1737 Swift Creek Rd
Smithfield, NC 27577
919-522-4412/ 919-641-0230
tomnelson@tjauto-inc.com
TJ AUTO, INC.
Antique and Classic Cars Repair & Restoration Shop
FIVE STARS!
I am posting under my wifes account but my name is P. Bolebruch and I brought my 65 Buick Skylark here off of some of the reviews I saw online thinking this might be a good shop. After bringing it here I can say I genuinely think this is a gem of a shop. The staff was super nice and walked me though every part of my repair. I was sent texts with pictures and videos of every step of the process of my repairs. My repairs specifically were for a oil pan gasket and a gas line being roached. They replaced them and found my trans gasket was bad as well. They replaced all of it and walked me through with once again pictures and videos so I felt I was getting the service I would want for my car. Bring your classic here.
Missy Cline:
FIVE STARS!
I am simply blown away by the work completed by Tom and his team. I had severe paint damage to my classic C3 Corvette due to water sitting on the paint under a car cover. Tom knew exactly what to do to fix the issue and preserve the original paint on my 50+ year old classic car. When the job was complete I told him I believed they were miracle workers. I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. Highly highly recommend this shop. They are up front about cost, professional, honest, trustworthy, and keep up to date on progress as they work on your classic vehicle. I would absolutely trust them again with my car in the future. Thank you Tom and Juanito for the amazing care and attention to detail to fix what was quite an ugly and unusual problem.
FIVE STARS!
While looking for potential shops to repair the suspension pan in my 1968 Porsche 912 I came across TJ Auto on the web and was very impressed by the reviews and pictures posted on restorations they had completed. I had selected a handful of different shops and TJ Auto was the only one to respond to my email inquiring about the work needed and approximate charge. In fact, I received a phone call from the owner Tom Nelson within minutes of sending the email. We decided that he needed to inspect the car in person and during the process on looking at the repairs needed he stressed his philosophy on just replacing what’s needed. His crew was able to precisely remove the isolated rusted area and graft in replacement metal. I was provided with pictures during the job of cutting out replacing metal and provided with the opportunity repeatedly to visit the shop and inspect the ongoing work. The finished job is beautiful and which the exception of having to repaint the effected areas the repair is impossible to see. I am extremely happy with the work and highly recommend TJ Auto to anyone looking to have quality restoration work on their car. Thank you Tom and Nancy for taking such good care of my baby!
FIVE STARS!
Tom, Joe, and crew did a fantastic job with my ‘64 Fairlane. The car was 90% the way I wanted it, so I gave them a list of 6-8 items I wanted addressed. Everything from EFI troubleshooting to suspension work to window adjustments. They addressed every item to my 100% satisfaction. Great communication along the way. Tom is a stickler for documenting everything, so I was receiving pics and videos of their progress. And if you call to discuss anything, Tom will spend as much time with you as you’d like to make sure he understands what you want and answers all your questions. They are honest, fair, and detail oriented. Five stars!
FIVE STARS!
Tom, Nancy, Joe, and their team were amazing to work with. I spent a while researching a quality shop to take my 1981 Fiat Spider to, considering I usually get work done at the National Certified Fiat Mechanic in D.C. And T J Auto came up as #1. I saw that they had previously worked on a 78' Fiat Spider, and decided to gamble on them. They proved their #1 spot to me when I scheduled and brought my car in for tie rods, ball joints, fender liner, and a new soft top. I provided them with all of the major parts needed for the job and all were done in a timely manner and for a fair price, especially the soft top. One of the minor details that helped to sell me was the fact that they sent pictures of my car as they progressed. Tom and his team were extremely professional and I recommend them to all my fellow classic car enthusiasts. Thanks again, y'all :)
If you own a classic car, you know this story. 35 years of partial fixes and unsatisfactory results. Tom and crew at TJ’s Auto restored my car to the best condition it has ever been since I bought the TR6. Totally honest, price is excellent, service excellent. And he gives you all options to complete restoration that is back to new or better. Highest possible recommendation.
I brought my 1976 VW Westfalia to Tom because it was stalling out. The previous two mechanics said it may need a rebuild for 6k. Tom said worse case it would be 2500 to 3000 for a rebuild, which is crazy. I would have totally been ripped off! It ended up being my valves. He adjusted my valves, fixed my exhaust and sink, now its running like a champion. It is so quiet you can barely hear the engine running. I'm so glad that I found this shop and I highly recommend them . Also, his wife was nice enough to drive me home and drop my car off and take me back to the shop to pick my bus up and I live 40 minutes away!!
