Arndt Automotive officially opened its doors in February of 1989. It all started when owner Andy Arndt was thirteen years old riding in his Uncle Jim’s 1961 Ford Starliner with a balanced and blueprinted 390 and a four on the floor. As soon as he felt Uncle Jim drop the clutch, he was hooked and his love for cars began.When he was sixteen he started working on the trucks and tractors at his dad’s farm along with various other cars. Since cars were the only thing he was really interested in, it was easy for him to decide that was what he was going to do to make a living. Andy got involved in mechanics projects in the 4H and FFA programs. He also took classes at Kishwaukee College while he was still enrolled in high school, graduating in 1982 with an associate’s degree in agricultural mechanics. From there he went to work at a farm tractor dealership during his internship and then to a Ford dealership.
After working at a couple of dealerships he realized he wanted to be his own boss and started his own business. Andy started working out of his father’s shop on the farm until he was ready to get his own building. In 1988, he purchased a building in Malta, right off of route 38. He worked for the next year turning it into a suitable shop. Starting out with no employees, things were tough, working six to seven days a week and many nights. Putting all his time and money into the business helped the shop grow into what it is today.
33 years later Arndt Automotive is a family-owned shop with much of Andy’s family working day in and day out. This shop strives to keep up with the consistently changing technology to accurately diagnose, repair, and maintain vehicles at a fair price. Every day Andy passes on his knowledge of cars and the importance of trying to fix and maintain the customers’ cars as he would his own, to his employees.
We’re always happy to tell you more about our beginnings. Just ask if you want us to share more of our story with you.
