Joe Mondello, known in the performance aftermarket world as "Dr. Oldsmobile," passed away on April 8 at the age of 74 following complications from surgery.

Born in Los Angeles in 1936, Mondello's love affair with the automobile began at the age of 13 and led to a 54-year career as an engine builder, a head porter and a teacher.

Mondello's mechanical talents and passion for drag racing combined with his experience served him well when Oldsmobile was looking for engine builders to port and polish cylinder heads to increase performance for its newly created Oldsmobile Performance Parts Division. Out of all the shops Oldsmobile tapped to increase power through modified heads, Mondello's heads made the most power. It was his notable work on Oldsmobile V8s that earned him the "Dr. Oldsmobile" nickname.

He established the Mondello Technical School in 1996 to help teach anyone willing to learn the art of performance engine building. Most recently, Mondello was focused on the Quarter Mile Foundation and the "PROJECT 1320" drag-racing documentary.

Read more about Mondello on the Hemmings Blog website.

Those wishing to donate in Joe’s memory in lieu of flowers can do so to two of Joe’s favorite charities:

St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
P.O. Box 1000 , Dept 142
Memphis, TN 38148
(Make check payable to “For direct care of children”)

-Or-

Quarter Mile Foundation
6210 Beverly Ave.
Parma Heights, OH 44129     

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This story was originally published on April 27, 2011. For more industry news, visit SEMANews.com and subscribe to SEMA News at the bottom of the webpage to get the latest updates straight to your inbox, twice a week.

Each week, SEMA eNews highlights various display vehicles from the 2010 SEMA Show. Highlighted this week are several rides from Porsche.

The vehicle photo gallery on www.enjoythedrive.com includes more than 2,000 display vehicle images that are available to download. The collection of photos is searchable by vehicle make, exhibiting company's name, vehicle year and more.   

Each week, SEMA eNews highlights various display vehicles from the 2010 SEMA Show. Highlighted this week are several rides from Porsche.

The vehicle photo gallery on www.enjoythedrive.com includes more than 2,000 display vehicle images that are available to download. The collection of photos is searchable by vehicle make, exhibiting company's name, vehicle year and more.   

 

Platinum Equity announced that it has acquired a majority interest in Keystone Automotive Holdings Inc., the parent company of Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. ("Keystone"). Platinum reports that it will work with the company's management team on an operational plan to improve Keystone's ability to compete in the automotive specialty-equipment market.

Platinum was previously Keystone's largest bond holder and worked closely with Keystone and the company's other debt holders to develop and execute a recapitalization plan that resulted in Platinum becoming the majority owner of the business.

Platinum achieved its majority ownership position through an exchange offer that closed on March 29, 2011, in which Platinum and other bond holders converted debt to equity and acquired additional common stock through a rights offering.

"Keystone has a strong management team, dedicated employees and an unparalleled distribution network," said Jacob Kotzubei, partner, Platinum Equity, who led the team pursuing the Keystone acquisition. "With a restructured balance sheet, ample liquidity and the added support of Platinum's operations team and M&A resources, Keystone is now well positioned for growth and long-term success."

Ed Orzetti, Keystone CEO since 2006, will continue to lead the company under Platinum Equity's ownership.

"Partnering with Platinum Equity and successfully recapitalizing our business is great news for Keystone's customers, suppliers and employees," said Orzetti. "We will continue to offer the most comprehensive inventory selection in our industry, the highest levels of customer service and the innovative marketing support our partners expect and deserve."

Platinum has already deployed a team to work with Keystone on a plan to improve overall business performance. Kotzubei said that Platinum's M&A resources will actively support Keystone going forward as well.

"We will work closely with Keystone to identify and pursue opportunities to grow the business organically and through additional acquisitions," said Kotzubei.

 

Platinum Equity announced that it has acquired a majority interest in Keystone Automotive Holdings Inc., the parent company of Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. ("Keystone"). Platinum reports that it will work with the company's management team on an operational plan to improve Keystone's ability to compete in the automotive specialty-equipment market.

Platinum was previously Keystone's largest bond holder and worked closely with Keystone and the company's other debt holders to develop and execute a recapitalization plan that resulted in Platinum becoming the majority owner of the business.

Platinum achieved its majority ownership position through an exchange offer that closed on March 29, 2011, in which Platinum and other bond holders converted debt to equity and acquired additional common stock through a rights offering.

