Herman Auto Repair and Car Wash --
Tom Sperr, owner
by Olivia Richards,
Herman Review
Dial 677-3330 and you'll connect with Tom Sperr doing business as Herman Auto Repair and Car Wash. His business is located along Highway 9 about a block south of the main business district in Herman at 220 Atlantic Avenue.
Historically, Tom's building was built by the Bergers for a showroom for Berger Chevrolet; Jerry Schmidt of Herman ran a repair business there, and it was also used by Park Manufacturing for a few years.
Tom has three hoists in the repair shop, enabling him to work on three different vehicles at a given time. He is equipped for diagnostic work on engine computers, engine overhaul, brake work including brake lathes for turning drums and rollers, will install shocks and struts, and can provide transmission service.
He carries some parts inventory, but if he doesn't have what's needed, he says he can acquire the parts by the next day. He also has some rebuilt transmissions which he rebuilt himself.
His product line includes Valvoline, AC Delco, and Interstate.
A relative newcomer to the list of businesses in Herman, Tom opened his repair business on March 6, 2000.
After graduating from Morris High School, Tom decided he wanted to be a mechanic. Getting a taste of mechanic work at the Morris Co-op in Morris, he decided to attend Willmar Vocational Technical College, taking a two-year course in auto technology.
While at Willmar, Tom joined the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America. When participating in competition, he won a state contest in auto technology, qualifying him for a national contest in Louisville, Kentucky. He finished in 12th place there, a respectable finish when considering how many were taking part. He met the presidents and CEOs of the Ford Company and General Motors, along with Miss America of 1991. His momentoes include photos with the notable people. Following graduation from Willmar, he worked in several locations, finally coming back to Morris.
While working at Morris Auto Repair for six to seven years, Tom acquired a lot of tools, and thoughts of starting his own business began to take root. The building was available in Herman, and it seemed like the right time to start.
In November of 2000 Tom added a self-serve car wash to the services offered at his business. He built a single-stall, heated concrete building behind the repair building. The car wash is equipped with hot soft water, soap, rinse, a foam filled brush, and optional wax. The four-minute wash costs $1.50. Tokens are available at Gas & Goodies convenience store or from Tom at the repair shop. The car wash is open from 7:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily.
Beyond mechanic work, Tom enjoys snowmobiling and motorcycling. He recently returned from an annual snowmobile trip to Cooke City, Montana, a small town in south central Montana, population 82. Tom said when he started to go there snowmobiling 18 years ago, only 56 people lived there. "If the winter becomes harsh, it can be a remote place to get to," said Tom. "Snowmobiles become the mode of transportation."
During free time in the summer, Tom enjoys riding motorcycle, traveling to Sturgis, South Dakota, on an annual basis. He has a new shiny, custom cycle he's anxious to take next summer. He saved quite a bit of money by finishing the fabrication himself.
Tom is open for business at Herman Auto Repair Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. For appointments and inquiries, telephone 320-677-3330. He'll do his best to accommodate you, when repair work or adjustments are needed on your car or light truck vehicle.
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