06/17/2026
We are saddened to announce that our founder and patriarch, Innocenzo "Lorenzo" Luigi Martino, peacefully passed away on Sunday, June 14, 2026.
We are grateful to Lorenzo for building an incredible business and following in downtown Chicago. He was beloved by many including family, friends, and business associates and will be remembered for his hard work and fierce loyalty to his family, friends, and Italian heritage. Lorenzo will be missed.❤️
In 1960 an Italian immigrant named Innocenzo "Lorenzo" Martino started his collision repair journey at Loeber Motors, in downtown Chicago, at the northeast corner of Clark and Maple streets.
Originally a Pontiac dealership (picture circa 1938), by the time Lorenzo arrived the dealership sold the Mercedes-Benz and Rolls Royce brands.
In the early 60s, the only people driving these brands were celebrities and captains of industry - Hugh Hefner, Muhammad Ali, Yul Brynner and fellow actors Chuck Connors and Forrest Tucker (while Yul Brynner was in Chicago for a 2-month run of "The King And I") were just a few of the guests.
Lorenzo was the dealership body shop manager for 31 years when he was offered the opportunity to take over the business (at 54 years old).
Gold Coast Auto Body opened for business in January, 1992, and the rest, as they say, is history.
We are forever grateful to the Loeber Family for giving our father the opportunity of a lifetime - thank you Martin, George and Paul.
https://goldcoastautobody.com/
