Specialty Auto Repairs

Repair and Restoration of Unique Vehicles

When Rockford Collision Center says we work on all vehicle makes and models, we mean it. In addition to medium- and heavy-duty trucks, we specialize in the competitively priced repair and restoration of emergency response and recreational vehicles. Our auto body shop also works with insurance companies on claims.

As Kent County’s fourth-generation collision repair shop, we’ve earned a stellar reputation as a trusted, local, family-owned business with 100+ years of combined experience. Our specialty auto repair, restoration, and refinishing services include: 

• Emergency response vehicles:
• Ambulances
• Fire trucks
• Police cars/SUVs
• Fiberglass work
• RVs and campers
• Large commercial trucks

The time it takes us to complete the restoration service depends on the season as well as other jobs on our schedule. We work hard to make the proper repairs and get your vehicle ready to return to duty as soon as possible. In addition, all vehicles are fully sanitized before they’re returned to their owners.

The quality of our state-certified technicians’ work is excellent, and we stand behind all we do and offer and a limited lifetime warranty on manufacturer parts. For your peace of mind, all our work is guaranteed in writing. 

While we probably don’t have an ambulance or an RV on hand for you to use, we do offer courtesy loaner vehicles. Local pickup and drop-off are available, too.

Some vehicles log countless hours on city streets answering emergency calls, while others rack up cross-country mileage carrying families to state parks or delivering freight to distribution centers. These rigs face demanding conditions that ordinary passenger cars never encounter. Rockford Collision Center has spent four generations tackling the structural challenges, custom body panels, and complex paint schemes that make specialty vehicles unique. Fleet managers, first-responder agencies, and road-warrior travelers who compare auto collision shops in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding area choose our family-run facility because we combine hands-on craftsmanship with practical scheduling—returning trucks, buses, and RVs to service with workmanship that stands up to Michigan winters and nationwide road trips.

A Shop Equipped for Oversize Jobs

Repairing a heavy-duty apparatus means more than parking it in a regular bay and swapping out a fender. Our building features tall door openings, reinforced concrete floors, and extended paint booths capable of housing ambulances, 40-foot motorhomes, and tandem-axle box trucks. Cranes with soft-strap lifting gear remove battered fiberglass roofs without stressing the underlying frame, and adjustable scaffolding lets technicians reach lighting pods atop rescue vehicles safely. This purpose-built environment distinguishes us from many auto collision shops in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding area that must subcontract large projects to third parties, a delay that can keep critical equipment sidelined for weeks.

Emergency Response Vehicles

Police cruisers, fire engines, and ambulances carry medical supplies, firefighting gear, and communications electronics that cannot be exposed to dust or overspray. Our process starts with a protective seal-off of interior cabinets, oxygen ports, and defibrillator mounts before any grinding or sanding begins. We straighten compartment doors so they open smoothly at the next scene, replace reflective chevrons and department insignias, and color-match specialty paints formulated for high-heat exhaust zones. Final checks confirm warning lights, sirens, and power inverters function flawlessly. Public-safety directors say these comprehensive steps are rare among auto collision shops in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding area, yet they are standard practice in our shop.

Recreational Vehicles and Campers

Sliding into a campground between pine trees often leaves scratches and branch gouges along tall fiberglass walls. Hailstorms dent aluminum roof caps, and road debris chips gel-coat noses. We begin with moisture readings to identify hidden leaks and delamination. Next, technicians laminate reinforcement cloth behind thin skins, rebuild crushed corner moldings, and install roof membranes with continuous adhesive planes that shed water for years to come. Multi-color swoosh graphics are recreated on site with computer-cut vinyl matched to factory hues, saving owners the cost of full-body repainting. Travelers who browse multiple auto collision shops in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding area appreciate our ability to blend structural repairs with visual restoration in one coordinated schedule.

Fiberglass and Composite Panel Expertise

Modern utility bodies, bus front caps, and performance spoilers often rely on composite construction to reduce weight while maintaining strength. Damaged sections cannot simply be hammered flat. Our composite unit fabricates custom backing molds, layers resin-saturated cloth in precise orientations, and cures panels in a temperature-controlled booth. CNC-cut sanding guides restore original contours so paint transitions flow without shadows. The result is a rigid, vibration-resistant surface ready for heavy-use duty cycles—performance that sets our methods apart from quick filler blends sometimes seen at other auto collision shops in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding area.

