PHOTO BY NATHAN PAPES / MPW.62 PHOTO BY NATHAN PAPES / MPW.62
  • The Lewis Legacy
  • By NATHAN PAPES
  • The 62nd Missouri Photo Workshop / Macon, Mo.
  • If everything goes as planned a fourth generation should take over Lewis Body Shop a few years down the road. Two years ago Robert Lewis officially handed over Lewis Body shop to his two sons Cody and Bobby, making it the third generation to run the business.

    Carswell Lewis opened Lewis Auto Body in 1935 on the same location where it still stands today. In 1967 Robert Lewis reopened the shop after his dad had retired and Robert returned from the Air Force.

    “My dad always told me be honest and treat them the way they want to be treated, and that’s what we’ve always done,” said Robert.

    After school Roberts sons Cody and Bobby would head down to the shop. “When I came down after school dad would put me to work” said Bobby. “I started working on bicycles and then graduated into cars.” “I put his butt to work at 14,” Robert commented as he walked by.

    Bobby started working full time in the shop in 1988 and shortly after in 1991 Cody joined him. About 10 years later Robert let his boys start running the shop although not officially signing it over to them till two years ago.

    “More than likely my grandkids will take over the business some day,” said Robert.

    Bobby is perfectly fine with that too. “My oldest boy that’s what he want to do,” said bobby, “he likes hands on things.”

    ***

    Bobby Lewis (left) and Cody Lewis, owners of Lewis Body Shop, look through the trunk opening of a 1967 Ford Fairlane that is under restoration and discuss the best way to clean up weld seams. “I got my first car when I was 12, when I was 13 I started working on it, tearing it down, rebuilding it, putting motors in it and painting it,” said Bobby.



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