When I wanted to do a story on Stewart Hall and his business, Hall Fabrication and Racing, located at 5418 Gateway Plaza Drive in the Benicia Industrial Park, I never thought the interview would start with a “test drive” of a 1967 Cobra. As we drove Hwy 680, we kept it “near” the speed limit.
Hall Fabrication and Racing is one of the unique businesses in the Benicia Industrial Park that you don’t know is there. They have been in Benicia since 2005 and their business model is to restore, repair and maintain various collectable automobiles.
As most businesses, they started small in 1974 in a shop behind Stewart’s home in El Sobrante, followed by a larger shop in Berkeley, then in Hercules and finally a 9350 square foot space in Benicia.
Stewart Hall is the Founder and Chief Engineer, but his service to the Automotive Industry started decades ago. For over 37 years, Stewart taught welding, auto body painting and front end alignment at the College of Alameda. He finally retired from teaching in 2008, leaving his mark on many students who have learned a specialized trade from a dedicated educator. During that same time period, Stewart competed on the West Coast SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) racing circuit.
Stewart lives in Benicia at Waters End and is supported by his partner Deborah Munday, who is a realtor at Hamann Real Estate Company in Downtown Benicia.
To get a better understanding of the uniqueness of this Benicia business, please go to www.hallfabracing.com.
My next story for the October issue will probably not be as exciting as “racing” down 680 in an open air 1967 Cobra.