Commercial Trucks and Fleet Equipment

Box trucks, stake-bed haulers, and day-cab tractors spend long hours on the interstate, where stone impacts and side-swipes can tear aluminum skins or bend steel header rails. We stock rivet-bonded replacement panels, roll out roof sections to factory arch profiles, and pull frame rails on computer-monitored towers that ensure axle alignment meets Department of Transportation requirements. Paint formulas include high-solids urethanes chosen for chemical resistance against diesel exhaust and road salt. These heavy-duty capabilities make our facility a valuable partner for logistics companies seeking reliable turnaround from auto collision shops in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding area.

Restoration Planning and Project Tracking

Specialty repairs often intersect with seasonal deployment: snowplow rigs return to service each fall, while parade fire engines require completion before community festivals. We map parts lead times, body-work phases, and paint-curing windows against client deadlines, then email progress photos at each milestone. This transparency lets owners schedule personnel, route changes, or vacation itineraries without last-minute surprises. Clear planning also avoids the uncertainty sometimes reported by fleet managers who split jobs among multiple auto collision shops in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding area.

Paint Refinishing Tailored for Specialty Surfaces

Rescue pumpers feature high-visibility reds, municipal buses sport advertising wraps, and premium motor coaches wear multi-stage metallics. Our mixing bank reproduces colors from single-stage enamels to modern water-borne bases, and our downdraft booth accommodates vehicles up to 45 feet long. After paint cures, we polish with fine-grade compounds that heighten gloss without thinning edge coatings. Durable clear-coat packages resist ultraviolet fade and chemical runoff, protecting investments for many seasons on the highway or at the job site.

Insurance Documentation and Claims Assistance

Large-loss adjusters need detailed breakdowns when a commercial rig or emergency unit is involved in a collision. Our estimators supply high-resolution images, line-item parts lists, and repair rationales that speed claim approval. When hidden damage emerges, supplemental documents are transmitted within hours, minimizing downtime. Single-source reporting saves agencies and fleet owners the administrative burden of reconciling paperwork from several auto collision shops in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding area.

Sanitization and Final Quality Checks

Public health protocols require a clean interior before ambulances and shared-driver trucks return to operation. After repairs, surfaces are wiped with approved disinfectants, HVAC vents are treated with antimicrobial mist, and touch points undergo an ultraviolet scan to confirm coverage. Exterior inspections measure paint thickness, verify decal placement, and confirm lighting systems meet highway regulations. A short road test listens for squeaks or wind noise around newly installed panels, ensuring the vehicle re-enters service with full operational integrity.

Long-Term Partnership and Preventive Maintenance

Our involvement does not end when a vehicle rolls out the door. We schedule follow-up checks at 30 and 90 days for projects that included extensive structural work or roof resealing. Technicians inspect bonding seams, look for early paint stress, and document wear patterns common to high-duty cycles. These reviews allow small adjustments before they become expensive fixes and reinforce a service philosophy centered on sustaining value, not merely completing a single job.

Why Specialty Owners Choose Rockford Collision Center

The region offers many collision facilities, yet few combine oversized bays, composite expertise, and emergency-vehicle familiarity under one roof. Our fourth-generation heritage brings more than 100 years of combined experience, and each technician contributes niche skills—from aluminum welding certificates to decal layout proficiency. Repeat clients point to consistent communication, accurate timelines, and workmanship that retains resale value. These qualities elevate us in the minds of owners evaluating auto collision shops in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding area for mission-critical or leisure-lifestyle vehicles.

Request a Detailed Estimate

If your fire engine needs a new pump panel, your travel trailer bears storm damage, or your delivery box truck shows frame twist after a curb strike, contact Rockford Collision Center for a specialized assessment. We will outline scope, parts availability, and projected turnaround so decision-makers can plan budgets and schedules with confidence. Experience the benefit of a dedicated partner rather than juggling multiple auto collision shops in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding area. Call or email today to start the conversation and keep your unique vehicle ready for the roads, routes, and responsibilities ahead.

Call for service today. We can meet or beat competitor quotes. Free quotes are ready for your review and approval within 24 hours.

Our Specialty Auto Repair Gallery