"Keystone has a strong management team, dedicated employees and an unparalleled distribution network," said Jacob Kotzubei, partner, Platinum Equity, who led the team pursuing the Keystone acquisition. "With a restructured balance sheet, ample liquidity and the added support of Platinum's operations team and M&A resources, Keystone is now well positioned for growth and long-term success."

Ed Orzetti, Keystone CEO since 2006, will continue to lead the company under Platinum Equity's ownership.

"Partnering with Platinum Equity and successfully recapitalizing our business is great news for Keystone's customers, suppliers and employees," said Orzetti. "We will continue to offer the most comprehensive inventory selection in our industry, the highest levels of customer service and the innovative marketing support our partners expect and deserve."

Platinum has already deployed a team to work with Keystone on a plan to improve overall business performance. Kotzubei said that Platinum's M&A resources will actively support Keystone going forward as well.

"We will work closely with Keystone to identify and pursue opportunities to grow the business organically and through additional acquisitions," said Kotzubei.

 

Platinum Equity announced that it has acquired a majority interest in Keystone Automotive Holdings Inc., the parent company of Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. ("Keystone"). Platinum reports that it will work with the company's management team on an operational plan to improve Keystone's ability to compete in the automotive specialty-equipment market.

Platinum was previously Keystone's largest bond holder and worked closely with Keystone and the company's other debt holders to develop and execute a recapitalization plan that resulted in Platinum becoming the majority owner of the business.

Platinum achieved its majority ownership position through an exchange offer that closed on March 29, 2011, in which Platinum and other bond holders converted debt to equity and acquired additional common stock through a rights offering.

"Keystone has a strong management team, dedicated employees and an unparalleled distribution network," said Jacob Kotzubei, partner, Platinum Equity, who led the team pursuing the Keystone acquisition. "With a restructured balance sheet, ample liquidity and the added support of Platinum's operations team and M&A resources, Keystone is now well positioned for growth and long-term success."

Ed Orzetti, Keystone CEO since 2006, will continue to lead the company under Platinum Equity's ownership.

"Partnering with Platinum Equity and successfully recapitalizing our business is great news for Keystone's customers, suppliers and employees," said Orzetti. "We will continue to offer the most comprehensive inventory selection in our industry, the highest levels of customer service and the innovative marketing support our partners expect and deserve."

Platinum has already deployed a team to work with Keystone on a plan to improve overall business performance. Kotzubei said that Platinum's M&A resources will actively support Keystone going forward as well.

"We will work closely with Keystone to identify and pursue opportunities to grow the business organically and through additional acquisitions," said Kotzubei.

 

Platinum Equity announced that it has acquired a majority interest in Keystone Automotive Holdings Inc., the parent company of Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. ("Keystone"). Platinum reports that it will work with the company's management team on an operational plan to improve Keystone's ability to compete in the automotive specialty-equipment market.

Platinum was previously Keystone's largest bond holder and worked closely with Keystone and the company's other debt holders to develop and execute a recapitalization plan that resulted in Platinum becoming the majority owner of the business.

Platinum achieved its majority ownership position through an exchange offer that closed on March 29, 2011, in which Platinum and other bond holders converted debt to equity and acquired additional common stock through a rights offering.

"Keystone has a strong management team, dedicated employees and an unparalleled distribution network," said Jacob Kotzubei, partner, Platinum Equity, who led the team pursuing the Keystone acquisition. "With a restructured balance sheet, ample liquidity and the added support of Platinum's operations team and M&A resources, Keystone is now well positioned for growth and long-term success."

Ed Orzetti, Keystone CEO since 2006, will continue to lead the company under Platinum Equity's ownership.

"Partnering with Platinum Equity and successfully recapitalizing our business is great news for Keystone's customers, suppliers and employees," said Orzetti. "We will continue to offer the most comprehensive inventory selection in our industry, the highest levels of customer service and the innovative marketing support our partners expect and deserve."

Platinum has already deployed a team to work with Keystone on a plan to improve overall business performance. Kotzubei said that Platinum's M&A resources will actively support Keystone going forward as well.

"We will work closely with Keystone to identify and pursue opportunities to grow the business organically and through additional acquisitions," said Kotzubei.

 

Platinum Equity announced that it has acquired a majority interest in Keystone Automotive Holdings Inc., the parent company of Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. ("Keystone"). Platinum reports that it will work with the company's management team on an operational plan to improve Keystone's ability to compete in the automotive specialty-equipment market.

Platinum was previously Keystone's largest bond holder and worked closely with Keystone and the company's other debt holders to develop and execute a recapitalization plan that resulted in Platinum becoming the majority owner of the business.

