Monterey Collision & Auto Repair

Americans love cars. To us, they are a symbol of freedom, independence and even if the make is foreign, part of the American dream. Also, there’s nothing better than spending an afternoon, or sometimes even a week, checking out the cars that are part of our history and heritage, or getting a glimpse at what the future holds. If you are a car-show enthusiast, these 10 should be on your bucket list. Some you can even squeeze in this summer and then put the rest on your calendar for next year.  This first one is right in our backyard and is coming up next month, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. This show is part of an entire week of car shows, also worthing of your time. This is a vintage show with around 200 collector vehicles on display, and they usually reveal a surprise upcoming product from one of the auto industry leaders.  The largest and longest running car show in the U.S. is the Chicago Auto Show. This event boasts over one million square feet of sho ... read more

Wondering what to do this 4th of July? Well, let us help you figure that out! You can start celebrating as early as 7:00 A.M. and continue on well into the night. From pancakes for breakfast to the fireworks at night, we’ve compiled plenty to keep you well fed and entertained this Wednesday as we celebrate our 242nd year of independence.  Pancake breakfast 7:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. Monterey Firefighters Charity event held at Fire Station #1, 600 Pacific Street. Fun for the whole family! Arts & crafts for the kids, face painting, and more. $10. Once you finish your yummy breakfast and have the coolest face painting ever, head on over to the annual 4th of July Parade. Make sure to get some great curbside seats along Polk, Alvarado, and Calle P. Parade kicks off at 10:00 A.M. Amble on over to Colton Hall on Pacific for the annual Lawn Party. This is a free event that kicks off at 11:00 A.M. and runs until 4:30 P.M. If you missed out on the face painting at the pancake break ... read more

Did you play with Legos as a kid? Millions of children around the world did, and some never outgrew their obsession with the building block toys. Originally introduced by the Lego Group, a Danish company founded by carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen, the design was repeatedly tweaked until it became the familiar system we know today in 1958. They are made from ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) polymer. All kinds of objects have been constructed with Legos. It truly is a toy whose fun potential is limited only by its users’ imaginations. Here’s a recent example, a life-size Toyota Camry built entirely from Lego bricks…an astounding 500,000 of them:   This project took 900 hours in eight weeks to complete and is astounding in its detail. It weighs around 4,000 pounds, even more than the actual steel car upon which it is m ... read more

In a 1909 meeting, Henry Ford said, “Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black.” In the century-plus since he said that, manufacturers—including Ford—have relaxed that requirement somewhat, offering vehicles painted in a rainbow of colors, up to and including actual rainbows. When you look around while driving, though, it seems like there are just a few colors in everyday use. That begs the question: “just what are the most popular colors for cars these days?” For that, we turn to the experts, in this case, Pittsburgh Plate Glass, better known as PPG. Though as its name implies, PPG was first a glass company, it now is among the top producers of automotive paints. According to Jane E. Harrington, PPG Manager, auto manufacturer’s attitudes have loosened a bit since Ford’s day. “Color and styling choices by original equipment manufacturers must be responsive to differences among potential buy ... read more

  Every April, the Monterey Peninsula comes alive when the City of Pacific Grove shuts down Lighthouse Avenue for two days to accommodate Good Old Days, a truly locals-friendly community event that incorporates food, arts and crafts, live music, a classic car show and--best of all--a good old-fashioned parade complete with marching bands, fire engines, and kids. Locals flock to this event, as it marks the first big event of the season. People see friends they haven’t run into since the previous fall (at the other bookend to the summer season, the West End Celebration in Sand City) and celebrate the fact that they are privileged to live in such a wonderful place. It’s an event for all ages and all tastes. Kids love the petting zoo, pony and carnival rides and the parade. Teens like hanging out on the midway watching dance demos, munching delicious fair food…and the parade. Adults love the fireman’s Challenge, the Beer and Wine Garden (with its own live mus ... read more

  Doc Brown would be proud. Nooka was an American company that designed and produced lifestyle merchandise from, 2004 to 2016. Initially, they were known for avant-garde watches. Founded in New York, NY by artist Matthew Waldman, the company’s products explored the intersection of design and technology. In 2012, Nooka decided to repurpose a few Delorean sports cars as New York City taxicabs. The stunt was intended as promotion for the company. the automobiles have ‘come to symbolize the future’ and communicate the brand’s ‘futuristic philosophy.’ According to Nick Lubrano, the Nooka designer who carried out the concept, “The automobiles have come to symbolize the future and communicate the brand’s futuristic philosophy.” Building the cars in Ireland between 1981 and 1983, the Delorean company eventually folded, due in part to some shady business practices perpetrated by its eponymous founder, John Delorean. But the car&rs ... read more

