George’s Auto Repair celebrates 40 years

George’s Automotive owner Steve Sandham recently celebrated the 40th annivesary of the business. (Jeff Helsdon Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

When George Stuyt started George’s Auto Repair 40 years ago, the typical automobile was a different machine than today.

While the computer is the heart of a vehicle today, the electronics were more limited in 1986, although still crucial. Stuyt started in automotive as an electrical technician after initially starting post-secondary education as an electrical engineer. But according to Steve Sandham, the present owner of George’s Auto, the company's founder discovered he had a knack for diagnosing electrical problems in vehicles and became a licensed mechanic.

“He started renting the far bay,” Sandham said of the building at 10 Bridge St. W. “This was the feed mill at the time. As the business developed, he rented another and another until he purchased the building.”

Stuyt’s wife, Annette, was an integral part of the business, handling the administrative side.

“He grew up in Tillsonburg,” Sandham said. “He was the small-town, hard-working, honest mechanic. George prided himself on being able to figure out things a lot of people couldn’t.”

Stuyt’s knack for handling electronics came in handy as vehicles evolved. There were cases he diagnosed issues in vehicles that baffled dealership mechanics.

A celebration was held on June 26 to mark the 40th anniversary of the business, to show appreciation to customers, and talk about old cars and new ones.

“They’re not even the same machines,” Sandham said of today’s cars. “Everything used to be mechanically controlled. Now you’re driving a series of computers on four wheels.”

For instance, he said the throttle pedal, which used to be mechanically linked to the engine, is no longer mechanically connected. Sandham said the gas pedal is technically the accelerator position sensor and is electronic. Likewise, he said the steering wheel is not mechanically connected in new vehicles and is all electronic.

Sandham started working at George’s Auto as a high school co-op student. He then completed his apprenticeship there and became licensed. Sandham comes from a local family with an automotive background – his grandfather, Murray, owned the service department at Eichenberg Motors. Sandham continued that tradition when he purchased George’s Auto in 2018. Stuyt continued to work part-time until 2021, assisting with the transition and electrical diagnosis.

Today, the emphasis on electrical diagnosis continues after Stuyt’s retirement.

“We try to continue everything George started,” Sandham said. “Electrical diagnosis used to be something that was a specialty, but it’s changed to something that is required based on the evolution of the automobile.”

Working on automobiles today requires being able to handle electric vehicles and hybrids.

“Those have been around so long they’re almost an everyday occurrence,” Sandham said of hybrids. He elaborated that electric vehicles still need routine service for their brakes, steering, and suspension. As the owner, he is still on the floor fixing vehicles, so he has a good handle on vehicle changes.

With the shift toward greater automation and electric vehicles, Sandham still sees a bright future for independent automotive repair shops, which are busy.

“There is a high demand for qualified technicians,” he said.

His future plans are to continue the service that George’s Automotive has offered.

“I like to continue on that small-town feeling and continue what George and Annette started,” he said.