When you hear the name California Car Cover Company, your first thought must be "they sell car covers." Well, you're definitely right about that, but…{"id":9950,"date":"2017-08-02T13:59:09","date_gmt":"2017-08-02T20:59:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/?p=9950"},"modified":"2017-08-02T14:15:48","modified_gmt":"2017-08-02T21:15:48","slug":"california-car-cover-company-whatever-you-need-weve-got-you-covered","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/2017\/08\/02\/california-car-cover-company-whatever-you-need-weve-got-you-covered\/","title":{"rendered":"California Car Cover Company – Whatever You Need, We’ve Got You Covered!"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you hear the name California Car Cover Company, your first thought must be “they sell car covers.” \u00a0Well, you’re definitely right about that, but they sell so much more than just car covers! \u00a0This family owned and operated business is a regular at the Pomona Swap Meet, setting up on Road 19, Space 2 and Road 20, Space 1<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0at every show. \u00a0<\/span>We recently caught up with Tony DeFrank, Executive Director at the California Car Cover Company to learn a little bit more about the company and how he got started in the industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Pomona Swap Meet:<\/strong>\u00a0 When and how did you get started in this industry?<\/span>
\n Tony DeFrank:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0California Car Cover is our family business. \u00a0My parents, Jim and Loraine, founded the company in 1989 and are still actively involved in operations to this day. \u00a0My brother is our Chief Operations Officer and oversees catalog distribution, inventory control, and e-commerce. \u00a0As Executive Director, I oversee the creative content that our company distributes, such as catalog designs and advertising. I also manage our social media and marketplace team associates. \u00a0I have been running around the hallways of our company since I was a little kid, and have been working at the company full time since 2004.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Jim DeFrank (middle) with sons Tony (left) and Jimmy (right).\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0 What’s the best part of your job?<\/span>
\n TD:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Getting paid to go to car shows around the country is a nice perk of the job. \u00a0I have the opportunity to represent California Car Cover at some of the largest car shows in the country each summer, which is a pretty good gig for an auto enthusiast. \u00a0I also work on all of our catalog photo shoots, so I get to see some incredible private car collections owned by our customers.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Have you always been interested in classic cars?<\/span>
\n TD:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Growing up in our household, it was a given that my brother and I would love classic cars. \u00a0Jimmy is more interested in drag racing vehicles, while I prefer hot rods and classic cars. \u00a0I have been going to car shows since I was a baby with my family, so it’s in my blood. \u00a0I’ve also started taking my daughter to quite a few car shows already, so she is prepared for the classic car lifestyle.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Do you currently own a classic car?<\/span>
\n TD:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0I have a 1967 Chevrolet Nova. \u00a0My father and I found it when I was 16, so it has been in the family for about 20 years. \u00a0It was a very clean car, but we fixed it up a bit. \u00a0It was repainted the original colors and still has the original interior. \u00a0I cruise it to local car shows or Cars and Coffee type events around Los Angeles when I have a chance.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0If you won the lottery tonight, what kind of classic car would you buy?<\/span>
\n TD:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a01951 Ford Sedan. \u00a0I’ve always liked the ’51s. \u00a0I usually keep an eye out for them at the Pomona Swap Meet. \u00a0It’s not a fancy or rare car at all, but I have liked them since I was a teenager.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Any favorite memories of the Pomona Swap Meet that you would like to share with us?<\/span>
\n TD:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0No favorite memories, other than it being another weekend that I get to talk cars with friends, customers, and my father. \u00a0If my father isn’t at a NHRA event the same weekend, you’ll usually find him cruising the Swap Meet or selling parts. \u00a0I enjoy getting to work with him, even if it is seven days a week sometimes!<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0 So Ford or Chevy, or ???<\/span>
\n TD:<\/strong>\u00a0 Both! \u00a0I do have a Chevy Nova in the garage, but my wife and I both have Ford vehicles as our daily drivers. \u00a0I’m sure your Chevy or Ford fanatic readers will find a joke in there somewhere.<\/span><\/p>\n

