hard earned dollars.
In these earlier days of automobiles, William "Bill" Stehr recognized the necessity to offer consumers an alternative to buying new fenders and other damaged and dented car parts that could be repaired to like new condition at a fraction of the cost. Utilizing special methods, his crew of "Master Workmen" were trained to repair any size fender and/or body dents and to completely rebuild any model auto body back into its new condition if needed. Although this process has become more commonplace today, it was quite an accomplishment in the 1930's and quite welcomed by depression era auto owners who certainly benefitted from saving their hard earned dollars.
William "Bill" Stehr (far left) founded the Stehr family business that has served Clinton and western Oklahoma with the highest quality of auto body repair service since 1930. William's brother Otto (second from left) was a member of this pioneering crew that earned recognition as "Master Workmen" from within the industry and community.
According to historically published Clinton newspaper details, Bill and his "prompt and reliable" crew provided many of the same services offered by Stehr's Body Shop today. From fender repair, radiator repair, complete auto body rebuilding, auto painting, rebuilt auto tops, auto glass repair and welding of all kinds, these standard services have remained most similar since 1930. Even free estimates, which are still provided today, were offered to auto owners from the body shop's very beginning.
Bill's younger brother, Emanuel Stehr, eventually took over the body shop as owner and operator while providing, perfecting and advancing the company's elite services. Emanuel helped transition from the simpler early day fender and auto body repair needs to include more modern classic car restorations and modifications demanded by automobile and hot rod enthusiasts in the 1950's and 1960's.
From there, and more recently known within the community, Calvin Stehr purchased the business in the late 1960's. Ironically within the family tree of transition, Calvin was the same age (25) as his uncle Bill when the business was originally started in 1930.
Learning the trade with a self-motivation towards quality craftsmanship while working for his father, Calvin took over the reigns of this tradition-rich family business in 1967. Having to emulate the 1930's accommodation of growing demand, Calvin himself had to expand his full-time staff and move to larger location in 1978. As auto repair techniques evolved over the years, Calvin's dedication to quality workmanship and excellent service remained a priority.
With an equivalent level of commitment from Bill and Emanuel Stehr before him, Calvin's contribution to such high levels of quality service established a distinguished standard in western Oklahoma. Stehr's passion for his work and personal restoration of classic cars is undoubtedly well remembered around the Clinton area.
Calvin's enthusiasm and historic "Master Craftsmen" standards are now carried forward by his descendants Todd Stehr and Derek Jordan. As business partners at Stehr's Body Shop, Todd and Derek are teaming up to move the family business forward in this early part of the twenty-first century as the demand for auto body repair has done nothing but grow from the early days to present. "The need for car owners to save money by repairing damaged parts instead of buying new is as relevant today as it was back in the depression era of the 1930's," said Stehr.
As an apprentice learning under the mentorship of his father Calvin, Todd acquired the skills of the trade through hands on hard work and with a dedication to becoming the best in mind. Todd assumed control of the business in 1996 while continuing to improve upon the quality of service and workmanship that became an expectation in western Oklahoma since the doors were opened back in 1930.
Derek also learned the craft of body repair and painting under the tutelage of Calvin Stehr. Both bring a tremendous amount of experience into the partnership. Possessing motivation most similar to their ancestors, to serve as "Master Workmen," Todd and Derek look forward to meeting the projected and continued growth in demand for complete auto body repair service in western Oklahoma. "We've had to expand our crew with the intent of serving our customers in the best way possible," shared Derek Jordan. "We figured it up to be over one hundred and thirty-eight (138) years of professional experience within our current workforce," said Jordan. "That makes me proud to be a part of this business."
According to historically published Clinton newspaper details, Bill and his "prompt and reliable" crew provided many of the same services offered by Stehr's Body Shop today. From fender repair, radiator repair, complete auto body rebuilding, auto painting, rebuilt auto tops, auto glass repair and welding of all kinds, these standard services have remained most similar since 1930. Even free estimates, which are still provided today, were offered to auto owners from the body shop's very beginning.
Bill's younger brother, Emanuel Stehr, eventually took over the body shop as owner and operator while providing, perfecting and advancing the company's elite services. Emanuel helped transition from the simpler early day fender and auto body repair needs to include more modern classic car restorations and modifications demanded by automobile and hot rod enthusiasts in the 1950's and 1960's.
From there, and more recently known within the community, Calvin Stehr purchased the business in the late 1960's. Ironically within the family tree of transition, Calvin was the same age (25) as his uncle Bill when the business was originally started in 1930.
Learning the trade with a self-motivation towards quality craftsmanship while working for his father, Calvin took over the reigns of this tradition-rich family business in 1967. Having to emulate the 1930's accommodation of growing demand, Calvin himself had to expand his full-time staff and move to larger location in 1978. As auto repair techniques evolved over the years, Calvin's dedication to quality workmanship and excellent service remained a priority.
With an equivalent level of commitment from Bill and Emanuel Stehr before him, Calvin's contribution to such high levels of quality service established a distinguished standard in western Oklahoma. Stehr's passion for his work and personal restoration of classic cars is undoubtedly well remembered around the Clinton area.
