About Us
It all started with a handshake and Ralph Keckler became the proud owner of a filling station with three pumps in the heart of Weeping Water's charming downtown. It was 1929 and business was done differently back then. Shortly after purchasing the gas station, Ralph expanded his offerings to car and machine maintenance. This included brake, tire, and exhaust services, as well as oil changes.
Over the next several decades, Ralph continued to grow his clientele and make improvements to the shop. People even drove from out of state to have Ralph and his grandson, Richard (Bugs), work on their cars and trucks. It wasn't just a matter of being great mechanics, it was their fantastic customer service that helped get the word out.
In the 1950s, Bugs took over the operation and continued the same service his grandfather taught him to provide. As Richard's sons became old enough to work with him, their desire to maintain the family business grew. Mike Keckler graduated high school, went to tech school, and became the alignment specialist. Tracy Keckler became a full-time employee as a custom exhaust specialist. When Bugs was ready to retire, he knew his shop, which had been in the family for nearly 90 years, was in good hands.
In 2022, Jace Keckler, Tracy's son, came on as lead diagnostic tech after Automotive Tech School Certifications and learning several other trades and has worked alongside his father learning the custom exhaust trade. Both Mike and Tracy are now retired from the business. Jace and his team of technicians continue to deliver impeccable service to everyone who walks through the door, whether they're a regular customer or a newcomer who seeks us out based on our reputation.