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Auto Exper t Restores Paint to Perfection SHORTCUTS NEIGHBORS 86 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R / F A L L 2 0 1 4 Local car restorer Jesse Cruz (with a 1954 Chevy Bel Air chop-top custom) has seen some of his fine paint and bodywork on the winner's stage at the Pebble Beach Concours after working his way up from his dad's Salinas garage. Photo: Kelli Uldall O nly the most superb pieces of automotive art get to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance ramp. The ones who do are accom- panied by their proud owners, basking in the attention, glory and acco- lades. Most attendees never think about the talented, dedicated, hard- working artisans whose expertise elevates these machines to the pinna- cle of perfection. Jesse Cruz is one such unsung hero, an expert at the application of the fine paint finishes that bring awestruck oohs and aahs from car show attendees. Cruz has been wrenching on cars as long as he can remember. "My dad and my sister Grace both worked on their cars and showed me some stuff," the soft-spoken Salinas native says. "Grace was part of the [Salinas] car culture and introduced me to that." The movie "American Graffiti" set the hook and he began hanging around the shop of legendary custom hot rod builder Rod Powell. "I started as a helper, but soon was painting and doing body work," Cruz says. After honing his craft at Salinas High School and Hartnell College, Cruz landed a job with Indian Motorcycle Company in Gilroy, starting as a painter and rapidly advancing to managing his department. The plant closed in 2003 and he knew it was time to strike out on his own. He began working on restorations for local collectors, including avid car buff Don Orosco, who asked Cruz to paint an important restoration project: the 1932 Ford Coupe originally customized by Lloyd Bakan in the 1950s, a car that took first place in its class at the 2007 Concours. Teaming up with another pal, Cole Foster of Salinas Boyz Customs, Cruz applied the deep-as-the-Pacific black finish on a '36 Ford for Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett. "Jesse is a total pro," Foster says. "A car he worked on won the Concours. What else can you say?" Now, his reputation is such that work just comes his way. "You never know," he laughs. "The phone rings…next thing a Cobra is coming my way." For information call 831/578-9558. —Michael Chatf ield