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About the Owner and his Qualifications
Don Peers has been
involved with automobiles since the age of 12. Don's
first involvement with cars was his first Soap Box
Derby racer. The car was built and driven by Don and
was raced for 3 year's in the Omaha Soap Box Derby.
Don's best finish was runner up in 1960. Don's next
big step was truly a big one. It was October 1961,
just one month before his 16th birthday. Don
purchased a 1953 Corvette serial number 99. The car
was in bad condition. The left rear quarter panel
was torn off. All other body panels had damage. The
engine was knocking and the transmission was
slipping. The radio and gages were missing. This was
an up hill battle for a 16 year old. With help from
his 20-year-old brother Rich and a good friend Rich
Thorpe (also 16 years old) the project was street
and auto show worthy after two short years.
After High school and
one and a half years of college it was time for Don
to serve his country. A three-year hitch in the U.S.
army was a great experience and proved valuable in
Don’s quest to be involved with automobiles. The
army provided Don with hands on auto & truck repair
schooling, but most importantly he learned how to
weld. The welding experience enabled Don to obtain a
job as an auto body apprentice. Don worked for a
real craftsman Mr. Joseph Blank. Mr. Blank's
experience enabled Don to learn a valuable trade.
This experience also gave Don the opportunity to
re-do his 53 Corvette to show car quality. Don
campaigned the car to a 5th place finish in the
Mid-America region of the International Show Car
Association's Championship Auto Show series.
After working six years in the auto body industry,
Don opened his own collision repair and restoration
shop AA Collision Repair Inc. During Don’s early
years as a shop owner most of his work was
restorations and customizing. The prior Auto Show
experience and Don’s extensive knowledge of
restoring and customizing cars lead to his being
hired by the International Show Car Association to
judge auto shows on a part time basis throughout the
Midwest. Because of Don’s expertise he was often
asked to evaluate vehicles. Seeing a need for an
appraisal service in the Omaha area, Don started
Antique Auto Appraisers Inc. in the fall of 1982.
In 20 plus years, Don
has appraised an endless number of classics,
customs, restored, originals, street rods, corvettes
and exotics. Also because of Don’s vast knowledge of
automobiles Don is often called to evaluate the
repairs of collision damaged vehicles to determine
if there is any diminished value due to the repairs
of the vehicle. Don has recently sold his collision
repair shop of 29 years and is now appraising
collectible cars on a full time basis. Don Is a true
expert with over 20 years of experience, he can
serve all your appraisal and inspection needs.
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