The History of Our Shop
Ken’s Automotive & Transmissions was a dream of Ken Mead. With his wife Peggy by his side, they opened Ken’s Automotive Transmission Specialties in 1968 in Bethesda, MD. It was a one bay, no lift shop.
While starting his new business, Ken worked nights at a newspaper job till the business took off. As the business grew, Ken’s Transmissions was moved to Kensington, MD where we had 3 bays, 3 lifts and 2 technicians.
In 1975, Ken and Peggy bought their first commercial property in Frederick, MD. While Ken’s Transmissions was building its business in Frederick, MD, Peggy ran the Kensington location. Within a year they moved the family to Frederick, MD and liquidated the location in Kensington, MD. In 1978 Ken and Peggy bought another piece of commercial property across the street from the Frederick location and opened Ken Mead Saab, Inc. with Peggy Mead as General Manager. In 1985 they sold the Saab franchise and focused on the transmission business. After tearing down the old Saab sales building, they built a new building with 4 bays and 4 lifts to add to the 5 bays in the main building. They also added a larger office space.
Ken died in 1991 after a courageous battle with cancer. His two sons, Mark and Wayne took over the business and Peggy became semi-retired. In 2000, Mark had a builders room added on to the main building. With a total of 9 bays and 9 lifts, Ken’s Automotive & Transmissions was now a full-service automotive shop. In 2010, Wayne left Ken’s Automotive & Transmissions to pursue his dream of opening his own business working on classic cars.
In 2011, Mark and his wife Donna, who is now working full-time beside her husband, remodeled the office, added an alignment machine and became a MD State Inspection facility. Mark & Donna’s son, Tyler, is now working full time at the shop as an automotive mechanic/technician. Mark is dedicated to carrying on his parent’s work ethic, integrity and the belief that the customer always comes first.
In 2018, Ken’s Automotive & Transmissions is remodeling its shop to ensure all facilities are up to date, clean, and comfortable.
Ken’s Automotive & Transmissions is a Total Car Care Facility! We are thankful to our community for their business, prayers and support over the years. Come visit us and say hello!
Cheers!
Peggy, Mark, Donna & Tyler Mead