Calvin's enthusiasm and historic "Master Craftsmen" standards are now carried forward by his descendants Todd Stehr and Derek Jordan. As business partners at Stehr's Body Shop, Todd and Derek are teaming up to move the family business forward in this early part of the twenty-first century as the demand for auto body repair has done nothing but grow from the early days to present. "The need for car owners to save money by repairing damaged parts instead of buying new is as relevant today as it was back in the depression era of the 1930's," said Stehr.
As an apprentice learning under the mentorship of his father Calvin, Todd acquired the skills of the trade through hands on hard work and with a dedication to becoming the best in mind. Todd assumed control of the business in 1996 while continuing to improve upon the quality of service and workmanship that became an expectation in western Oklahoma since the doors were opened back in 1930.
Derek also learned the craft of body repair and painting under the tutelage of Calvin Stehr. Both bring a tremendous amount of experience into the partnership. Possessing motivation most similar to their ancestors, to serve as "Master Workmen," Todd and Derek look forward to meeting the projected and continued growth in demand for complete auto body repair service in western Oklahoma. "We've had to expand our crew with the intent of serving our customers in the best way possible," shared Derek Jordan. "We figured it up to be over one hundred and thirty-eight (138) years of professional experience within our current workforce," said Jordan. "That makes me proud to be a part of this business."
Derek Jordan (far left) and Todd Stehr (far right) have joined in partnership at Stehr's Body Shop in Clinton, Oklahoma. With "Gold Class" certification included, the current workforce at Stehr's Body Shop serves western Oklahoma with a combined one hundred thirty-eight (138) years of professional experience.
From within the professional work crew at Stehr's Body Shop is found a "Gold Class" certification from the nationally recognized I-Car organization which provides advanced education, knowledge and solutions for the collision repair industry. According to I-Car, "Gold Class recognition is the highest role-relevant training achievement recognized by the collision repair industry." I-Car estimates that only ten percent of repair shops nationwide meet this rigorous Gold Class standard. Stehr's Body Shop is recognized as being a part of this exclusive top ten percent nationwide.
From 1930 to present day, the company and its employees have proudly provided complete auto body repair and restoration services including the more modern and all important frame repair. "It all has to start with a straight frame," shares Todd Stehr. "We offer our customers one of the best frame straightening machines in the world from Chief Automotive Technologies. We just call it the 'Chief.' It allows us to diagnose and identify collision damage and we can then repair the damage through pulling the frame, replacing parts and/or welding. This valuable process allows customer vehicles to be recognized as returned to original manufacturer specifications which is very important in regard to resale value," concluded Stehr.
Probably the most unique service offered by Stehr's Body Shop, both in the past and present, is appliance painting. "This service has been provided since the beginning so we continue to offer it now," stated Derek Jordan. "If someone needs their washer or dryer or any other appliance repainted, we enjoy honoring this gesture of the past. Same as in the old days, we also provide all types of Acetylene Welding for those in need," said Jordan.
Possessing one of the top businesses recognized nationally with a "Gold Class" standard, residents of Clinton and western Oklahoma can rest assured their auto body repair demands can and will be met by the best. With such an outstanding history of workmanship accompanied by an astonishing A-Plus rating from Oklahoma's Better Business Bureau, vehicle owners in need of auto body repair services appreciate the confidence of knowing they have access to one of the nation's elite body shops located at 104 East Gary Boulevard in Clinton.
From within the professional work crew at Stehr's Body Shop is found a "Gold Class" certification from the nationally recognized I-Car organization which provides advanced education, knowledge and solutions for the collision repair industry. According to I-Car, "Gold Class recognition is the highest role-relevant training achievement recognized by the collision repair industry." I-Car estimates that only ten percent of repair shops nationwide meet this rigorous Gold Class standard. Stehr's Body Shop is recognized as being a part of this exclusive top ten percent nationwide.
From 1930 to present day, the company and its employees have proudly provided complete auto body repair and restoration services including the more modern and all important frame repair. "It all has to start with a straight frame," shares Todd Stehr. "We offer our customers one of the best frame straightening machines in the world from Chief Automotive Technologies. We just call it the 'Chief.' It allows us to diagnose and identify collision damage and we can then repair the damage through pulling the frame, replacing parts and/or welding. This valuable process allows customer vehicles to be recognized as returned to original manufacturer specifications which is very important in regard to resale value," concluded Stehr.
Probably the most unique service offered by Stehr's Body Shop, both in the past and present, is appliance painting. "This service has been provided since the beginning so we continue to offer it now," stated Derek Jordan. "If someone needs their washer or dryer or any other appliance repainted, we enjoy honoring this gesture of the past. Same as in the old days, we also provide all types of Acetylene Welding for those in need," said Jordan.
Possessing one of the top businesses recognized nationally with a "Gold Class" standard, residents of Clinton and western Oklahoma can rest assured their auto body repair demands can and will be met by the best. With such an outstanding history of workmanship accompanied by an astonishing A-Plus rating from Oklahoma's Better Business Bureau, vehicle owners in need of auto body repair services appreciate the confidence of knowing they have access to one of the nation's elite body shops located at 104 East Gary Boulevard in Clinton.