  When the now-completed roundabout project was first announced, it was met with skepticism. But since its completion, the newly-designed intersection has significantly reduced the bottleneck of traffic that was a daily nuisance on the Holman Highway/Highway 1 merge.   Experienced drivers are having no trouble navigating the feature, and even first-time drivers seem to get the hang of the technique quickly. For those who have not driven through a roundabout before, the City of Monterey and The Transportation Agency for Monterey County produced a fun video demonstrating how it’s done. Click on the photo below to watch it:     There are now roundabouts in other areas of the Monterey Peninsula, including Marina and some Monterey neighborhoods. And transportation officials are considering more--most notably on the always congested Highway 68 corridor between Monterey and ... read more

Car week in Monterey takes place August 11 - 20, and it just so happens to be one of our favorite events here on the Monterey Peninsula! This year’s events will be scattered across Seaside, Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, and Pebble Beach. Monterey Car Week has become one of the most popular car shows in the world. Considering the week-long festivities and famous cars and car designs, it’s no wonder why! The show starts off on Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey with a car show that has over 30 classic cars lining the roads. The events later on in the week at Pebble Beach are so revered that many sponsors and car makers use the stage to introduce new car models and even offer test drives! The sponsors are not only car companies, they are also sponsored by Rolex and a handful of yacht and private jet representatives. It’s certainly a high mark for the attendants to meet, but the great thing about Car Week is that as long as you have a love for cars and make some tim ... read more

Owning a car is a big responsibility for both new and seasoned drivers. In order to reduce stress further down the line, there are a few key things every driver should know. Luckily, these necessary basics are pretty easy to find out!   Learn the basics of maintenance. That means checking things the oil brake fluid, antifreeze, and windshield wiper fluid. Even better, learn to jump your car in case the battery dies and replace a tire. Everything you learn becomes a tool in case of emergency. Why not invest a little bit of time for less of a headache later on?   Find your car’s manual and read it. Read it again! Put it in a place where you can easily locate it again. Why? There is a lot of information specifically for your make, model, and year. Your manual will tell you which maintenance tasks should be prioritized, as well as how often those things should be addressed. Some critical ones to keep in mind are oil changes, wiper blade replacement, filter changes, fl ... read more

    As cars age, you often begin to see discoloration, staining, peeling… all sorts of problems appearing with paint. Although these can be staved off with regular washing and waxing, many have specific, sometimes preventable causes. At Robert’s Collision and Repair, we’ve seen it all when it comes to paint job problems, and we have all the tools and talent to sand down, repaint, repair, and wax your car’s paint job until it is seamless and shiny again. But just in case you’ve got some professional curiosity about how paint problems develop, here’s a few common reasons paint can wear:   Craters and air pockets can develop and mess up a vehicle’s paint job. These are a result of a bad paint job, to begin with. To paint cars, we use a spray gun to coat the vehicle evenly, but if the gun is too close to the car or is moved too slowly, air bubbles can form and when they pop, it peels back that paint. This happens pretty quickly a ... read more

You can think of your vehicle’s paint as its skin. Just like how we have to protect our skin from harm, we have to do the same for our car’s paint. The first step in protecting your car’s paint is to recognize what you should avoid, as a car-owner. The team at Robert’s Collision & Repair has compiled a list of what you should be wary of:   Sun: Just like our skin, the sun’s UV rays can cause severe damage to your vehicle’s paint. In the hot sun, your car’s paint actually expands, which means it can absorb more dirt and grime. Bird droppings: Not only do bird droppings look less than pleasant, they are also harmful to our car’s paint. In fact, they are very acidic, so they are able to easily erode paint and clear-coat finishes quite easily. Tree Sap: It is easy to see why sap is an enemy to our car’s paint. It is sticky, difficult to remove, and an absolute magnet for ... read more

Auto Week is action-packed with a variety of activities for participants and spectators, alike. No matter the event or activity, we are all brought together over one singular passion: cars. Auto Week is an excellent way for us to share our enthusiasm for cars. With such a fun and exciting week ahead, we think it is important to be prepared. Robert’s Collision & Repair has compiled a helpful list of auto week preparation tips:   We recommend dressing for comfort, instead of for style. Don’t forget to take a look at the weather report, before deciding on your outfit. Check each event’s policies and procedures ahead of time. Look to see if the event has any restrictive policies, such as no pets or large bags. Thoroughly plan your day ahead of time. Before the event, decide where you should park, or if there is shuttle service. Bring a camera! This is a fun week, and of course, a photograph will make the moment last just a bit longer. Go as early as p ... read more

Auto Week is almost here. It is time to start getting your car looking fabulous for the upcoming shows on the Monterey Peninsula. It doesn’t matter if you are entering a car show or just going to watch, but you should have your car look its best. Here are a few tips and tricks to make sure your vehicle is show ready:   Don’t forget to clean the engine compartment and undercarriage of your engine. After a wash, we recommend drying it with a chamois or a microfiber towel. Only apply tire dressing, after the tires are completely dry. Make sure to clean surface impurities. You can use a certain type of polish to clean your car and ultimately, restore its shine. Don’t forget to clean your car’s windows. Try not to use Windex, as this is not designed specifically for cars and may damage your car’s interior. You can use newspapers and hot water or cleaner developed specifically for vehicles. Carefully inspect your car for organization and neatnes ... read more

