Customized ’74 Bronco is a ‘bucket list thing’
Multi-year rebuild at Krapohl Ford will result in a one-of-a-kind vehicle
Ed Peters’ vision for the perfect Bronco is in the homestretch. For more than two years, the Krapohl Ford Body Shop and service department have followed Ed’s wish list for his 1974 Ford Bronco.
It’s been stripped to its smallest parts and rebuilt from the ground up. In the end, Ed will have a candy-apple-red Bronco with a custom engine.
“I’d been looking for one for years,” said Ed, an oil and gas and real estate businessman who grew up in Mt. Pleasant and owns Petro-Vest, Inc. and is president of Apollo Exploration and Development, Inc. “I tried to buy the red Bronco Krapohl has, but they didn’t want to sell.”
At one point, Ed took lifelong friend and Rise Machine Company owner K.C. Rise to look at an old Bronco that was for sale. Both agreed it wasn’t a fit.
“What do you want?” K.C. said.
“The one I really want is your dad’s,” Ed said. “Why not sell it to me?’ He called me back later that night and said, ‘I know you’ll take care of it.’ ”
The vehicle is extra-special to Ed because K.C.’s father ordered the Bronco from Krapohl in late 1973. In fact, the original window sticker was still in the glove box.
Ed owned several Broncos over the years, but he always admired the one stored by K.C. in a warehouse. He knew it hadn’t been driven in about 20 years, and it had just around 60,000 miles on it. When he turned it over to the Krapohl Body Shop, Ed told them he wanted a unique vehicle.
Body Shop Manager Kevin Telfor said the project would take a long time and that he’d provide regular updates. He made long-time technician Jay Shook the point person.
“It will be one-of-a-kind when it’s finished,” Telfor said. “These projects are fun, but in a high-volume shop like this, they take longer. We’ve had some take three years. But when they are complete, the customer has something special.”
Telfor hopes to have Ed driving his bright red Bronco by spring 2026, complete with updates to provide the comforts of modern vehicles. It also has a custom engine from Roush Performance and a custom hood that has enough room for the engine.
“This is a bucket list thing,” Ed said. “I’m just going to putz around with it.”
‘Just listen to the customer’
Love of cars led Jeff Slocum to a life on Krapohl service desk
As a student at Coleman High School, Jeff Slocum loved working with automobiles.
“Manuel Hagon was my automotive instructor, a great man. He just drew my interest in it, and I liked solving problems and fixing things. It was rewarding,” Jeff said.
By the time he was 19, he was close to earning his associate’s degree in automotive technology and took a job as a service advisor at a dealership in Midland.
“You know, I had every intention of wrenching for a living, but it never worked out that way,” said Jeff, now in his 29th year at Krapohl Ford — the past six as service manager. “I hired on in Midland and worked there as a service advisor for about nine months.”
A fondness for constant action with a commitment to people
A sales job at another dealership was next, but Jeff missed the action of the service desk. He landed at Krapohl as a service advisor, hired by then general manager Brian Smith, whose son, Mark, today is a third-generation co-owner of the dealership.
“Krapohl parted ways with two service managers in the first year I worked here. The owners talked to me a little bit about the role. I told them I wasn’t 100% sure I was ready. I was still quite young, 21 years old.”
Jeff continued to gain confidence and experience, and saw how the service desk is the center of multiple departments working together to put customers back on the road. For instance, if a customer calls with an issue about their vehicle, the service team works out an appointment time, then certified mechanics diagnose the issue. If parts are needed, the service team coordinates with Krapohl’s parts department.
Similarly, customers in the Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center at Krapohl may end up needing work from the service department if a brake issue or other mechanical problem is spotting during an oil change.
Jeff is usually found at the end of the service counter, talking with customers or discussing next steps with the service advisors.
“I do care a lot about people,” Jeff said. “My approach is to listen to the customers and take care of them. That’s all we need to do. The rest will take care of itself.”
Bringing others into an evolving business
Over his four decades at dealerships, vehicle electronics and technology have changed what technicians and advisors need to know.
