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Beyond that, in the process he’s introduced me to Ray, who turned out to be the antique clock expert who rebuilt my grandfather’s clock; to Wendy, purveyor of the best French fries in the area; to Bruce, who cared as much about his Acura NSX as I did about my vintage Porsche, and on and on.

Pickering, Ont. Folks often find their way to RNJ Tires having heard that Paul Ross’ mastery of on-car balancing borders on the mystical, but it’s the company that keeps them coming back as well as the service.

One of a kind

Ross himself has been described by customers as a wizard, philosopher and confessor. He feels the pain a car experiences from an imbalanced tire, he’ll say, one hand on the fender of the car while trying yet another weight placement. Every 8,000 km of city area driving, he’ll insist, this treatment will save you money, smooth your ride, reduce your road rage.

Asked what RNJ stands for, his answers vary. Rhythm ‘N’ Jazz, his musical enthusiasms, he says a lot.

More recently it was Ross’ Natural Journey. “It’s all interaction with the people that come through the door,” he says, “all part of the learning experience of life. Just going down the river. Ross’ Natural Journey is basically it.”

Whatever. He opened his first shop in 1971, after jobs with Dunlop and Goodyear, and as time has passed ‘membership’ in the RNJ club has grown to some 350 to 400. “I’m more of a consultant than a sales person,” he continues, “so it has taken me a long time to get to this point. But now I find I get friends

and families, grownup children – and when a relationship splits, I get both sides.”

Making people comfortable

Car lovers feel at home, but Ross is prouder of the fact that non-motorheads relate. Indeed, he sells as many Hankook 845 tires as performance rubber. “I had an 80-year-old woman say, ‘When I talk to you I feel comfortable, you have a manner about you,’ and that really meant a lot. Last month I got a letter

from a customer thanking me for reminding him of the children’s book ‘Paddle to the Sea,’ that I keep here on the bookshelf. See, there’s a lot more to life than tires.”

At the other extreme are customers like Bob Agostino. “Within two days of taking delivery of a car, I’m here to replace the factory rubber,” explains dies salesman Agostino, whose Pontiac Prix GTP is shod with Michelin Pilot Sport AS tires during the non-snow months, Pirelli 240 when the going gets slippery. “There are guys like me who are in three or four times a year for rotation and balance. When Paul’s satisfied, it’s like riding on glass.”

Ross’ daughter, 23-year-old Gillian, gets on the phone to remind customers of the coming season. Son Craig, 25, mounted most of the wheels for this year’s winter duty. “I’m kissing 60,” Ross said. “After a while it’s siesta time. Let’s just say I’m really glad to see Craig getting involved.” RNJ’s legions of loyal customers feel relieved as well. The thought of another generation carrying on the on-car balancing smoothes our ride in every way.

In a World of Big Business

Small still is Beautiful

Tire shop or social club?

His one-bay operation in this eastern suburb of Toronto operates as much as a social club as a tire shop.

A customer arriving for an appointment is introduced to the one whose vehicle is undergoing the finishing touches, with Ross manning the Hunter floor machine that propels a wheel as he applies one weight after another in search of perfection. Conversation, between bursts of the Hunter’s hum, can be counted on. Over the decades, Ross has sold Cooper, Hankook, Michelin and Bridgestone tires to this reporter and each has been right for the vehicle in question.

Isn’t it Time for a Change ?

For more information on RNJ Tire Sales and the man behind the operation, click here.