ChopCult: Please welcome LePera to the ChopCult Family!

Back in the early 1970’s Bob LePera had a dream... Bob’s career started when he was 12 years old in his Mom and Dad’s family-owned leather goods shop. As a young teen, he was already making exotic watch bands, belts, and wallets. However, his artistry was far beyond his years.

In high school, at the ripe old age of 16, Bob’s passion turned to cars. Denied by his parents to go “over the border” for the interior in his personal hot rod (a supercharged Studebaker Lark), he decided to take on the job himself. With the skills learned at his parent’s shop and his natural talents, he single-handedly transformed the interior of his beloved Lark into what can best be described as the envy of all of his Greaser buddies and their “Babes” alike! After showing off his car around school and local hangouts, the word spread fast. Customers lined his parent’s driveway within a couple of weeks to get a “Bob LePera” custom interior.

From there, his talent landed him a full-time job working alongside Tony Nancy (world-famous drag racer/upholsterer from the 1960s-70s) specializing in dragsters, shows, and exotic cars. After rubbing elbows and upholstering cars for some of the biggest names in Drag Racing and Hollywood, Bob was itching to get out on his own. The ’70s approached, and the Chopper scene took off. Little by little, Bob began doing an unbelievable amount of custom motorcycle seats. The motorcycle and his talents were a match made in heaven for Bob. For the first time, his work was displayed for everyone to see. His love for anything with wheels was only fuel for the fire. In 1972, Bob decided that he would start a company that would dedicate itself to the superior design, quality, and craftsmanship of custom motorcycle seats. That year, 1972, Bob’s dream became a reality, and LePera Enterprises was born.

It’s been 50 years since Bob started the company. All of his blood, sweat, and tears were not in vain. Today, LePera is one of the most respected names in the industry. Sadly, Bob Sr. passed away in 2008, but his memory and incredible work ethic live on in all of us. Everything Bob believed in and worked so hard for is what drives us every day to be the best we can be and make custom seats we are proud to put our name on. His incredible spirit and passion will always be seen through every seat that passes through our doors.

For the past 27 years, LePera has been a family affair. Bob Jr. is the head seat designer, runs production and advertising. Bob’s daughter, Christine, directs the sales force and manages the Dealer and Distributor network. Through Bob Jr., Christine, and the entire LePera team, Bob’s legacy and dreams live on.