“Everything’s gone to electronics; something’s always being checked or monitored by a system,” Jeff said. “You need to have more knowledge to work with vehicles now than you did years ago.”
Jeff has helped advance a number of careers at the dealership, both recruiting good people and helping team members excel.
He’s also been part of an advisory group for the Gratiot-Isabella Technical Education Center for more than 30 years and has organized behind-the-scenes tours of Krapohl Ford for students interested in automotive repair. Some have become Krapohl employees.
Classic ’56 Thunderbird is an impressive show car
Jane and Rick Losey often on road for events like the Sept. 4 Krapohl Car Show
Jane Losey loves her 1956 Ford Thunderbird, and car show judges share her affection for the peacock blue and colonial white classic two-seater.
A best-in-show award in Coleman. Best engine honors in Houghton Lake. Most Amazing Two-Seater in Frankenmuth.
Along with her husband, Rick — who takes his 1969 Bahama blue metallic GTO to the shows — the Isabella Lake couple displays many of their honors in a rented airplane hangar.
The Krapohl Ford Car Show is an annual stop, even though there are no judges to impress or awards to take home. Weather permitting, they’ll attend the 2025 show on the Krapohl dealership lot on Thursday, Sept. 4.
“Classic car people are amazing; they’ll tell you anything about their car,” Jane said. “The shows are always so much fun. We know so many people at the Krapohl show, and it’s a great day.”
Rick, with his 1969 GTO, was the first to have a classic show car. Then a friend said he had a 1956 Thunderbird that needed he needed help with as he prepared to sell it. Rick stopped by, immediately thought of Jane and bought it.
Restoration took a long time once they decided to return the Thunderbird to its original 1956 color and styling. “It was a sandblasted, frame-off restoration,” Jane said. “It’s as original as we could make it.”
The Loseys have visited large car shows, such as in Carlisle, Pa., where several are conducted each year, advertised as the “world’s finest car shows and automotive events.”
“There were 3,000 cars, and they put all of the Thunderbirds together, all the Mustangs together,” Jane said. “The second year we went, and they put the Y-block cars together in a huge tent.”
Yes, that included Jane’s Thunderbird, with its classic Ford 312 cubic inch Y-block V-8 engine.
“We had an invitation this year to go back for the 70th anniversary of the Thunderbirds, and they wanted a 1956 to represent that year,” she said. “They had a special barn for the T-birds.”
Speaking of anniversaries, Krapohl Ford is celebrating its 75th year as a locally owned, full-service dealership. We invite everybody to stop by on Sept. 4 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to browse the classic cars, hot rods and other specialty vehicles.
Spot Jane’s T-bird not only by its color, but by the small models and a T-bird logo sign in front of her car.
Support of efforts such as 5th annual Kay’s Way Supply Drive reflect Krapohl legacy
An unassuming, yet powerhouse group of moms, business leaders and community volunteers is the driving force behind Kay’s Way. This year’s supply drive runs May 8 to May 23, benefitting local residents through the Isabella Child Development Center, which has delivered free preschool since 1969, and Foster Closet, which supports youth and teens in foster care.
The annual event generated more than $15,000 in cash and goods in 2024. It is organized by the roughly two dozen members of the Women’s Initiative Committee, which oversees an endowment fund of the same name at the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation.
Their inspiration comes from Kay Krapohl Smith, daughter of Bob Krapohl and niece of his brother, Harold, who together launched Krapohl Ford in 1950. They instilled the trait of giving back in Kay, whose 2008 obituary listed more than 30 volunteer organizations she had served.
Today, her daughter-in-law, Shelly, follows suit, one of the quietly influential women who help bring high-impact, local projects to fruition.
Shelly Smith, a co-owner of Krapohl Ford, is a Women’s Initiative member. She gives credit for Kay’s Way to others, including co-chairs Leah Rau and Shannon Vautrin Brown. She also mentions local philanthropist Judy Smith (not related), who started the Women’s Initiative with Kay in 2003 by raising $80,000 in four weeks to fund the endowment.
