LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Pimp My Ride!


Photo provided

How often do you hear of a random act of kindness in this tough world? When it happens, it seems almost too good to be true.

Lafayette's Professional Automotive owner David Watson has been getting coffee at Starbucks every morning at the same time every day. That's when he met Howard Hipkins. "He frequents the same store at the same time I do," said Watson. "Suffice to say, I kept seeing his car pull in and noticed that it was in great need of a paint job and a few other repairs. As we continued to learn more about each other, it came to me that this 90-year-old sweetheart of a guy and character deserves a surprise."

Since Professional Automotive offers car detailing along with collision repair and vintage/classic restorations, Watson offered to detail Hipkins' car - a beloved 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass sedan that Hipkins has continuously driven since he bought it brand new on April 26, 1978. "That year (1978) General Motors had a problem with the paint, and my car was paint-less on the top and back," said Hipkins.

What Watson didn't tell Hipkins, however, was that his car was going to receive a full repaint, repair and detail. When he saw his car, Hipkins was shocked and delighted. The car looked as beautiful as when he first bought it nearly 34 years ago. "Dave (Watson) did it for my 90th birthday," said Hipkins. "He did a beautiful job on it. It's amazing!"

"Professional Automotive does this a few times a year for various people in need or randomly along the lines of 'Pimp My Ride' to surprise unsuspecting owners with a gift," said Watson.

Lamorinda Weekly business articles are intended to inform the community about local business activities, not to endorse a particular company, product or service.