Joshua Spencer - The Auto Aficionado

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Professional - Experienced

Auto Detailler - Car Care Specialist

Automobile Lover

Motorsports and Car Photographer

Hello, I'm Josh, The Auto Aficionado.  I am passionate about all things auto, van, truck, SUV, motorcycle, & motorsport.

My love for autos started as a young child and has grown substantially throughout a lifetime of exposures to and experiences in all levels of top-tier national and international racing, car shows, classic and collector car auctions, as well as local, regional, and personal events.

Currently, and over the past seven years, I've worked in the automotive industry.  While my work on vehicles has covered a fairly broad range, my greatest work interests over the past few years relates to vehicle aesthetics.  

I show car love daily by providing car care and professional detailing for customers to ensure their new cars stay looking new or to restore their older cars to look like new.

Additionally, when not detailing or directly caring for vehicles, I'm capturing on camera the beauty of cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more for clients and myself.

As mentioned, my love of automobiles goes all the way back to my preschool and early grade school years.  As a child, I hugely amazed my parents and others with my ability to identify makes and models of cars with great accuracy just by casually glancing at them (often on the interstate as we traveled).  We had a game.  On the interstate, I'd point at a car through the windshield and identify it.  As my Dad got closer to the car, we verified its make and model.  Yep, I was correct just about every time.

Growing up, my grandfather owned an automobile repair business.  During visits, I loved hanging out at his shop.  Maybe some of my maintenance and repair skills were passed down from him.

My father took me to car shows, collector car and classic car auctions, and races from an early age.  He then spent numerous years as a professional motorsports and car photographer.  During that time, I accompanied him on occasion attending the top national and international series car/bike/truck races as well as vehicle auctions and shows.  I loved and still love not only racing, but cars/trucks/vans/SUV's looks, sounds, performance, specs and more.  

I've put a few shots of those times in my Early Years Gallery.  Included, two shots of me behind the wheel driving my first car with any real performance, a convertible Camaro.  On one of my trips to Vegas with Dad for Monster Energy Supercross, we rented that beautiful car.  Although I was only 16 years old, Dad let me do all of the driving.  Looking back, I'm not sure what he was thinking. LOL. I drove the Strip many times both night and day and can say from that experience, the only way to enjoy the lights, sights, and sounds of Vegas is from a convertible.

Dad also took me to Barrett-Jackson.  I was in my glory.  All of the wonderful and varied vehicles for auction, along with the excitement, and buzz can't be fully described. I greatly encourage everyone, if you have the opportunity, go!

Before providing a little work history,  one more of many automobile highlights was seeing Trevor Bayne become the youngest driver ever to win the Daytona 500.  On top of that, it was extra sweet seeing the legendary Wood Brothers win another Daytona 500.

Moving to Colorado after high school, I immediately began work in the automotive field.  My first experiences included auto detailing and car care for a major international car rental organization, work in the tire and wheel industry, and work in the body and paintless dent repair industry with significant experience with hail damage repairs.   

In addition to doing automotive work in Colorado, I spent great times with other car lovers at Bandimere Speedway (Thunder Mountain).  I'm still in shock and greatly saddened that it's scheduled to close at the end of 2023.

Since returning to Wilmington, I've continued to work in the automotive industry with my primary emphasis and specialty being interior and exterior car detailing.  I've also continued performing other work on vehicles as well.

Over the past few years, I've also added freelance motorsports and car photography as a part-time mostly weekend service for clients.

One of my hobbies and a current project I'm working on is preparing my beautiful fun to drive Mazda MX-5 Miata NB for the racetrack.  While my immediate goal is to get behind the wheel and enjoy Track Days at VIR snd other nearby courses, my long range goal is to drive competitively.

My next major hobby related vehicle project is to restore my older VW Westfalia van with pop-up top that I've had for years.