50 years on the road: Local repair shop marks five decades of service

Terry Hilker, front and his son, Jarrod Hilker, have restored many cars, including Jarrod’s 1936 Ford Coupe. While the exterior has been brought back to its original pristine condition, the interior, including the engine and transmission, are all brand-new with all the modern conveniences of today’s vehicles, including back-up cameras and air conditioning.

Lorri Sughroue/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — In December 2024, Terry Hilker of McCook marked a significant milestone: 50 years since he first opened his doors to his auto repair and classic car restoration shop. What began in a small, rented space at 17 South Street has grown into a thriving business and for Hilker, it’s been a life-long passion.

“I’ve been self-taught my whole life and while I didn’t have formal schooling, I’ve always had my hands in mechanical work,” he said.

Growing up in McCook, Hilker said he was always fascinated with mechanical systems and by the time he was 10, was already working on his dad’s car. After graduating from McCook High School in 1966, he joined the U.S. Navy. After serving on a Navy destroyer and making two trips to Southeast Asia, he returned home in 1971. His first job upon returning was at a camper facility in San Diego, Calif., where he honed his skills in repair work.

It wasn’t long before Hilker made his way back to his roots in Nebraska. He found work at a local Dodge dealership, where he would eventually become the service manager. However, in December of 1974, he decided it was time to take a leap and start his own business.

Starting with just a few stalls in what was then Duke’s Body Shop, Terry’s Auto Repair was born. The business operated out of that small space during its first winter before moving to a more visible location on B Street. After a few years, Hilker had the opportunity to buy the property where the business still stands today, adding an expansion in the early 1990s to accommodate growth.

One of the most special aspects of Hilker journey is how closely intertwined his family is with the business. His son, Jarrod, was born the same year the shop opened and grew up in the business. After attending trade school, Jarrod returned to the shop and has been working alongside his father ever since. While Terry still pops in daily, he describes himself as “semi-retired” at the age of 77, letting Jarrod take the lead as the shop’s primary operator.

For Hilker, the best part of running his own business is the freedom it provides. “The independence and flexibility are what I like most,” he said. “It’s not just about running a shop—it’s about choosing the work we want to do.” With their free time, he and Jarrod specialize in what they really like to do: high-end detailed classic car restoration. Nearly every aspect of restoration is done in-house, including custom upholstery and stainless steel trim. They’ve restored about 30 cars so far, for themselves and for customers.

Over the past five decades, Hilker witnessed the evolution of the auto repair industry, with computers and sophisticated diagnostic tools revolutionizing car maintenance. While he admitted that adapting to new technologies hasn’t always been easy, he and Jarrod work together to keep the shop current. Hilker brings his knowledge of older vehicles and traditional mechanical systems, while Jarrod focuses on the more modern, computer-driven aspects of repairs. “He keeps me around for the old stuff, you know, because I understand points and condensers and he knows the new computer systems,” he said.

The demand for their services, whether restoration or vehicle repair, means they always have plenty of work. “The day-to-day work is very important,” Hilker said. “And then, if we do slow down for a while, we have the restoration work to fall back on. We’re never standing around looking for something to do, we’re always busy.”

For Hilker, auto repair isn’t just a job, it’s about problem-solving, creativity and craftsmanship. After 50 years, he’s not planning on slowing down anytime soon. “As long as I feel good, I’ll keep going,” he said.

Hilker and his wife, Tammie, have two children and six grandchildren. Their son, Jarrod and his wife, Julie, are the parents of three daughters and their daughter, Toni Fila and her husband, Chris, also have three daughters.