Building a reputation as a master mechanic, Jim was offered the first Austin Healy authorized service center in the United States, which he started on Manhattan's west side in 1952. In New York he was approached by Elia Kazan, director of the 1954 Oscar-winning film On the Waterfront. Jim was asked if he could cut a taxicab in half giving the appearance of men talking and riding in a cab. Jim obliged. The famous taxicab scene, with Rod Steiger and Marlon Brando saying "I coulda been a contender!" was filmed in Jim's shop complete with Jim and others gently rocking the cab making it appear to be in motion. (See Jim's BIO in ENCM Stack's profile)