You are here: Home >> Leander-Cedar Park >> Business Profiles >> Buddy’s Underthehood • Cedar Park

Buddy’s Underthehood • Cedar Park

Attention: open in a new window.

Written by Katherine Kennedy Thursday, 07 June 2007

Mechanic educates customers about auto work

Buddy Weatherford compares his business, Buddy’s Underthehood, to ZZ Top — both are small and great, he said.

The automotive repair shop opened in 1989 and moved to Cedar Park in 2000. After hosting a radio talk show on KVET for two years, Weatherford decided to open his own garage in Austin with two bingo chairs and a toolbox.

Buddy Weatherford, owner of Buddy’s Underthehood.

“My first shop was small. I would advertise on my radio show for customers to come visit me at the little shop behind the dumpsters,” Weatherford said.

Buddy decided to move his business to Cedar Park because of the city’s resemblance to the Austin of his childhood, he said.

“The city provides an excellent opportunity for growth for new businesses.”

With only two other employees, Weatherford said his company provides excellent service to customers by educating them about the automotive industry.

“People are fascinated with how pyramids last forever, much like my customers appreciate the fact that my work will last forever. I consider my customers to be the Pharaohs; they want the best quality work,” Weatherford said. “I don’t encourage customers to come here. I ask them to stop by, educate them on their cars and let them make the decision for themselves. I even encourage them to learn to do the work themselves so they can have a true appreciation for mechanics.”

Weatherford says he takes pride in his work and believes his employees should do the same. He considers himself to be a teacher and a mentor.

“My business is like a trade school. I spoil my employees and teach them about mechanics,” Weatherford said. “Customer service is important. The full-service shops are going to come back because people realize the need for personalization.”

Apart from work, Weatherford enjoys restoring old Coca-Cola memorabilia and growing roses.

He has more than 20 vending machines, oversized Coca-Cola buttons, checks written to Coca-Cola that he will put in a collage, clocks and a 1923 bottle from the City of Weatherford.

His rose collection rivals the Coke collection: Twenty-one types of roses grow in his garden.

“In the next five to 10 years, after I retire, I plan on owning my own Coca-Cola restoration business,” Weatherford said. “After my daughter wins the Miss Texas pageant, we will travel with her and play catch-up on the family life. I would love to travel, swim, gamble and get away from work when I retire.”