TELL US ABOUT YOUR COMPANY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0How can customers contact you?<\/span>
\nTD:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0They can come visit our store at 9525 De Soto Avenue, in Chatsworth, Calif., 91311, call us at (800) 423-5525, or visit us online at calcarcover.com<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Tell us a little bit about your company and its history.<\/span>
\n TD:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0California Car Cover was founded by Jim and Loraine DeFrank in 1989. We are still a family owned and operated business based in Chatsworth, Calif. \u00a0We started as just a retailer of custom fit car covers, but have grown to carry a variety of vehicle protection products and automotive accessories. \u00a0Though custom fit car covers are our signature product line, we offer a number of products from the best names in the automotive aftermarket. We like to think that whatever your car care need is, we have it covered.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0How long have you been coming to Pomona?<\/span>
\n TD:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0We’ve been attending the Pomona Swap Meet since 1989. \u00a0But, my father, Jim DeFrank, has been coming to the Pomona Swap Meet since its very first meet.<\/span><\/p>\n

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PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0 So what exactly do you sell then?<\/span>
\n TD:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Custom fit car covers are what we’re best known for, but that’s just the beginning of what we offer. \u00a0On our website and in our catalog, you’ll find thousands of other products catering to the automotive enthusiast. \u00a0We specialize in custom fit accessories, such as floor mats, seat covers, and dash covers. \u00a0Plus, we always have an assortment of collectible signs, apparel, die cast cars, and garage gear that is second to none. \u00a0At the Pomona Swap Meet, we usually bring car covers, our Golden Shine Car Care products, and California Car Duster products.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0What makes your car covers different from the competitors?<\/span>
\n TD:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Our premium car covers are custom fit so they are year, make, and model specific. \u00a0This differentiates us from companies that only sell universal fit or semi-custom type car covers. \u00a0We have also been specializing in custom fit car covers since 1989, so we have an experienced sales and customer service team that can assist customers with any questions, problems, or special projects. \u00a0We stock and ship thousands of the most popular car cover patterns at our warehouse. \u00a0Not too many places have covers in stock for 1931 Ford Model A’s and 2017 Ford Mustangs, and everything in between, like we do.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0What information does a customer need to provide in order for you to make a custom car cover for them?<\/span>
\n TD:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0We have an extensive library of patterns, so we typically have a car pattern available for any production car that’s on the road. \u00a0If someone owns a custom hot rod or a very rare production car, we can provide the customer with a simple dimension sheet to complete and return to us. \u00a0If someone isn’t sure if we have a pattern for their vehicle, they can send us an email or give us a call to check out application guides.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0How long does it take from the time you order your custom car cover to when you receive it in the mail?<\/span>
\n TD:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0We stock our top selling car covers, so most customers receive a custom fit car cover within a week. \u00a0If we need to manufacture a cover, then turnaround time is usually 2-3 weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Are there different style car covers depending on the region you live in? \u00a0For example, it’s very humid in Florida, but very dry in California. \u00a0If I was parking my car outside, would you recommend a different cover based on location and\u00a0weather conditions (snow vs. rain vs. sun, etc.)?<\/span>
\n TD:<\/strong>\u00a0 Yes, we have a handful of different car cover materials that we suggest for particular climates. \u00a0Our website or phone sales team can assist any customer with suggesting the best material for use and climate. \u00a0For example, in the Southwest states, we would probably suggest a car cover material with a higher UV rating, while in the Northeast or Northwest, we recommend a cover with a higher water resistance rating.<\/span><\/p>\n

PSM:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0I just bought a car. \u00a0What products do you recommend that I get to keep my car looking nice, maintained, and protected?<\/span>
\n TD:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Besides a California Car Cover, our Golden Shine Car Care Products and a California Car Duster will definitely keep that vehicle looking new for as long as possible. \u00a0The California Car Duster has been a car care staple since 1989. \u00a0It helps keep your vehicle clean in between car washes. \u00a0Our Golden Shine Car Care line is our signature brand of detailing products.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t