At home, Schroeder has restored several “muscle cars” and a wooden 1952 Chris Craft boat. He rebuilt a 1969 Hurst Olds, one of only five Hurst ordered for executives and suppliers. He also redid a 1972 Hurst Olds convertible, one of only 130 such models. “I don’t know how I found the time,” he said.

Among trends Schroeder foresees is the prospect of auto manufacturers switching to 36-volt electrical systems. “That will eliminate relays and allow them to bring in more electronic technology,” he said.

Another tendency in automotive electronics is not as pretty. “It’s tough getting things repaired,” he said. “Everything’s getting disposable. Delco will hardly sell parts for their radios anymore.” He said usually it is much less expensive to replace a car radio with one taken out of a new car than getting a radio repaired.

As electronics change, Schroeder said, his challenge will remain to upgrade car electronic systems “so they will last and look just like factory equipment.”

Doing the job right is another longstanding goal of his. “You can do a job two ways,” he said: “Do it the right way, or the second time the right way.”

Randall Turk

366-3547

rturk@normantranscript.com