McCabe’s Automotive Specialist is a family owned business started in 1972. Ever since we opened our doors we have been committed to providing the greater University Place Area the best customer service and auto repair service every day for every customer. Whether you are coming to us with an urgent issue or simply being a cautious car owner and bringing your vehicle in for routine maintenance, our teams main goal is to get the job at hand done right and done right the first time.

Rick McCabe, President

Rick McCabe started in business in April 19^th 1972. He got into the automotive industry because his parents had a grocery store and since it was not a good idea to leave him home alone he spent a lot of time at their store. When Rick was 14 years old he was approached by the man that owned the gas station across the street and was asked if he wanted a job. Rick of course said yes. That was when it all started. Rick fell in love with working on cars. When he was 19 years old he got his very own Enco (Exxon) station on 50^th and South Tacoma Way which was then moved to 44^th and Bridgeport Way. In 1978 Rick opened McCabe’s Foreign Car Repair and then later sold the station in 1979. At first, McCabe’s specialized in foreign cars, but it wasn’t until 1980 when he change the name to McCabe’s Automotive Specialist when he started servicing foreign and domestic cars. In 1983 Rick went from working on the cars to just writing service and working with the customers. He worked the front counter and service department by himself until he hired his first service advisor in the early 90’s. After being in business for over 42 years he was approached by someone who was interested in purchasing his business, however he wasn’t quite ready to sell.

In 2015 Rick and his wife Rebecca sat down and talked about the idea of possibly one of their children taking over. When they came to their youngest daughter – Ashley, they thought she would be the perfect fit. They approached Ashley together with the idea of taking over the family business and she was interested. Rick informed his daughter Ashley that if she didn’t love it that it was okay because owning the shop was his love, but if she did love it she would succeed. After the last two years of working with her father Ashley has loved every minute. It has been a challenge for her to enter the automotive industry but with her father’s guidance she plans to keep the shop going for another 50 years.

Now having just celebrated our 47th Anniversary, the multi-generational McCabe’s Automotive Specialists is prepared to continue the legacy of great service, great value and Love Behind The Wrench that started nearly half a century ago!