Longtime Alliance of Automotive Service Providers/New Jersey (AASP/NJ) member Ted Rainer was the high bidder for the one-of-a-kind NORTHEAST 40th Anniversary Harley-Davidson Softail Slim S Model at this year’s AASP/NJ flagship event. The bike, customized by Nub of Nub Grafix and Peters Body & Fender (Oakland, NJ), was auctioned off through a silent auction that lasted the entire weekend of the show.

Rainer places high importance on who painted the bike and the fact that it is a symbol of the show’s 40th Anniversary. “That is what makes it a piece of art,” he says. “If it was just a regular Harley off the shelf, it wouldn’t mean as much.”

The Ocean Bay Auto Body owner is also honored to ride something that symbolizes AASP/NJ, which has been a major benefit to him over the years.

“I’m proud to own something that represents the association. I don’t think I’d be where I am without AASP/NJ.”

Nub, who attended his third NORTHEAST this year, worked on the bike throughout the weekend, adding pinstriping and impressive flair to parts that were previously painted at his Walden, NY shop. Not surprisingly, this attracted enthusiastic crowds throughout the show.

“I think a lot of people, especially nowadays, look at artwork and any kind of painting and automatically think it’s a decal,” he explains. “A lot of people have the mentality that everything is wrapped and nothing is painted. To actually be out and in front of people performing your craft live benefits everybody in the industry I’m in. The more people are doing it in public, the better.”

Nub was excited to attend NORTHEAST’s 40th Anniversary show – a celebration that offered a memorable experience during an otherwise quiet time for trade shows and other major automotive events.

“It’s a cool show because there’s nothing going on in the winter around here. It’s kind of like a mini SEMA or mini AAPEX; it’s cool to get out and see the products without having to travel to the other side of the country.”

To view video of the bike as well as more of the NORTHEAST 2017 show, visit the NORTHEAST Automotive Services Show on Facebook, the NORTHEAST Automotive Services Show YouTube page (www.youtube.com/user/AASPNJNORTHEAST) or on Twitter @AASPNJNORTHEAST or #NORTHEAST2017.