Don Leomazzi

"Fixing Smashed Cars Specialty" – An article on Don Leomazzi's Service Auto Body Works, published in the Los Angeles Evening Citizen News on January 15, 1930. The article highlights the shop's expertise in repairing heavily damaged automobiles, from rebuilding bodies to upholstery work. Located at 5624 Sunset Boulevard, the shop was known for its round-the-clock service and commitment to quality craftsmanship.

"This Service Tow Car Really Dolled Up" – Don Leomazzi, head of Service Auto Body Works at 5624 Sunset Boulevard, showcases his newly customized service tow car in this photo from the Los Angeles Evening Citizen News, November 14, 1934. Built on a 1½-ton Dodge chassis purchased from Herbert R. Pulver, the tow truck was outfitted with a custom body by Leomazzi's shop and featured chrome detailing by the Southern California Plating Co. Leomazzi proudly described it as "the finest tow car on the Coast."

George DuVall's 1929 Ford Model A Roadster. Restyled by Don Leomazzi's Service Auto Body for George DuVall in the mid-1930s. The customizations included full-skirted fenders seamlessly faired into the running boards, solid hood sides, a 1932 Plymouth grille shell, distinctive Wood Lites, ripple discs over Kelsey wire wheels, and DuVall-crafted bumpers and a signature V-windshield. This elegant design exemplifies the innovative custom car styling of the pre-war era.

Don Leomazzi was a notable car builder and auto body specialist based in Los Angeles, California, during the early 20th century. He was the proprietor of Service Auto Body Works, a well-regarded auto body shop located at 5624 Sunset Boulevard, which played a role in the development of custom car culture in the 1930s.

Career and Achievements

Leomazzi's Service Auto Body Works gained recognition for its expertise in repairing and customizing automobiles. The shop offered a wide range of services, including rebuilding automobile bodies, upholstery work, touching up scratches with precise color matching, and providing routine maintenance such as tightening car bodies for regular customers. The shop operated day and night, catering to a diverse clientele in Los Angeles during the Great Depression. A January 15, 1930 article in the Los Angeles Evening Citizen News praised the shop for its commitment to quality and innovative repairs, reassuring motorists that even heavily damaged cars could be restored.

Leomazzi was also known for his craftsmanship in creating custom vehicles. In the mid-1930s, his shop restyled a 1929 Ford Model A Roadster for custom car pioneer George DuVall, incorporating features such as full-skirted fenders, a 1932 Plymouth grille shell, and DuVall's signature V-windshield. This roadster became a quintessential example of pre-war custom car design and demonstrated Leomazzi's influence on the burgeoning custom car movement.

On November 14, 1934, the Los Angeles Evening Citizen News featured Leomazzi's latest creation, a custom-built service tow car on a 1½-ton Dodge chassis. The tow truck's body was built entirely at Service Auto Body Works, while chrome detailing was completed by the Southern California Plating Co. Leomazzi described it as "the finest tow car on the Coast," a testament to his meticulous craftsmanship and flair for standout automotive designs.