PERRYSVILLE — Crown Jewel Automotive launched in July 2023 with a focus on restoration work.
Jeffrey Smith, owner of Crown Jewel Automotive, began operations in Mansfield. Smith and his team moved the business to Galion before ultimately landing at its current location in Perrysville at 150 Pottery St. — in the former Mansfield Plumbing Products factory.
After setting up shop in Perrysville, Smith said the primary focus of the business began to shift from restoration work to collision repairs. The shop prides itself on quick turnaround times for its customers.
Crown Jewel Automotive is equipped with its own in-house paint-mixing machine, paint booth, frame rack and two-post lift, among other pieces of repair work infrastructure. The shop also offers a lifetime warranty for all of its paintwork.
“We can do anything that needs to be done to a collision job in-house without subbing it out to another shop,” Smith said.
Crown Jewel Automotive is a direct repair facility through State Farm Insurance, but the business will work with all insurance companies.
Since setting up in Perrysville, Smith said he has seen an influx of customers from Ashland and Mansfield due to body shops in those cities being backed up on jobs.
Restoration work, while taking more of a backseat role, is still something Crown Jewel Automotive values.
Smith said his business typically completes one restoration job per year for the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction — which attracts classic and collector car owners and automotive enthusiasts from around the world.
Below are photos taken at Crown Jewel Automotive’s shop in Perrysville. Credit: Hayden Gray
Smith credits exceptional staff
Crown Jewel Automotive has four staff members. Smith said he has a shop full of great employees.
“Without them, it would be hard to function — it really would,” the owner said. “They’re great guys and some of the most talented people that I’ve seen.”
Crown Jewel Automotive operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Thursday. The 25,000 square-foot facility is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and is closed on weekends. The shop can be reached by phone at 567-303-4673.
There is also an after-hours drop box at the 150 Pottery St. shop. Smith said if there is a vehicle which has been in an accident and is not drivable, it can be towed directly to the shop.
Below are more photos of work completed by Crown Jewel Automotive. These photos are courtesy of Jeffrey Smith, owner of Crown Jewel Automotive.
The inspiration behind Crown Jewel Automotive
Smith’s passion for cars was sparked during his childhood, inspired by his late father’s love for collecting antique automobiles.
When Smith was a 9-year-old, his father picked up a 1955 Ford Crown Victoria from Michigan. The car stayed in the family until Smith was 21 before being sold.
After his father passed away in February 2024, Smith and his girlfriend began searching online for the Crown Victoria.
“We found the car. It was in West Virginia,” he said. “Now the car is sitting back there (inside the shop).”
Smith said he could not have found the Crown Victoria or gotten it back home without the help and motivation of his girlfriend. He credits her entirely.
The Crown Victoria inspired Smith to name the business Crown Jewel Automotive, Smith said. The car’s distinctive emblem and intricate script guided Smith to pay homage to the vehicle which fueled his early love for cars.