Bob Smith

Bob Smith was raised on a dairy farm and ranch in Gainesville, Texas. He worked as a handyman on the farm and ranch till he attended Oklahoma State University Technical Division. He graduated from OSU in September 1973 and received an Associate Degree in machine shop with a 3.80 grade average. Smith remains connected to OSUIT, serving periodically as an adviser to the School of Automotive Technologies over the last 20 years. Bob was elected to hall of fame at OSU Technical College (OSUIT)

Another technical division he studied was automobile upholstery. After graduating he worked for Secmagraph in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the machining division.

ln January 1974, with 550.00 in his pocket and $135.00 box of tools he started Bob’s Auto Trim in Gainesville, Texas where he did upholstery work.

ln 1983, he changed the name to Bob Smith’s Coachworks lnc., which houses 12 shops under one roof. ln 1991, he started Texas Metal Finishers which is a plating operation. He still operates both today.

Bob has judged many events including: Ferrari Club of America Annual Meet, Pebble Beach, Cavallino Classic, Meadowbrook, Keels and Wheels and Concours ltaliano.

Bob has served on 16 boards including: Advisory Committee of OSU, Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, Gainesville Economic Development Committee, Deacon with First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville, Chairperson for 2001 FCA Annual Meet in Dallas, Chairperson for Gainesville Depot Days, Gainesville Medal of Honor, Italian Car Day at South Fork Ranch, Dallas Symphony Orchestra Concours, Keels and Wheels advisory board, Gypsy Vanner Horse Society and the Great American Race 1996 as chairperson to bring the race to Gainesville for lunch. He served on the board when Texas EPA was rewriting the regulations for plating. He is currently serving on the IACPFA preservation of Ferrari, Woodbine Water Corporation board as secretary and Morton Museum of Gainesville.