Platinum achieved its majority ownership position through an exchange offer that closed on March 29, 2011, in which Platinum and other bond holders converted debt to equity and acquired additional common stock through a rights offering.

"Keystone has a strong management team, dedicated employees and an unparalleled distribution network," said Jacob Kotzubei, partner, Platinum Equity, who led the team pursuing the Keystone acquisition. "With a restructured balance sheet, ample liquidity and the added support of Platinum's operations team and M&A resources, Keystone is now well positioned for growth and long-term success."

Ed Orzetti, Keystone CEO since 2006, will continue to lead the company under Platinum Equity's ownership.

"Partnering with Platinum Equity and successfully recapitalizing our business is great news for Keystone's customers, suppliers and employees," said Orzetti. "We will continue to offer the most comprehensive inventory selection in our industry, the highest levels of customer service and the innovative marketing support our partners expect and deserve."

Platinum has already deployed a team to work with Keystone on a plan to improve overall business performance. Kotzubei said that Platinum's M&A resources will actively support Keystone going forward as well.

"We will work closely with Keystone to identify and pursue opportunities to grow the business organically and through additional acquisitions," said Kotzubei.

 

Platinum Equity announced that it has acquired a majority interest in Keystone Automotive Holdings Inc., the parent company of Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. ("Keystone"). Platinum reports that it will work with the company's management team on an operational plan to improve Keystone's ability to compete in the automotive specialty-equipment market.

Platinum was previously Keystone's largest bond holder and worked closely with Keystone and the company's other debt holders to develop and execute a recapitalization plan that resulted in Platinum becoming the majority owner of the business.

Platinum achieved its majority ownership position through an exchange offer that closed on March 29, 2011, in which Platinum and other bond holders converted debt to equity and acquired additional common stock through a rights offering.

"Keystone has a strong management team, dedicated employees and an unparalleled distribution network," said Jacob Kotzubei, partner, Platinum Equity, who led the team pursuing the Keystone acquisition. "With a restructured balance sheet, ample liquidity and the added support of Platinum's operations team and M&A resources, Keystone is now well positioned for growth and long-term success."

Ed Orzetti, Keystone CEO since 2006, will continue to lead the company under Platinum Equity's ownership.

"Partnering with Platinum Equity and successfully recapitalizing our business is great news for Keystone's customers, suppliers and employees," said Orzetti. "We will continue to offer the most comprehensive inventory selection in our industry, the highest levels of customer service and the innovative marketing support our partners expect and deserve."

Platinum has already deployed a team to work with Keystone on a plan to improve overall business performance. Kotzubei said that Platinum's M&A resources will actively support Keystone going forward as well.

"We will work closely with Keystone to identify and pursue opportunities to grow the business organically and through additional acquisitions," said Kotzubei.

 

Platinum Equity announced that it has acquired a majority interest in Keystone Automotive Holdings Inc., the parent company of Keystone Automotive Operations Inc. ("Keystone"). Platinum reports that it will work with the company's management team on an operational plan to improve Keystone's ability to compete in the automotive specialty-equipment market.

Platinum was previously Keystone's largest bond holder and worked closely with Keystone and the company's other debt holders to develop and execute a recapitalization plan that resulted in Platinum becoming the majority owner of the business.

Platinum achieved its majority ownership position through an exchange offer that closed on March 29, 2011, in which Platinum and other bond holders converted debt to equity and acquired additional common stock through a rights offering.

"Keystone has a strong management team, dedicated employees and an unparalleled distribution network," said Jacob Kotzubei, partner, Platinum Equity, who led the team pursuing the Keystone acquisition. "With a restructured balance sheet, ample liquidity and the added support of Platinum's operations team and M&A resources, Keystone is now well positioned for growth and long-term success."

Ed Orzetti, Keystone CEO since 2006, will continue to lead the company under Platinum Equity's ownership.

"Partnering with Platinum Equity and successfully recapitalizing our business is great news for Keystone's customers, suppliers and employees," said Orzetti. "We will continue to offer the most comprehensive inventory selection in our industry, the highest levels of customer service and the innovative marketing support our partners expect and deserve."

Platinum has already deployed a team to work with Keystone on a plan to improve overall business performance. Kotzubei said that Platinum's M&A resources will actively support Keystone going forward as well.

"We will work closely with Keystone to identify and pursue opportunities to grow the business organically and through additional acquisitions," said Kotzubei.