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From Our Family
Opening Doors to Automotive Scholarships
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Heinz Gietz Automotive Scholarship Initiative
Fueling Automotive Passions for the Less Fortunate
Education is expensive. Pursuing your Passion should not be.
In honor of his legacy, the Gietz family has initiated the Heinz Gietz Automotive Scholarship in partnership with the San Diego Automotive Museum Technical Program. Proceeds from the book chronicling Gietz's life will be directed towards supporting the next generation of automotive mechanics, ensuring their paths are paved with opportunities for success.
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Heinz Gietz was deeply enamored with anything that rolled on wheels.
His fascination began with a humble bicycle during his childhood, later evolving into a fervor for motorcycles. Growing up in close proximity to his father's gas station garage, he absorbed knowledge about cars, trucks, and buses. His post-high school years were dedicated to enrolling in automotive courses, eventually landing an internship with Auto Union, where he contributed to a high-speed project, igniting his passion for Motorsport and Racecars.
For the Love of Mercedes-Benz
In the aftermath of World War II, Gietz utilized his expertise by repairing Military Police cars and other vehicles for the US ARMY Motorcades division in Frankfurt, Germany. Hearing of a German businessman importing cars to the USA, he sought opportunities and secured a position with Max Hoffman, working on early Mercedes-Benz 300SL models. The full account of his remarkable journey is narrated by his wife, Ilse Gietz, available for acquisition.
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Making A Difference
Amidst immigrating to San Diego, California, and establishing his own business, Gietz discovered another calling – mentoring and fostering a love for automotive mechanics. His commitment to nurturing talent led to the successful careers of many aspiring mechanics, a source of great joy for him.