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At the age of 6, I prepared my first parts list to build a car. My Christmas list to Santa included a request for a pedal car and a Briggs and Stratton engine. I probably received a Lincoln Log set, or a train set or an erector set . . . but not the requested parts.
Throughout my childhood I always liked cars and knew the subtleties of each year’s new models. I grew up on the farm thinking that I wanted to be a car designer. Not knowing how to make that happen, my creative interests ultimately led me to a couple of degrees in the Visual Arts, as an art teacher, and later into the business world.
 In 1978, while reading a copy of the latest Mechanix Illustrated magazine, I discovered an ad for Blakely Auto Werks, a small company building cars in Davis Junction, IL not far from where I lived. One evening my wife and I drove over to their shop for a look. I was immediately smitten with the snarling purposeful look of the little white 2 seat fiberglass sports car that was looking back at us from the open shop door. It reminded me a bit of the Austin Healey 100/4 that I had fallen in love with in High School. Within only a few weeks I had purchased and completed my very own white Blakely Bearcat. It became my daily driver. Over the next couple of years my friendship with Dick Blakely grew. We had a mutual admiration society. Dick admired my tenacity and craftsmanship while I admired his engineering and design genius.
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In 1980 I began driving to his new shop in Rockford, IL two evenings per week helping him with the design and development of a brand new Blakely. Within a year I had incorporated Emmons Coachworks, Ltd. with the express purpose of building cars.... building Blakelys. My Blakely “E-Class” is the result of more than 7 years development in his shop and mine. Within a couple of years Dick was assisting in my garage and ultimately used my car as the new “plug” to make a full set of molds for production. But, with changes in the liability laws during the 80’s, continuing the car building dream began to fade. The new moulds were ultimately used to produce only one additional car.
In 1988 Emmons Coachworks, Ltd was reborn with a completely new purpose. In October of that year Emmons Coachworks, Ltd. opened in Villa Park, IL as an Automotive Boutique. Within weeks we were recognized by the local newspaper as “A Candy Store for Anyone Who Loves Cars”. For over 20 years we served a wonderful group of customers in the Chicago area, across the country, and in several foreign countries.
In 2011, Matthew Wendorf became the new owner of Emmons Coachworks, Ltd. moving everything but apparel to Los Angeles. While Matthew continues the Emmons Coachworks traditions, Colony Auto Enthusiasts continues the tradition, begun by Emmons Coachworks, of providing quality automotive related apparel while also allowing me to continue to have fun with cars.
We appreciate your friendship and business over the years and hope to continue serving your apparel needs for years to come.
Larry L. Emmons,
President
Colony Auto Enthusiasts
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