Your car can sure get messy, can’t it? It seems as if after just one road trip with your family, your car is a whirlwind of trash, dirt, and anything else you can think of. The team at Robert’s Collision & Repair totally understands the struggle. That is why we have compiled a list of quick tips to keep your vehicle clean:   Try to avoid eating in your car: It seems easy enough, but it is quite tempting to have a snack on a long road trip. If possible, refrain eating. With eating, comes crumbs, trash, and we are sure you know the rest. Knock your shoes together before getting into the car: When you knock your shoes together, excess gunk and dirt will come right off. It an easy trick to keep your car just a little bit cleaner. Clean messes up as quickly as possible: Oops, your daughter spilled her juice box. You are preoccupied and forget to clean it up until you get home. You get home and are left with a yuc ... read more

Summer is here, so it is time we start thinking about ways to stay cool and comfortable in our car. Fortunately, Robert’s Collision and Repair has you covered. We have compiled a helpful list of how to stay cool as a cucumber in the summer heat:   Park in the shade: Not only will you car thank you, but you will also feel much cooler. Use a sunshade: These windshield covers keep the harmful UV rays at bay. Cover up the leather: Ouch! Sitting on hot leather is painful, to say the least. To counteract this, cover up your car’s  leather with towels. Keep an eye on the seat belts: The metal on the seat belts can get very hot. It is important to keep an eye on this before put them on you or your family. Stay Dehydrated: Bring large bottles of water and ice to keep you and your family cool and hydrated during the summer heat. We love to bring wine, food, or any other perishable ... read more

This year’s car show and festival season are just around the corner. Is your car in tip-top shape, both exteriorly and interiorly? Our team would be delighted to answer that question. When you bring your vehicle in Robert’s Collision and Repair, our team will:   Detail and wash your car to perfection. At our 26,000 square foot facility, we will thoroughly detail your vehicle. Your car’s paint will sparkle. Your wheels and tires will shine. Your car’s carpet will smell and look fresh. Our detailing service is the ultimate facial for your beloved vehicle. We boast the latest and most advanced technology in the industry to service and repair your vehicle. From digital photo imaging to computerized paint mixing, we have it all, and we are not afraid to use it. Your car will in pristine condition for the upcoming show and festival season. Does your vehicle need new tires? Look no further than Robert’s Collision & Repair. Our tire center is here t ... read more

At Robert’s Collision & Repair, we have been assisting with the restoration of the Ingenue Funny Car. Here is what Ingenue / Buick Dealers Group Funny Car has been posting about us on their Facebook page.  :-)   March 9, 2016 Facebook update from Ingenue / Buick Dealers Group Funny Car “Picked up the body and dropped it off...every tech in the place (and it's a BIG place) stopped what they were doing to check out Ingenue,lol...pretty funny actually.” March 9, 2016 Facebook update from Ingenue / Buick Dealers Group Funny Car “Stopped by today and snapped these, Jeff was there yesterday and went over everything that needs to be addressed with Martin who is overseeing the project. Areas were marked and noted and progress was actually being made…” March 15, 2016 Facebook update from ... read more

The Pacific Grove Auto Show happened on Friday, August 19th and there were some terrific looking cars there. We recognized some of our local clients there and their cars. Check out the photos taken by Robert's Auto Repair

Many who love to celebrate the automobile equally love to attend the Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach every year in August. This year's event will be held on August 15, 2010. "First conducted in 1950, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is often said to be the world’s premier celebration of the automobile. Only the most beautiful and rare automobiles are invited to appear on the famed eighteenth fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links each year, and connoisseurs of art and technology congregate to see them.' 'The annual affair, which has raised over $12 million for charity, includes a series of related events, such as the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex, Pebble Beach RetroAuto, Pebble Beach Motoring Classic and the Pebble Beach Auction pr ... read more

As we gear up for summer fun, don't forget to make room in your schedule for the First Annual Pharaohs Rod Run to The Moose on Saturday, July 10, 2010, from Noon to 8 PM, located at the Monterey Moose Lodge on Canyon Del Rey (Highway 218) in Del Rey Oaks!  Here is a map.This is the first-time event for the new local car club, The Pharaohs, and Robert's Auto Repair is proud to be one of the sponsors.Join us between Noon to 8:00 PM on Saturday, July 3, for a family-fun time.  We will have BBQ and beverages, live music, raffle prizes, hot rod roadsters and bikes, and there's even a swimming pool!  Our live music consists of 3 bands:  Chicago Fire, Roadhaus, and Los High Tops ... read more