Gary Reiter of Runde Auto Group – Pushin’ For That Rolls Royce

I recently had an opportunity to interview a friendly face here at Runde. Rolls Royce lover Gary Reiter has been a committed member of Runde Auto Group and is always an awesome guy to be around.  Let’s get to know him a little better.

What do you do here at Runde’s?  

I’m the Manager of the Reconditioning Department at Runde Predriven.

How long have you worked here?

Oh, I’ve been here for a little over two years now.

Are you originally from the area?

Yes, I’m originally from Dubuque.

What is your best experience at Runde’s to date?

I’d have to say that when the new Runde car wash got up and running. 

What are your past times / hobbies? 

I collect antiques.  I’d say that my most prized antique is an ivory cane handle that’s shaped like a canine with glass eyes.  It’s from Europe and it’s quite rare … I’m waiting to find a nice wooden cane that I can attach it to.  I imagine that by the time I find the perfect match, I’ll probably be old enough to need the cane to walk.

Married?  

Yes          

Kids?   

I have two kids.  My son is in Madison and my daughter is in California              

Pets?

We have a pet Cockatiel at the house, but it’s not mine.  My daughter sort of left it with us.  I’m not really a bird-person.

Do you have a favorite hang-out spot in the Tri-State area? 

I like to visit Bill’s Antiques on White in Dubuque.

If you were a vehicle, what vehicle would you want to be and why?

I’d be a Rolls Royce.  I love the way they look and the way they drive.  I’ve promised myself that I will own one before I die.

What’s your favorite restaurant in the Tri-States?  

The main restaurant at Eagle Ridge Resort.  It’s over just west of Galena, IL.  We don’t eat there often, but when we do, it’s always good.

What’s your most memorable experience in a car or truck?

I’d have to say it was when I was 17 years old.  I was driving down Kerper Blvd in Dubuque in a 1963 Pontiac Catalina wagon at 128 mph when the motor shut down.  I finally got the car started again and I blew out one of the front tires about 20 feet down the road.  To this day, I’m glad the tire didn’t blow when I was doing 128.

Favorite movie? 

Oh, I don’t know … I’d have to say that Heartbreak Ridge with Clint Eastwood is pretty high on my list.

What’s in the cd player of your car right now?

Shania Twain

Shania Twain?

Yes, Shania Twain.

Where’s the first place you will travel to when you win the lottery?

Paris. We’ve traveled quite bit in the US, but I’ve never been out of the country.  I’d really like the chance to see the Eiffel Tower, the Arc of Triumph, and all the other sights of Paris.

Journey the band, journey the trip, or Journey the vehicle?  

Journey the vehicle.

Chocolate or Vanilla? 

Chocolate

Chevy or Cadillac?  

Cadillac

Favorite actress? 

Julia Roberts

As I thanked Gary for the interview and for his time, he asked me why I didn’t ask him who his favorite actor was.  For the record:  It’s Larry Hagman who played J.R. Ewing on the 80’s TV show Dallas. 

Gary Reiter’s a pretty popular guy around the Runde Predriven store so it’s very unlikely that we’ll ever have to wonder “Who Shot G.R.”  Gary will probably be around for a long, long time … long enough to get that Rolls Royce perhaps.