FIVE STARS!
Positive: Quality
Tom and his entire crew are wonderful to work with. I brought my classic in for engine work, electrical, and safety upgrades and the team superceded my expectations. I fully recommend T J Auto, Inc to others and will be returning for more items soon. Drew
I was an out of state buyer. Tom went out of his way to clearly detail the condition of the car. He also went out of his way to assist me getting my car back home. He is the most thoughtful and considerate seller I ever encountered. Great experience. Thanks Tom.
1981 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 4 speed, #s match!
Scott Hazard
FIVE STARS!
Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Value
Tom and Nancy provide a well run and honest business for classic car owners in the Raleigh area and beyond. I'm very grateful for their expertise and input over the past few years on my '77 Ford F100 to help keep it running well. They are always happy to share their knowledge about what is happening with your vehicle so you have the context to make good decisions (and know what to look for in the future). I brought my truck in recently with a minor electrical issue (with big implications) and Tom addressed it in about 10 minutes. I appreciate working with a team of careful and respectful craftspeople. The combination of expertise, honesty and integrity matter so much, so I am glad to bring my vehicle to TJ Auto!
Andy Heymann
FIVE STARS!
I brought my 56 tbird that had been sitting for 4 years outside to TJ and now she is running better than she was 5 years ago. He is professional and great at what he does. And there is always some good eye candy in his shop.
Highly recommended.
FIVE STARS!
TJ auto has been a fantastic experience from start to finish. I live in Georgia and took my 1971 Chevy Nova to Tom to do basic maintenance since it sat in a garage for roughly 2 years. Tom took the time to give me a personal tour of his entire shop from back to front, explained the other projects he had in his shop and sat me down to go over the business aspect in a quiet environment. After I left the car with him he took great personal care of the car. He sent me videos of his work, a video of him driving it and a detailed list of everything that the car needed and what he suggested be done.
Tom’s work is fantastic. The car went from running like garbage to bring the 11 second car it was originally built to be.
After the work was done I had major issues with getting the car towed back to me. Tom never complained that the car was taking up space and was extremely understanding about the entire process.
I would highly recommend TJ auto’s to anyone. The prices are great, the work is fantastic, Tom is truthful, trust worthy and overall a fantastic experience. I consider myself lucky that I came across this shop.
TJ Auto is a well run classic car shop with a very knowledgeable staff and all of the resources to fully restore your car. Lately he has been restoring some 1950’s era Porsches back to original condition. In my case, I had a 1972 Corvette ‘driver car” that was in need of quite extensive mechanical repairs and some cosmetic work. He sat down and recorded my desires for the car and then got to work. Because of his rebuild of the complicated headlight and wiper vacuum system, the fuel system, a thorough cleaning of the chassis, and a paint wet sand and polish, I was able to sell the Corvette within a week after its return at the price I wanted. I highly recommend TJ Auto to all classic car owners.
Amazing service and stellar expertise. Tom looked over an 82 Cadillac Seville I was looking to buy. He took time to do a thorough inspection and in involved me in the process so I could learn the car and know what to look for in the future. As a curious non-mechanical car lover, it was a great learning opportunity. He wrote up a report that gave me some negotiating leverage and I got his honest professional opinion. I ultimately got the caddy and will be going back for service and maintenance on it!
Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Value
Tom and his team did an amazing job on my old CJ7 Renegade with original paint. His attention to detail is awesome and he really cares about what he is doing. For my project he was able to cut out a few minor rust spots and match the original paint so the originality and patina of the jeep is maintained. More than pleased with their work.
FIVE STARS!
Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Value
Mr. Nelson did an awesome job on my 58 Thunderbird. I cant say it enough how happy I am with the service he provided me. He explained everything up front of what he recommended or was going to do to my car. He fixed my car ahead of schedule. He provided pictures and went step by step with what he did to my car. He knows his stuff when it comes to classic cars! The only mechanic I will use on my car. Couldn't be happier with his professionalism, communication, price for services provided, and the work he did on my car. The best!
Thomas Bass
FIVE STARS!
