In the early 1900s, the price of a new car approached and sometimes exceeded $1,000, making it a luxury item designed for wealthier customers. Unreliable and built by hand, these cars were constantly in need of repair; however, shops were not yet available. Even as cars became more affordable — and better built — maintenance and repair still fell within the responsibility of the car owner.
As repair shops began to emerge around 1914, many early gas stations began to offer automobile repair services. Additionally, machinists, blacksmiths and bicycle mechanics ventured into auto repair. To stay competitive — and feed their families — wheelwrights working on wagons as blacksmiths graduated to bicycle and then automobile repair. Many forms of transportation repair became inextricably linked as men such as the Wright brothers of aviation fame began their careers with a successful bicycle repair shop to fund their aviation adventures. Although the Wright brothers never strayed into auto repair, many early companies experienced a crossover in transportation repair of bicycles, automobiles, aircraft and other forms of transportation.
Today, although many parts are similar, bicycle, automobile and aircraft shops have become separate entities. The plethora of automobile makes and models, including classic cars, standardized models, European imports and domestic builds, require highly trained shops offering increasingly technical specialized repairs. Auto mechanics perform more than just standard maintenance such as oil changes. Electrical updates, knowledge of all-season, terrain-specific and performance-oriented tires, and transmission rebuilds are just a few of the skills required of high-quality, dependable shops…