Dave’s Perfection: The End Of A Legendary Texas Shop

Dave’s Perfection is a general automotive service shop that has been doing business in Austin, Texas for decades. In 2012, the shop was being prepared for retirement and my good buddy Steve Wertheimer just couldn’t stomach the idea of it. Ever the hero, he stepped in and purchased the joint aiming to keep the doors open and the shop’s main wrench, Ronnie, covered in grease and oil.

Things have hummed along quite nicely ever since, but then COVID hit and Ronnie fell upon some health issues. Steve was left with very few options and Dave’s Perfection Automotive has finally reached the end of the road. The doors have been closed for a few weeks now…

Inside those closed doors, however, is a stash of NOS parts, motors, transmissions, and other hot rod sundries that need a new home. It’s an overwhelming amount of stuff and Steve has been struggling with a way to get it all sold and the building cleared out. Casny and I stopped by last week to brain storm and come up with some ideas on just how Steve should proceed.

Those plans are still developing, but Steve did say I could give you guys a head start on some of the motors. I won’t go into all of the details (pm Stevo for those), but if you are in the market for a relatively fresh Merc motor backed by a t-5, a really fresh Navarro Equipped mill, an aluminum Buick, a 302 Ford, or even just a flathead to build… This is a pretty good opportunity to get something for cheap and with a pretty damned good story. Eventually this stuff will all be sold at auction or in bulk, so don’t waste any time.

It’s a sad day in Austin for sure… No one want’s to say goodbye to Dave’s. BUT… The glass is alway half full in this city and when one door closes, another opens. I’m excited to get past all these roadblocks and see what lies past them.