Solesbee Auto Crafts Is The Largest Collision Repair Facility In Orange County

Wendell Solesbee is the founder of Solesee Auto Crafts. In high school, he was repairing and customizing his own cars. Wendell was one of the guys you would see at school and say “that’s the guy with the cool car!”. Little did he know that his hobby would become an integral part of other people’s lives and community.

After finishing college with an associates arts degree and a degree in engineering, Wendell set out to make his way! After many years as an electronic engineer working for Rockwell engineering, Autonetics and working on projects like the Apollo moon rocket! He found himself almost working 24/7 with one full time job as an engineer and one part time side job fixing cars. While Wendell was at work Martha Solesbee (his wife) was at home raising (eventually) 7 kids and while being pregnant part of the time, she was at home sanding primer and prepping cars while Wendell was at work. Wendell would come home at lunch, primer or paint the car, then back to work, Martha would prep, Wendell would come home and accomplish the next task.

Then one day Wendell and Martha made the decision to quit his engineering career and make a full time career of custom work and collision repair. Wendell has said “some mornings I would wake up and think…. OH BOY! I have my own shop!!!!” He couldn’t wait to get to work and to experience the next car. Solesbee Auto Crafts became incorporated in 1972 and has been handing out the Famous Solesbee Tee Shirt with every repair Ever since.

Today Solesbee Auto Crafts is the largest collision repair facility in Orange County, is one of a kind in the way it is run and operated, and is run by the 3 brothers of the Solesbee family. Wendell and Martha are still actively involved. The office staff is full of personality and family as well, nieces, nephews, and brother and sister in-laws. Our goal is “every customer a family member”, so….. welcome to the family.