While Shelly and her husband, Mark, a third-generation Krapohl owner, usually avoid the limelight, she addresses local commitment below in honor of the dealership’s 75th anniversary.
What was Kay Krapohl Smith like?
Kay was joyful and enthusiastic. She enjoyed all her volunteer efforts and loved the Community Foundation. Kay went out of her way to help people. I remember her hiring international CMU students who were young, sometimes married. They did odd jobs and she’d have them for dinner. Kay believed people shouldn’t suffer; that if we can give them a leg up, we should.
How did Kay inspire your volunteer efforts?
Early on, I joined the Greentree Cooperative Grocery board. I’d never been on a board, but Kay was really encouraging. She said I had to find my passions and serve to advance those. Later, with Kay’s experience as a Community Foundation trustee, we opened a pass-through fund at the Foundation to hold all of the donations for creating the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum.
What’s the significance of Kay’s Way, and what’s your role with it?
Kay’s Way supports the community. You can take supplies to Krapohl Ford or Weichert Realtors|Broadway Realty. You can donate to Isabella Child Development Center or Foster Closet through the Foundation. We’re so fortunate to have the Community Foundation — such a trusted organization — safeguarding local philanthropy.
As for my role, I help promote Kay’s Way, invite others to participate and have hung posters around town.
What’s Krapohl’s involvement in Kay’s Way?
Krapohl is a collection site for supplies, and the staff gets involved by contributing. Mark designates a day — May 21 this year — when 100% of oil change revenue from Quick Lane Tire and Auto is donated to the supply drive. Literally every penny someone pays for an oil change that day will go to Isabella Child Development Center and Foster Closet.
What are your thoughts on Krapohl’s 75th anniversary?
It’s amazing to think of Krapohl Ford as part of the community for 75 years. We’re thankful for how the community and dealership have provided not only for our family, but for the families of everyone who’s worked for Krapohl since 1950. Mark is deeply committed to the community. It means a lot to support organizations that were important to his mom, dad, grandparents and now to us, including the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum and Sleepy Dog Books Foundation.
#LocalDealershipLocalCommitment
Krapohl brothers arrived 75 years ago
Family-owned Ford dealership evolved while staying true to its roots
Robert and Harold Krapohl were doing well in 1949. Robert, 38, was the sales manager at an auto dealership in Grandville. Harold, 36, was manager of the Firestone Rubber Co. store in Bay City.
Robert had a goal of buying a dealership and was in talks with the Grandville owner. The dealership was sold to someone else, however, after the owner suddenly died.
Robert was familiar with cities across Michigan from his time as a Firestone salesman and took up the search for a dealership. In Mt. Pleasant, he found Howard Clifford, who had purchased the Ford dealership at 114 Court Street in July 1949 — just a year earlier — but was open to selling it.
The Krapohl brothers, supported by other family members, reached a sales agreement with Clifford on May 17, 1950.
Krapohl Ford Sales, run by the brothers who had grown up in Bay City, was in business.
“We went through a lot of hard work and long hours early on,” Robert Krapohl said in an Mt. Pleasant Magazine article in January 1997. “It was really hot that first summer, and we’d work all day and then take some time to sit out front of the agency to cool off. We worked a lot of nights and Saturdays and Sundays to get the business established.
“We were lucky. We started off with a bang and had good luck at the business,” he said.
Now, 75 years later, Krapohl Ford is celebrating its semi-sesquicentennial, still owned by the family and still a community-focused dealership.
You’ll see stories and photos this year to highlight the many longtime employees, changes and events of the past 75 years. You’ll also gain insights into Krapohl’s commitment to the community, highlighting some of the causes and organizations supported by the family and dealership throughout the years.
When the Krapohl brothers bought the Court Street dealership, it included cars Clifford donated to sponsor the Mt. Pleasant Driving School. It wasn’t long before those cars displayed “Courtesy of Krapohl Ford Sales Co.”
For Robert and Harold, it was just the beginning of their community involvement.
