Adopting one animal won't change the world, but it will change the world for that one animal.

Joe’s FIRSTS

First to color the faring and saddle bags on Harley Davidsons

     Circa mid-1970s: Miami Florida

Joe purchased a new full dress H-D motorcycle. The fenders and fuel tank were silver grey, but the saddle bags and faring were white. White was the only color available no matter what color the bike was.  I had our body shop paint mine to match. When the HD dealer (Phil Peterson) saw the bike all painted to match he was impressed and took a photo that he sent to HD headquarters and the rest is history.  Since then all farings and saddle bags are colored to match the rest of the bike.

First to put gold on cars.

     Circa 1978: Braman Cadillac Miami Florida

Norman Braman introduced a Gucci version of a Cadillac model.  I was service manager there during that time (only for a few months) and Mr. Gucci and the team were trying to come up with an idea to embellish the design.  It was my idea to gold plate the insignias and other trim, which they did.  It wasn’t too long after that gold logs appeared on many vehicles almost to a frenzy until around 2009.

First to offer black chrome on cars

     Circa 1980: Miami Florida

While operating Kleen Wheels, Joe introduced a line of custom door edge guards for M-B and BMW vehicle in black chrome.  Black door edge guards are available for most all vehicles today in plastic.

First to put branded logos on RV mud flaps

     Circa 2001: Tampa RV Super Show

A friend bought a new Safari motorhome that had a plain black mud flap across the back underside of the vehicle.  Joe’s company custom laser-cut a polished stainless steel piece the length of the mud flap with the logo and name, and added it to the mud flap during the RV Super Show.  It wasn’t long after; the manufacturers picked up on the idea and made them standard on their vehicles.