& HOTRODD SHOP
FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1929
Slim’s Alignment and Hotrodd Shop is a full-service auto repair center offering general and custom auto care services performed by certified technicians.
A family-owned and operated business since 1929, Slim’s Alignment and Hotrodd Shop is dedicated to quality, honest and affordable auto repairs, alignments, window tinting, and welding services. Slim’s is also one of the few shops in Michigan with experience in custom hotrodd service, builds, and modifications.
A History of Auto Service in Eastpointe
Earl Carter, the man that was known to everyone in town as “Slim Carter” was a hard-working East Detroit man working at Hudson Motorcar in the 1920s. An unfortunate industrial accident at the motorcar company cost “Slim” his right arm and ultimately his career. Earl did not let this stop him and his passion. In 1929, he opened the first service station in East Detroit, located on Wilson and Gratiot. His son, Gilbert who would do light mechanical work out of the service station for several years decided it was time to expand the business. He opened his own body and auto repair shop in 1950 named “Slim’s Collision and Alignment” on 10 Mile and Gratiot.
Slim’s Collision and Alignment shop was a huge success in the town and with the rapid growth came an expansion of the business in 1970. In 1975, Gilbert retired and passed down the collision business to his oldest son Dan and the alignment shop to his youngest son, Dave and son-in-law Frank. The business, still growing in 1997, was completely taken over by Dave and Frank, when they made the decision to expand the business to evolve with Dave’s passion—building custom hotrods. The collision shop was turned into a custom hotrodd shop in 1997 and renamed “Slim’s Alignment and Hotrodd shop”. In 2002, Slim’s expanded again and Frank Jr added Window Tinting and Vinyl graphics to their large menu of services that are already provided. In 2008, after 41 years, Frank Sr. decided to step back and pass down his half of the business to his son, Frank Jr.
Today, Slim’s Alignment and Hotrodd shop is still well known in the Eastpointe community and has a large base of dedicated, loyal customers.