Sleepy Dog event promotes literacy and love of books
Krapohl Ford among sponsors of inaugural Golden Gala
Signing on as a sponsor of the Sleepy Dogs Books inaugural Golden Gala was an easy decision for Krapohl Ford co-owner Mark Smith.
“The owners, Riley and Jenny Justis, are thinking big in terms of literacy,” he said. “They are impressive, great community supporters, and this is a cause we also champion.”
The Golden Gala, an evening of music, food, drinks, books and more, is set for March 1 from 7-10 p.m. at the Central Michigan University Bovee University Center. Tickets are $60 per person and can be bought online or at Sleepy Dog Books.
Krapohl Ford’s ties to literacy started at home for Smith. His mother, Kay, and grandmother Geraldine, both loved reading books. In 1997, the Robert and Geraldine Krapohl Literacy Fund was launched with the Mount Pleasant Area Community Foundation.
“My grandmother was a huge reader — we still have some of her books,” Smith said. “My wife, Shelly, and I are big readers,” Smith said. “So are our boys. We end up buying books by the dozen, and we end up donating many of them.
“Riley and Jenny make a great case for the cause of literacy on their website.”
For more on the Sleepy Dog Books Foundation, follow the link to read an Epicenter Mt. Pleasant article outlining the various ways Riley and Jenny Justis are working to put books in the hands of children and students.
Push snow aside with a Meyer plow from Krapohl Ford
Need a solid answer to remove all of this snow? Look no further than Krapohl Ford for a quality plow blade
Meyer Products blades of all sizes now are offered through Krapohl. Big blades — straight and V styles — for Ford F-250s and F-350s are in stock at the dealership and can be installed by the Krapohl Body Shop staff. One version, called the Super Blade, is adjustable and can be extended from 8 feet to 10 feet with a push of a button.
“We went with Meyer because they’ve been around for about 100 years, and they offer a five-year warranty, longer than most other manufacturers,” said Curt Gottschalk, manager of special projects at Krapohl.
For other styles of blades, Krapohl can order from Meyer and set a customer up in a few weeks.
“We can handle sales from one blade to a large company that requires 10 to 20 or more,” Gottschalk said.
Meyer salt spreaders also are available for order through Krapohl. Gottschalk said Krapohl is using Meyer blades and salt spreaders on its lot. “The salt spreaders are pretty easy, plug and play,” he said. “They work with anything that has a trailer hitch.”
For more information about purchasing a Meyer snow blade from Krapohl Ford, call 989-772-2991, and ask for Jake Faber or Greg MacDonald.
Are you passionate about cars, trucks, SUVs and eager to learn? Krapohl Ford is seeking motivated individuals to join our team as service apprentices. This is your chance to work alongside Ford Master Certified Technicians and gain hands-on experience in a professional, supportive environment.
Why Choose Krapohl Ford?
No experience needed: Current automotive program students preferred as we seek students for our Ford Sponsor Our Students program. Bring your enthusiasm and basic automotive knowledge — we’ll take care of the rest!
On-the-job training: Learn from the best in the industry with comprehensive, hands-on training.
Career longevity: Many of our team members have built lasting careers at Krapohl Ford, with 10, 20, and even 30+ years of service.
Provided essentials: We’ll supply your work apparel, so you can focus on learning and growing.
Competitive pay: Earn while you learn, with pay based on your experience level.
For more than 75 years, Krapohl Ford has been a trusted name in Mount Pleasant. Join our team and be part of a legacy while building a bright future in the automotive industry.
Apply today: Visit krapohlford.com/careers.aspx to submit your application and take the first step toward a rewarding career.
Now it’s Krapohl Ford, not Krapohl Ford & Lincoln
Lincoln Motor Co., vehicles were sold at 1,200 dealerships in 2010. By the end of 2024, that number was near 400 as the brand concentrates on locations where luxury models are in demand.
In Isabella County, it means the only locally owned, full-service dealership now is called Krapohl Ford.
