More than Thirty Years of Honest, Expert Service

"Do it right the first time. Back your work. Hire honest, competent people you'd trust to work on your own family's cars." Those are the keys to more than 30 years of success of Gaylord's Garage in Lakewood, according to Founder and "Chief Wrench" Les Gaylord.

Gaylord's Garage has been a respected and valued family-run business in Lakewood for more than 30 years. Many of their customers have been with them for decades, staying loyal to Hondas and Acuras so they can continue to count on the honest, expert service that Gaylord's provides for their cars.

A mechanical engineering graduate of the University of Colorado, Les Gaylord has enjoyed a lifetime love affair with cars. He raced cars, from his beloved Lotus to many Hondas, over his 53-year, Colorado Racing Hall of Fame career.

In addition to racing, Les ran a foreign car repair shop in Aspen in his early days. Then he switched gears and joined the corporate world as a ceramics engineer with Coors Porcelain in Golden. But he missed racing. So he went to work for the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), spending several years working on the local racing scene. But once he began racing and maintaining the newly introduced Hondas, in the 1970s, he saw the need for an independent Denver-area shop that specialized in expert repair - at a highly competitive price. Soon after, he found a small, basic garage in Lakewood, and set up shop.

"In those days, we didn't even have lifts (to elevate the cars for repair)," Les says. "But the early Hondas were so small that we could move them around without any problem. Things were pretty quiet at first, so much so that we rented out part of the shop to a Jaguar repair outfit. But the more people heard about and drove these fun and reliable little gems, our business grew. Our customers have always been our best advertisement."

In 1998, Les decided he wanted to retire. While for most people that would mean slowing down, for Les it meant speeding up - on the racetrack.

"It was just the right time for me to hand the wrench over to my son, Scott," Les explains. "He was at a point in his professional racing career when he wanted to start investing in the business for his family's long-term security. And his wife, Donna, also a racer, was ready to take on the records and day-to-day financial demands of the business while they raised their three young boys."

It was a natural fit for Scott and Donna, who met as part of the SCCA National Championship Racing team - racing speedy little Honda CRXs. "We both enjoy being around cars and helping people keep their cars safe and reliable for the long term," Donna says. "It's nice to have a business that people can count on to deliver super service on one of their most expensive investments."

Scott agrees, explaining that they have to earn their customers' loyalty every visit. "Cars have gotten bigger and much more complex, and our knowledge and equipment have expanded right along with the cars," says Scott. "We have online access to the Honda and Acura factory repair information, which helps us to ensure proper maintenance of cars and zero in on even the most unusual quirk that a car might display. Plus, our mechanics have specialized training and a lifetime of mechanical experience to pick up on even subtle signs of problems that others might miss."

This year, one of their mechanics will celebrate his 25 th year at Gaylord's Garage. The other three mechanics have been with the shop for a number of years, having graduated from technical schools and gone through specialized factory training, too.

"There's an art and a science to auto repair, and we are so lucky to have honest technicians who have both the art and the science down," Scott says. "That allows us to serve our customers well, whether on the latest, top-of-the-line Acura model or an old-school, mega-mile Honda. Our guys genuinely enjoy their work, take pride in delivering great service, and welcome a challenge."

"We are pleased to be able to serve generations of customers," Donna says. "In many cases, customers have referred their parents and children to us. We also have several groups of co-workers and neighbors who visit us on a regular basis."

Joan C. always says, "Never fear; Gaylord's is here!" A retiree and long-time customer, she has stayed loyal to Hondas for more than two decades because she counts on Gaylord's for dependable maintenance and repair services. "They are the best," Joan says. "They're honest, helpful, and watch out for me as if I'm part of the family."

Daniel F., a computer programmer, says, "The Gaylord's Garage staff goes above and beyond to help me prioritize critical maintenance and repair. Through changing financial times and an unexpected crisis, they help to keep me safe on the road, and they make it easy to do what's right by my vehicle. I've found their 'used car check' service invaluable as well."

There are always new people discovering Gaylord's, too. Lisa H., a college professor and three-year customer, says, "My car runs exceptionally well because of the exemplary automotive care I have received at Gaylord's Garage. The staff and mechanics are friendly and helpful, and they explain everything extremely well. I unconditionally recommend Gaylord's Garage, and I wouldn't trust my car repairs to anyone else!"

"It's great to know that people value our work," says Les. "I never imagined that the business that began with the simple philosophy of delivering expert, honest service would become a busy, 30-year-old business that continues to grow with the Honda and Acura family of vehicles. It's an honor and a privilege to help customers keep their cars in top working order. And," he says with a twinkle in his eye, "it's a lot of fun!"

Honda and Acura owners interested in making an appointment with Gaylord's Garage can call 303-232-7645. Gaylord's is located at 1451 Depew in Lakewood, just four blocks west of Colfax and Sheridan.