Top Gun Auto Body Repair to Open in Early 2023
 | Author:
Nancy Marks
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
Top Gun Auto Body Repair to Open in Early 2023 Nancy Marks Ted Culbertson likes Townsend. He likes our rural community well enough to purchase the old Broadwater Ford building and completely refurbish the former car repair and showroom to become a second home to Top Gun Auto Body and Repair which he owns and operates at 2809 York Road in Helena.
In an interview Thursday, Culbertson said his operation in Helena had outgrown his current location. He has 24 employees, but not enough room for all the equipment they need to do their job repairing cars, trucks and “whatever else comes in the door”. The Helena shop will continue operating even after the Townsend location opens sometime in early 2023.
A former Freestyle Motocross rider, Culbertson is no stranger to risk-taking. “I feel the Townsend location for a major recreational vehicle and boat repair shop is perfect. It is right between Bozeman and Helena on a major highway between the two, plus the lake is right there, for boat repair,” he ventured.
Culbertson has been in the auto repair business virtually since he was 16 years old. “I had a full ride to college, but I just couldn’t get pounding on fenders out of my mind." He opened the Helena shop in 2005. The large shop has grown into using computerized estimates, pickup and delivery, and finally full towing services in the Helena area.
The Townsend location will begin with three employees, one of whom is now being trained and who lives in Townsend. “I want to fully engage with the community. I would like to work with the high school shop classes to interest students in entering the auto body repair business. The work has become so computerized, so that means we need young people to match the need,” he explained.
Culbertson was a major sponsor of Townsend’s Fall Fest this year. He intends to get involved in the community’s activities. Townsend has become a hub for auto parts and repair with two parts stores, three tire businesses and three engine repair shops with one small auto body repair shop. Top Gun Auto will complement the services.
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