Sometimes life will come full circle. When Allen Pennebaker started his job at Orinda Motors in 1976 his duties included pumping gas at the Atlantic Richfield station that is now home of Express Oil Change and Tire Center. The Orinda native and Miramonte graduate went on to work his way through the ranks at Orinda Motors and eventually bought the company with his wife Terry in 1977. The local repair facility has gone through many changes before becoming the establishment known as the community leader that it is today. When Allen found out that the vacant Valero gas station was available he immediately became interested. Looking to expand his business ventures Pennebaker pursued the empty station and went on to become the new owner. He chose the Flying A brand because of the quality of gas and value it represents as well as the connection to the nostalgic connection to the original Flying A station that stood very close to Pennebaker’s new business enterprise. He saw as an opportunity to operate a business on the other side of town that would offer value, excellent service and a connection to the rich history of Orinda. He also saw an opportunity to expend the services offered by Orinda Motors Inc. Allen realized that a full service automotive detail shop would be a good fit for the Lamorinda area. After a complete restoration of the building, Orinda Auto Detail now resides in the bays of the Flying A Gas Station. Offering everything from a simple hand car wash to a complete detail Orinda Auto Detail was born. “I like the idea that we could detail a car, fill the tank with gas and delivery it to their home or business” offering a service that is not available anywhere else reports Pennebaker.
Even though you won’t see Allen pumping gas at the new Flying A, you can count on him making sure that he will offer the best prices in town, full service and the kind of community involvement that Orinda Motors is known for.