About the Owner
John Bickel started his automotive career as a teenager twisting wrenches with the pit crew of a local stock car racing team. In high school he was employed working in prototype and fiberglass fabrication. A 1977 graduate of Denver Automotive and Diesel College, John graduated at the top of his class earning the prestigious Gold and Bronze Awards in Automotive Collision and Repair and Automotive Paint and Refinish (and earned Leadership Awards in both).
In 1979 John joined the collision shop at Mike Savoie Chevrolet in Troy, Michigan. With a GM Master Technician Certification, John specialized in heavy collision repair, frame straightening, and Corvette fiberglass repair. He is a national ASE Master Technician, Platinum I-CAR certified, and a state-certified collision technician with mechanical certifications.
John left the dealership in 2007 to open State of Mind Customs. In 2008, he was approached by Volkswagen of America’s marketing firm to completely restore six 1964 Beetles within a seven month window for Volkswagen’s “Max Campaign.” As a result, Volkswagens have become the shop’s specialty brand. With over 45 years of experience in the collision repair, prototype, and fiberglass fields, he offers a well-rounded approach to restoration and custom work. With a keen eye for detail and a lifetime spent in the pursuit of excellence, John is uniquely equipped to take on your project.
Our Technicians
Our Technicians are college graduates who have earned their certifications in Automotive Refinish and Paint and/or Automotive Collision and Repair. Our Repair Technicians are certified with the state of Michigan and have received PPG training and certifications. SOMC employs interns who are working towards their certifications in either field.