Cars are Wheaton shop owner's life, charity is his business

Barbara Atten sits at DuPage Auto & Truck Repair in Wheaton waiting for a mechanic to check out what's going on with the brake light and turn signals on her 1996 Oldsmobile.

The Winfield resident started going to the shop two or three years ago after she had a problem with her brakes just as she was approaching the three-bay service center at 1803 N. Main St.

"I pulled in. They took me in immediately. They fixed the brakes and they've been fixing my car ever since," she said. "I'm very pleased with the service."

That's how it is at DuPage Auto & Truck Repair - satisfied customers keep coming back. In the five years he's been in Wheaton, owner Fred Zobel has gained a reputation for keeping customers' older vehicles running, offering honest service often free or at a discount prices for charity, and doing it all with a smile.

Zobel says his business philosophy is simple.

"I treat them like I would want to be treated," he said. "I love helping people out in need, so I go the extra mile for my customers."

Zobel said 30 percent of the work his shop does is for charity. Churches and organizations with car ministries to provide transportation to people in need send donated vehicles to Zobel's shop to be checked over. World Relief guides refugee families to DuPage Auto & Truck Repair as a good place to get work done on their cars without fear of being cheated.

For regular customers, Zobel sends an employee over to pick up a vehicle if the owner can't make it into the shop. He calls out-of-state parents of Wheaton College students to tell them what's going on with their son or daughter's car.

"I save them money. I really do," Zobel said. "I don't change any parts unnecessarily."

Dick Duncan of Glen Ellyn attests to that. Duncan, who has a business buying and selling cars, said if a car's factory warrant has expired, he'll send a customer to Zobel's shop for repairs.

"It's the only place to go if you want to be treated fair," he said.

A bulletin board filled with thank-you cards and letters is testimony that Zobel has a grateful clientele.

"They're constantly bringing me cookies and cake," he said. "I've got a doughnut around my waist from eating all the stuff they bring me."

Zobel said in five years, he has built a customer base of more than 3,500 that continues to grow. Early next spring, he plans to move from his 1,600-square-foot shop to an 8,000-square-foot space in Carol Stream, near County Farm and St. Charles roads.

Zobel's wife, Wendy, said her husband is simply doing what he loves.

"Cars are his life," she said.

Zobel said he began working on cars in elementary school, raced cars professionally for 15 years, worked in auto parts for 10 years, and owned a repair shop in Elmhurst before moving to Wheaton.

He's found his place, he said.

"I'm thankful for life and for being able to give back," he said. "This is what I'm supposed to do."

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