I was introduced to Tom about a year ago through an ad that I saw about his business on Raleigh craigslist. I contacted him about an MG that I have that had been sitting in a field for over ten years. The tires were flat and dry rotten, the convertible top was torn in several places, the engine would not start, the lights were not working, the brakes were not working, the gas tank contained trash, the front bumper was barely connected to the car, along with other repairs that needed to be done as well. After sending pictures of the car over to Tom he instructed me to get the car to him so that he could check it out. I had the car towed to his shop. Within a short period of time Tom contacted me with a list of repairs that needed to be made and estimates for those repairs. During the course of those repairs Tom would send me updates as well as pictures of the repairs. Watching my car be restored and brought back to life again was truly magical. Tom did an absolutely outstanding job with restoring the car and driving it is a real joy. Tom is truly a professional at what he does. He makes you feel like you are part of the process and does not rush the work but takes his time to make sure that it’s done right. The customer service at TJ Auto is truly outstanding and Tom and his wife Nancy are such a great team. I definitely recommend TJ Auto to anyone who is restoring their car or to anyone who is in need of auto repairs.
If you own a classic or vintage car, this is the place to go. Tom is extremely knowledge and a pleasure to work with. He takes the time to consult and discuss options before proceeding. Can’t say enough good things and as long as I own a classic car, this is where I will be taking it.
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FIVE STARS!
I started talking with Tom over email and then dropped off my 67 Camaro to his shop. He understands these cars and makes certain your classic is in good hands by being extra cautious. Tom understands these cars are precious to their owners and goes over the car with you before you leave. A great professional that will diagnose the issue and call before ordering parts and will leave your defective parts to show. This is an honest man that cares. You can't ask for anything more except that i want to have this type of person as a friend. Tom and his wife are truly the best. Thank you!!
Positive: Professionalism, Quality
After my classic 1979 camaro went through a lengthy lawsuit with another repair shop who damaged the engine and caused major leakage in the vehicle, Tom Nelson and his crew at TJ Auto repaired all the problems and made it right! The car now runs great, is leak-free. and I'm beyond ecstatic! Tom and his wife were extremely professional. I would recommend TJ Auto for anyone who needs rebuilds or repairs. They do a thorough job and actually know what they are doing! Thanks again TJ Auto!
Matthew Lasher
FIVE STARS!
I started talking with Tom over email and then dropped off my 67 Camaro to his shop. He understands these cars and makes certain your classic is in good hands by being extra cautious. Tom understands these cars are precious to their owners and goes over the car with you before you leave. A great professional that will diagnose the issue and call before ordering parts and will leave your defective parts to show. This is an honest man that cares. You can't ask for anything more except that i want to have this type of person as a friend. Tom and his wife are truly the best. Thank you!!
FIVE STARS!
I have a 1972 Chevrolet C-10 pickup that was having a problem with the fuel pickup in the tank. It is difficult to find people that will work on older vehicles, and the last one I used kept my truck for over 3 weeks and wasn't working on it but about 2 days. I did a Google search and found Tom Nelson's shop and gave him a call. He had me bring the truck down on a Thursday morning and had it ready for me by Friday at noon. I was well pleased with the speed, quality and price of the repair and will certainly take my truck to him the next time it needs repair.
Mike Ruck
FIVE STARS!
Tom is a rare find. He’s a craftsman in the old school way. He is patient, kind, a great listener and does superior work. There are several shops in Raleigh that I had visited and/or called to get some work done on my 1964 Imperial. One shop I stopped at had a sign discouraging walk ins. It stated that walk-ins are welcome as long as they bring a good bottle of whiskey or are wanting to clean the shops toilets. This was not someone I would ever consider doing business with let alone touch my car. One of the other shops simply told me to check back in 18 months. Ugh. The Imperial has been in my family since 1965 and is a family treasure. I am somewhat mechanically inclined but there are certain jobs I want to be done by a professional. I heard about TJ through several friends who have classics and have worked with Tom at TJ. All three people had great things to report in their dealings with Tom. I stopped in unannounced during lunch. Tom greeted me and gave me thirty minutes of time about what I was looking for and my wishes for the car. He’s a great listener and my first impression was very positive. I made an appointment to bring the car by. He documented everything with photos and kept me in the loop as he got into the car and laid out options for repair based on what he found. Every car is different and once you open the can there is no telling what you will find in a 55-year-old vehicle. Again, Tom gets it. He listens, lays out options then executes the work. As it should be. I now consider Tom a friend and can recommend you speak with him about your classic. His wife and business partner is as nice as Tom. Great people!
Paul Hageman
FIVE STARS!
I bought a 356 from Tom and Nancy and couldn't be happier with the car or the experience. They were honest, reasonable and easy to deal with throughout the process. Upstanding business that knows what they're doing.