Co-owners Tom Krapohl and Mark Smith have completed the paperwork necessary to part with Lincoln, a brand it has carried for more than 40 years.
“Ford has been encouraging dealerships nationwide for years to make this move,” Smith said. “At the end of the day, it really only makes sense for the largest dealerships, in metropolitan areas such as Detroit, Grand Rapids and Lansing, to create the distinct and separate showrooms, websites and sales staff Ford wants for the Lincoln brand.
“We are proud to have been a part of Lincoln, and we continue to appreciate the styling and features in its models.”
“Sales or service, we’ll continue to take care of our Lincoln customers. Customers still can have their Lincolns serviced and repaired at Krapohl — including repairs covered under warranty.”
— Mike Helmer, Krapohl Ford general manager
Krapohl Ford General Manager Mike Helmer said while the dealership no longer has new Lincolns on the lot, customers still can work with the sales staff to buy one. The dealership continues to have an allotment of new Lincolns it can order, and the Krapohl sales team also can work with other dealerships to find the Lincoln its customers want. Used Lincolns will continue to be part of Krapohl’s stock.
“Sales or service, we’ll continue to take care of our Lincoln customers,” Helmer said. “Customers still can have their Lincolns serviced and repaired at Krapohl — including repairs covered under warranty.”
The sales team will reach out to current Lincoln owners to let them know of the changes.
Smith said the dealership is evolving in a number of ways, noting the recent additions of pick-up-and-delivery service, a mobile service truck, electric vehicle chargers in the service garage, and a Level 3 DC fast charger EV owners can access on the lot.
The name change takes Krapohl back to its roots, when Harold and Robert Krapohl launched Krapohl Ford Sales Co., on Court Street in downtown Mount Pleasant in 1950.
“We are celebrating our 75th anniversary in 2025, and the transition to Krapohl Ford as our name is a return to our legacy,” Smith said. “More than 99% of our customers buy Fords. It’s truly who we are.”
Many requests are small. “Can we have a charity car wash on your lot?” “Will you sponsor our golf scramble?”
At Krapohl Ford & Lincoln, we often say yes. (Although we haven’t had car washes this summer because of the construction on Pickard.)
Other requests require more money, time and planning, and we consider each opportunity carefully.
Giving back and supporting our community is part of our heritage, because we know it makes a difference in people’s lives. It’s simply who we are.
Examples of our support include driving cancer patients to appointments through our work with Community Cancer Services of Isabella County. We’ve loaned vans to the Humane Animal Treatment Society when they travel to rescue animals in need loving homes, and we support kids and families by sponsoring events and displays at the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum.
We encourage Krapohl team members to connect with causes or nonprofits they personally support and care about. That’s why we sponsor balls for youth soccer and why we expanded our efforts earlier this year with pinwheels and shirts supporting the Isabella County Child Advocacy Center.
The Krapohl Ford Sales Co. automotive dealership was founded in 1950 by two brothers from Bay City — Harold and Robert Krapohl. It didn’t take long before both lived here and were active in the community. Harold, for example, chaired the 1961 Red Cross campaign that covered five counties. Robert twice was elected in the 1960s as president of the board of directors for what was then called Central Michigan Community Hospital.
On social media, you’ll see us use #LocalDealershipLocalCommitment and #WillYouJoinUs. Both hashtags are meant to inspire others to act with compassion as well.
And indeed, Krapohl does not stand alone in supporting vital community organizations. The Little Flower Barn opens the doors of its huge event barn each fall for the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy’s annual Fall Fundraiser. Max & Emily’s provides free downtown concerts. Camille’s Prime was recently featured in the Morning Sun for its fundraising brunches for local nonprofits.
There are many more, of course. Great communities happen when people and businesses come together to help others thrive.
Our next event is the annual Krapohl Car Show on Wednesday, Sept. 4. This free event is a way to show appreciation to our community and customers who have encouraged us, pushed us to go further, and joined us for nearly 75 years in making our communities better places to live and work.
We hope you’ll drop by to enjoy music, classic vehicles, hot rods and more!
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