1st Place Engineering: Best Auto Repair place I’ve found

I really have to hand it to Jeff Lloyd, the owner of 1st Place Engineering (4011 21st Avenue East #111, Tampa FL 33605, 813-333-1100). Part custom fabrication shop, part auto repair facility, this place is great.

When I came to them last week, I had two broken Miatas, not a lot of money and even less hope. One car was fixed up right away so my wife could get back to work. The second one required a whole engine transplant, but was still done in only 4 days.

When other shops quoted me thousands of dollars and several weeks, Jeff worked day and night to get my work done in less time than I could ever have imagined. The car runs great and the repair cost was very reasonable. I can’t thank Jeff enough.

What impresses me most about Jeff is how honest and helpful he is. Mechanics have always been known as shifty and deceptive, but I got none of that from Jeff. From the very beginning, he gave me optimistic expectations and fulfilled them. When a supplier gave him a bad part, he took care of it quickly. His ability to over deliver really was exception.

While auto repair is one facet of his business. Jeff also does a lot of race-specific engineering. He made an all wheel drive Ford Contour. He’s putting a new school Ford 4 cylinder engine in a Triumph convertible. He’s in the process of doing a complete rebuild and upgrade of a Mazda RX-7. I don’t think there’s anything this guy can’t do in terms of custom fabrication.

So, if you have a car in disrepair and need support, I’d highly recommend Jeff’s shop. I’ll be taking all of my cars back there from now on.

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