Greg Lowman
FIVE STARS!
It was a true pleasure working with Tom and Nancy on the purchase of a 1961 356 coupe that they completely restored. They were extremely informative throughout the process answering any questions along the way and sharing many photos of the restoration process. Tom's focus on all the details of the restoration can be seen through the finished product and the car exceeded my expectations. They were and continue to be very quick to answer any questions and educate me on these great classic cars. If you are looking to work with honest people that have a passion for high quality restoration of vintage Porsche, I recommend working with them.
Dustin:
FIVE STARS!
I took my 67 Karmann Ghia in to repair a clutch cable tube that had broken free of its welds. Upon arriving at the shop, the owners greeted me and were very welcoming, and even gave me a tour of the shop and all the gorgeous 356's they were restoring. I'm a through and through air-cooled-aholic, so seeing those Porsches was very cool. As for my car, they had originally estimated several days for the repair. The next day to my surprise, I received a call that my car was ready to go. I think since I had mentioned in passing that it was my daily car, that they bumped it to the front of the line, which was incredibly considerate. The work was above and beyond what I was expecting, the cost for the work was very fair, and my car is running and driving great. I'll definitely be taking my car back in the future for metalwork and bodywork repairs.
Jonathan:
FIVE STARS!
Tom and Nancy are great people and do terrific work. If you are ever in his shop, ask him for a tour of what he is working on-he has an amazing talent and is very thorough. Even though Tom specializes in Porsches, he serviced my '72 Triumph Spitfire and did a great job in fixing up all the things that I could not. On occasion I would stop by to see Tom and he would give me guidance and advice on how to fix little things on the vehicle, at no charge, which was sincerely appreciated. When I can afford it, I will be buying on of his beautiful Porsches from him one day!
FIVE STARS!
Tom has taken expert care of my Wife’s ’71 Chevelle. His breadth and depth of automotive experience is immediately evident and we appreciate his considered approach to problem solving and exploring the best options to realize the optimum performance of her classic car. Tom always takes the time to answer questions and educate us about the best way to enjoy and maintain this beautiful vehicle. He and his Wife are truly wonderful people and it is always a pleasure for our Family to visit them at their shop!
Tony:
FIVE STARS!
Most detailed restorations I have ever seen. Period correct everything. Knows air cooled Porsches better than anyone.
TJ Auto is a well-known restorer in our community and runs an excellent operation. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting it a few times, when visiting my friends next door. I saw this car in process and its such a neat car. Good luck with the auction
Jason:
FIVE STARS!
Tom did some metal repair work for me. He's honest, reliable, stays in touch over the course of the job, and the quality of the work is great.
Aaron
FIVE STARS!
Tom Nelson, the owner and proprietor provided great customer service and was very forthright with me about the vehicle I purchased from him. The vehicle at the time of test drive had a huge crack in the windshield and would not have passed inspection on my Military Post to receive approved DOD credential post entrance sticker... Tom had the windshield replaced. If you are straight with Tom he will work with you. This is well run small business of integrity. The car I purchased ran great, I received a detailed Car Fax, and knew of the maintenance required to keep it running which was expected and minimal for a high mileage car. This is the best used car lot in the Capital Boulevard area. I have nothing but love for Tom and TJ Auto.
FIVE STARS!
We recently purchased a 2004 Chevy Silverado from Tom. Not only was the truck in great condition, but the price and mileage were unbeatable. If we wanted a truck under 80,000 miles, we would have had to gone to another state!
Tom was very friendly, extremely personable and honest, and made us feel like we've been friends for years. He was up-front about everything, and was very flexible with our ever changing schedule. He guaranteed us, along with a warranty, if we needed any repairs done that he would personally see to it that he fixes them.
We will definitely continue support his company because he is not only concerned about his business thriving, but he truly pulls out all stops for his customers. You dont get a A+ from the BBB for nothing (yes, we researched thoroughly).
We are beyond pleased with our new truck, and are looking forward to purchasing another vehicle from him!
Tom is a great guy. Very knowledgeable, honest. Loved working with him
Buyer: vasqular
1 Porsche 911 T
Always great service
Buyer: carreramotorsport
As described, Tom is easy to deal with------A+
1969 Buick Gran Sport 400 Convertible GS400
Buyer: Fathairydave
Goldhonda
1974 HONDA XL 70 XL70 TRAIL 70
Gentle and helpful seller. A fun to deal with. Many thanks from Germany
ber-ger
1971 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia