L&G Enterprises is Riding into Town: Cool Cruise Just Got Cooler!

Who's going to argue when Ford says its Super Duty truck is built strong, tougher, better.

Admittedly, the Cool Cruise Classic Car Show in La Verne is one of the coolest events hosted by the city each year. The Mother Road, Route 66, blazes right through town does it not? But with all the exhibitors and cars on display where do you start? Whom do you pencil in on your must-see “A” list? Start with L&G Enterprises, which will not only have several classic cars and trucks on display, but Gerry (the “G” to husband Louie’s “L” in L&G Enterprises) has whipped up a smokin’ chili for the chili cook-off as hot, spicy and delicious as any of the logos on their custom paint jobs.

Just as a lot of different ingredients go into Gerry’s chili, many moving parts contribute to the success of L&G, a complete 20,000-square-foot car family-owned and operated center based next door in San Dimas. Perhaps, the family’s slogan describes L&G’s mission best: “We take pride in your ride.”

The “We” are Louie (Charter Oak), Gerry, daughters Theresa (St. Lucy’s) and Sara (Glendora HS), Theresa’s husband Jason (Glendora High), Louie’s parents Lou and Eleanor and a dedicated team of mechanics, painters, custom designers, and repair and restoration specialists. Five days a week, patriarch Lou, at 86, still delivers or picks up parts and accessories anywhere in the Southland — from Glendora, to Compton, to San Diego.

From left, Louie, Gerry, Sara, Theresa and Jason are the main engine driving L&G.

As for the “ride,” it’s been pretty smooth, once the road for success was clear. After Louis, a top mechanic, lost his job when Foothill Ford went out of business in 1982, another ugly recession, he did suspension and mechanical work out of his garage before starting a modest paint and body shop in Glendora. After a decade of building a reputation for his quality work, Louie and Gerry bought a modern 10,000-square-foot building at 882 W. Cienega Ave. in San Dimas, still their current address. In 1994, they bought a similar-sized building in the same complex. With the expansion, they could further grow their collision repair and custom body shop business while also devoting more time and space to Louie’s first love doing suspension and mechanical work in the custom truck shop (CTS).

In a typical week, it’s not unusual for L&G to work on anywhere from 35 to 40 cars, repairing, restoring, repainting, restyling, lifting, lowering, accessorizing, detailing and CAR-ing for the vehicle needs of their customers, many of whom have been with L&G for decades. A peek around any corner will reveal a classic car, truck or motorcycle gem, in some state of disassembly, a 1948 DeSoto, a 1965 VW Bus, a first-generation Camaro, ready to be made whole, beautiful and road or off-road worthy again.

Drive away the blues with a ride like this from L&G.

L&G’s handiwork can be seen at local shows like the Cool Cruise in La Verne this week or on such blockbuster stages as the annual Specialty Equipment Manufacturing Association (SEMA) November show in Las Vegas, Nev., the largest specialty automotive equipment trade event in the world for which L&G prepped and custom painted 13 vehicles last year.

L&G reigns as one of the most modern and best equipped shops in Southern California, with caring certified and professionally trained technicians. They also are insurance claim specialists. (When going through an insurance claim, under California law, drivers have the right to choose the shop you want your vehicle repaired at.)
“We love what we do,” Theresa said.

And that goes for the weekends, too, when the family plays, putting their trucks, motorcycles, quads and sandrails to the test from Pismo Beach to the Glamis sand dunes.

“Our personality has always been to work like crazy during the week and then get away on weekends,” Theresa added. “It’s always worked for us.”

This weekend, the getaway destination for the Morosan clan is La Verne, Calif., home of the Cool Cruise. They’ll be out in force. Say hello, admire their truck and auto artistry, and test the high-octane chili.

L&G is located at 882 W. Cienega Ave. in San Dimas, with hours of operation Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (909) 599-5753 for more information or visit L&G’s Web site at www.landgenterprises.com.

L&G Enterprises headquarters at 882 W. Cienega in San Dimas.