Peekskill mechanic keeps classic cars and their owners’ dreams on the road
“Doesn’t get much better than driving around 750 horsepower anytime you want it,” he said. “Just a dream living it.”
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As cars become more computerized and expensive to repair, independent mechanics are becoming harder to find across Westchester.
Brian Dee, owner of Brian’s Automotive in Peekskill, has watched that change unfold over decades.
“When I started working at the dealership, you started seeing the warranties getting longer and the cars getting more complicated,” Dee said. “You need a special tool for this and a special tool for that.”
Dee said the growing cost and complexity of automotive repair has made it increasingly difficult for small independent shops to survive.
“I just saw it turning bad,” he said. “I’m like, this is going to be tough on small guys. And it has been. A lot of places have closed up.”
For owners of older and classic vehicles, mechanics like Dee can be essential.
News 12’s Mark Stevenson turned to Brian’s Automotive for help restoring his 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, a project that has required plenty of time, money and professional intervention.
Dee said many owners begin restoration projects with a clear vision but eventually reach a point where they need help completing the work.
“They can’t really finish the project that they started, so they have to come to me or somebody like me,” he said. “We’ve got to help them out. We’ve got to make their dream or make their vision come through in some way.”
For Dee, the work is about more than repairing old vehicles. It is also about preserving the experience of driving them.
“Doesn’t get much better than driving around 750 horsepower anytime you want it,” he said. “Just a dream living it.”
