Have Truck, Will Help By A m y OrO z cO
At the age of 19 or 20, while taking general education courses at Santa Barbara City College, Ruben Clark fell in love. “One day I walked past an auto class and peeked in,” Clark recalls. “And that was it. Instant love.” And from that fateful moment, Ruben Clark Auto was conceived. “I had no idea what I wanted to do. I passed the auto shop and thought, ‘this is for me.’ I had great teachers, too,” says the Bishop Diego and Mount Carmel alumnus who grew up in Carpinteria spending more time playing sports than tinkering in the automotive world. Childhood included his father, Dr. Eduardo Clark at Carpinteria’s Sansum Clinic, taking the family on camping trips to Mexico. “I fell in love with the Baja 1000,” the younger Clark recalls love at first sight with the off-road race in Baja California. After finishing the automotive program at SBCC, Clark tooled for six years at J & S East Valley Garage in Montecito. Then, about six years ago, he heard about a space that had become available in Carpinteria. Housed on the west end of Carpinteria Avenue, the
900-square-foot shop specializes in off-road fabrication and provides general auto repair: oil changes, brakes, and tune-ups. “Smallest shop in town that I know,” Clark sums up the one-man show that operates from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. “I absolutely love it.” Camping and off-roading remain a part of his family life with his wife, Alyssa, who is a dancer, traveling along. Destinations include Hungry Valley, Castaic, and Ocotillo Wells. They own three vehicles: his 2001 Dodge Ram Diesel truck, her Toyota Corolla, and a project-inthe-works 2009 GMC Sierra truck. Carpinterians make up the bulk of the customer base with some out-of-towners and visitors rounding out the mix. The business participates in community events like parades and the Rods and Roses car show, and Clark is a member of industry-related groups and clubs. “Never in a million years I thought I’d own my own shop. I was given the opportunity, and I went for it,” he says. “I love Carp. I love my hometown.”
When DisAster struck ruben clark remembers getting ready for bed when he saw the glow of the fire in the distance. he set his alarm for every hour to check the status from his Ventura bedroom, a half-mile from the blaze. After ensuring the safety of his mother, who lives near telegraph road, he thought, “there are probably friends who need help.” he posted the availability of his 2001 Dodge ram Diesel truck on instagram and Facebook. calls came into move beds, tow trailers, and to relocate a tiny house project from rincon hill to carpinteria community church. At least eight people from as far away as Pismo volunteered their services, too. clark’s auto shop remained closed during the fire, and he continued to help until his sister’s death later in December. SUMMER2018 39
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