MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. -- Centrally located at the intersection of Joseph Boll Ave. and South Iwo Jima St. aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, the Auto Hobby Shop is a valuable resource available to members of the base community.
A building where metallic overhead surfaces join with cinderblock walls and concrete deck to store a collage of machinery, technical manuals, work tables, tools, rags and an assortment of vehicle-related items, the garage is open seven days a week.
On hand to assist patrons of the shop is auto worker Robert Michaels, who has worked there for two years and has a lifetime of vehicle repair knowledge and family ties to the installation.
“I’ve been turning wrenches since I was in diapers,” said the native of Barstow. “My father was a mechanic at (Maintenance Center Barstow) Yermo for 35 years from 1952 to 87, and I worked with him back then while I was growing up.”
According to Michaels, the automotive facility offers motorists a full array of typical vehicle services they would find outside of MCLB Barstow gates at a much less expensive price.
“Here I can assist you with anything from fixing tires to changing your vehicle’s fluids and performing minor repairs that might need to be done,” he said. “We have two indoor car lifts and one outdoor lift and I’ve seen customers do everything from oil changes to pulling a motor and swapping out an engine.
“It’s a lot cheaper than out in town,” Michaels added, “because out there you would end up paying a certified mechanic about $80 an hour, when at the Hobby Shop you can use our lifts for $5 an hour and do your own work.”
Known for his trademark head bandana, the 42-year-old mechanic is also an avid motorcycle rider who said that his unique choice of fashion is also for safety reasons.
“Working around a place like the hobby shop with long hair, it only took me getting it caught in something a couple of times for me to learn to keep it tucked in,” Michaels said with a chuckle. “I also wore the bandana when I raced dirt bikes for seven years.”
In addition to aiding patrons in maintaining their vehicles, Michaels performs general maintenance and minor repairs to a fleet of more than 130 General Services Administration vehicles on base.
“I service cars, trucks, jeeps and (sports utility vehicles),” he remarked. “I also take care of the vehicles for the base fire department and the Marine Corps Police Department on Nebo and Yermo and make sure they stay up and running.”
Although the help Michaels provides for those whose vehicles play an important role in their very livelihoods can be critical, he doesn’t think of himself as a hero by any means, though he is proud of his role on base.
“Helping people is what we’re here for,” he said. “It’s my job to lend my knowledge and expertise to those who need it. The majority of my customers are active duty military and it’s just one of the little things I can do for them to thank them for what they do for their country.”