Who We Are

Owner and ASE Master technician Larry Watson and Lead ASE Master technician Brian Lunde have over fifty years of combined experience in servicing and repairing Volvos. Their combined scope of knowledge spans from the early 1960s to present. The pair has pioneered fixes for problems unique to the mark, and have the instinct to know where to look when symptoms arise.

If you phone 360.734.6117, TEXT or Email, we’ll be happy to answer your Volvo questions and offer real solutions to Volvo problems. Feel free to stop by and speak with our friendly and knowledgeable crew.

Larry Watson aka “Rainbow Larry”

The owner and master facilitator of Rainbow Auto Service, Larry is an automotive tinkerer since 1974. He opened Rainbow in 1986. Larry certified as an ASE Master Technician, and he frequently solves minor problems over the phone.

Larry aims to balance your automotive needs with your budget: Not every car needs thousands of dollars in work right away. Prioritization of a car’s needs in terms of safety and reliability take precedence. Through Larry’s example, shop technicians aim to know your car inside and out. The aim is to help you to stay ahead of maintenance and plan for the future.

Larry acquired his first Volvo, a 1969 145S in 1975 as was impressed by that car’s simple, robust construction and longevity. He and his wife Virginia have driven the same Volvo, a 400,000+ mile 1982 244GL for just over thirty years.

Brian Lunde

As a long-term ASE Certified Master Technician in all nine categories and a 1999 Graduate of Bellingham Technical College’s Automotive Technology Program, Brian has been an integral member of the shop staff since 1999.

Brian solves the unsolvable. His ability to synthesize knowledge of mechanical function with significant electronic governance, combined with his exceptional observational skills, can make a significant difference in your Volvo’s longevity.. and your budget.

As a young boy, Brian always wanted to be a mad scientist, a component that he has incorporated into his role as the shop’s lead diagnostician. His quiet modesty and soft-spoken style have created many loyal customers over the years. It’s time for both you and your Volvo to get to know Brian.

Dillon Churchill

A 2017 graduate of Bellingham Technical College’s Automotive Technology Program, Dillon was a Rainbow intern. Dillon joined our staff as a full-time technician in mid-2017. Dillon has proven to be a talented technician with a strong aptitude for suspension, brake, and transmission diagnoses and repair. He is an able and enthusiastic addition to our crew and takes pride in the quality and correctness of each repair he tackles. A BMW enthusiast by nature, Dillon now owns a 1998 Volvo S70 T5 with nearly 300,000 miles that he has made to run beautifully. Like the rest of the staff, he’s here to learn and share his automotive enthusiasm.

Rick David Brown

An artist at heart with widely varied technical skills and experience centered in electronics repair, RDB is our go-to for facilities repair, maintenance, and some automotive repair work. He is our jack of all trades! His dry wit and humor coupled with his desire to reduce waste keeps him in constant repair work here at Rainbow Auto and at Bellingham’s Repair Cafe.

Chris Childs

A multifaceted member of the Rainbow Automotive team, Chris joined us after working at King Volvo for five years where he specialized in parts and service. Along with a vast knowledge of Volvo parts, he has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing from Western Washington University. A well-spoken young man, he will take care of your Volvo needs!