Robert and Debra Elder have seen everything from pickup trucks to a Mach 5 Speed Racer in their auto repair shop, Elder’s Absolutely Cool Automotive. Located at 27431 Hanna Road in Oak Ridge North, the Elders and 10 employees work at the family-owned and operated business that provides a variety of auto care services.
“We do complete auto care, which includes providing specialty hoses and tires, transmissions and [liquid sequential injection] conversions as well,” Robert said. “If a ’69 Camaro, which is an antique, comes in here, we’re able to convert the engine and make them brand new. We have state-of-the-art equipment and the newest technology.”
Debra first got involved in the auto repair industry with her husband in 2010 at a previous shop they had in Hanna Road Business Park, while Robert has worked on cars almost all of his life.
“He first started in his garage and helped out neighbors and friends, and then later we rented out a place on Blueberry Hill Drive near Hanna Road,” she said. “We later outgrew that place and rented a second place. And then in 2008, we were in Hanna Road Business Park. Before that I was actually in dentistry. I enjoy it though. [Robert] told me they drill at the dentist, and they drill in the shop too.”
