OUT OF BODY (AND MECHANICAL EXPERIENCES

Why Not?

by THOMAS GRECO, PUBLISHER

Are we ever going to be done with this COVID-19 crap? As I write this, we are in the final stages of planning the 2021 NORTHEAST® Automotive Services Show. You know, the show that was supposed to take place in March 2020? The show that was supposed to take place in August 2020? Here I sit wondering again as I write these words if the show will take place. Don’t get me wrong. I am very confident it will, but after the last year and a half, who the hell knows. My best hope is that you’re reading this on the morning of September 10, preparing to come see the best show of its kind at the Meadowlands during the weekend. With a little luck and a little faith, that’s exactly what will happen. (Then again, you may get this issue after the show takes place because, you know, all the mailboxes have gone missing…) It’s hard for me to believe that I was the same age as my son when I went to my first NORTHEAST show in 1985 (and now he’s laying this magazine out for us). I was 24 and an innocent pup. I didn’t know a damn thing about how vehicles are repaired. Actually, I probably still don’t know a damn thing about how vehicles are repaired. But you guys sure do. And it’s been my job for the last 36 years to put your words into print. I kinda know how to do that. That first NORTHEAST was pretty daunting. I had never been to a show like that. Thankfully, there were people like George Petrask and Ron Mucklow (shout out to Ron and George, who I know still read New Jersey Automotive all these years later!) and the late George Threlfall around to guide me through. Thirty-six years is a long ass time. So many people. So many vendors. So many speakers. So many stories. So many facilities (actually four). The journey has had plenty of bumps along the way. Moving from the Hilton to the Sheraton. From the Sheraton to Suffern. From Suffern to Secaucus (and the lawsuit that came along with that move). Breaking up brawls at the

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Audi dealers strive to make you an Audi Genuine Parts fan

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Flemington Audi

213 Route 202/31 Flemington, NJ 08822 Toll Free: 877.657.2787 Fax: 908.782.1795 email: rmuir@flemington.com www.NJPARTS.com

DCH Millburn Audi

2211 Millburn Ave Maplewood, NJ 07040 Toll Free: 800.553.9250 Direct: 973.762.0262 Fax: 973.762.2381 www.dchmillburnaudi.com

Paul Miller Audi

179 Route 46 East Parsippany, NJ 07054 Toll Free: 800.35.MILLER Parts Direct: 973.575.7793 Fax: 973.575.5911 www.paulmiller.com

Audi Brooklyn

211 63rd Street Brooklyn, NY11220 Phone: 718.492.6400 Fax: 718.492.8899 rmerchant@audibrooklyn.com www.audibrooklyn.com

Bell Audi

782 Route 1 Edison, NJ 08817 732.396.9360 Fax: 732.396.9090 www.bellaudi.com

Town Motors Audi

400 South Dean Street Englewood, NJ 07631 201.227.6506/6536 Fax: 201.541.0314 www.townmotors.com

Jack Daniels Audi of Upper Saddle River

243 Route 17 Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 201.252.1500 Fax: 201.254.1552 tbabcock@jackdanielsmotors.com www.jackdanielsmotors.com

Audi Bridgewater

701 Route 202-206 N Bridgewater, NJ 08807 929.600.9156 Fax: 908.595.0237 parts@audibridgewater.com www.audibridgewater.com