"Time spent with a large diversified fleet and several years with Mack Trucks was good experience. After that, eight more years in new car dealerships revealed a need for a reliable honest repair shop. Vehicles have changed dramatically in these 30 + years. We take pride in helping customers avoid the expense of a new vehicle. A repair shop built on the principle of doing the right thing and actually FIXING something was our goal. A bonus has been that approximately 10 more shops have been opened by techs that started with us."

Norman Rutland

"I can attest to the quality of the work you will get out of Auto and Truck.  I watched Norman when he used to sell cars.  He wouldn't just talk about the benefits of any particular car he was showing to a customer. In his suit, he would get on the ground and SHOW the customer what he was talking about.  He truly cared about doing a thorough job, and with his shop that has not changed one little bit." 

Spencer Till-(Customer)

Welcome to the wonderful world of auto repair.  We have been fixing, restoring and tinkering with vehicles since 1983 at our shop in Birmingham, Alabama. When we opened our shop, we opened it on the principles of honesty and integrity in a profession that over the years has begun to get a bad reputation.  Just like times of old, you can bring your vehicle in and know that the people who are repairing it truly care about fixing it right, but also that we won't just "throw a bunch of new parts" at a problem.  We will track down the source and fix only what is needed to be fixed.  That is why "the art of repair" is not just a slogan to us.  We really believe that there is a genuine art to fixing something and fixing it right, for a fair price.  This isn't just marketing hype; just ask any of our loyal customers.

Every now and then we have an automobile come in that absolutely has to have the engine or transmission (or other REALLY expensive parts) replaced.  Many times we will suggest parts from a junk yard to help save unnecessary costs.  If your car needs new parts, we only order quality parts from  a select group of vendors.  We won't put a part in your car that isn't at least original equipment or better.

"The Art of Repair" isn't just what we do turning wrenches.  We have hot rod and car art, posters and other items for sale in our Shop Swag section.

In those circumstances that require something as serious as an engine replacement, we have engine building partners that are second to none when it comes to durable, dependable powerplants.  Whether it is an OEM engine or another type of motor, you can rest assured that you will have a durable engine for years to come.

This poster we created reflects what we are all about; parts.  How every part works with another part to provide the magic of driving your car down the road.  If you too are a fellow "gear head", perhaps you would like one of our high quality posters printed on 100% cotton paper.  Get ready though, it's big!  Check it out in our Shop Swag section.

As you can imagine, we get all kinds of cars to repair.  We service and repair every kind of car or truck; from economy cars all the way to the high powered road burners.  In this Vintage shirt from our 2014 Collection, we poke good-hearted fun at the fuel that our Prius owners are saving the race car folks.  If you would like one, go to the "Shop Swag" section.

When you put your heart and soul into repairing vehicles, that passion is bound to come out.  So we humbly apologize in advance for any long-running description of your particular car's issues.  We've heard from some of our loyal customers that we tend to give perhaps a tad TOO much information?   Well, better to know too much rather than not enough, right?

No one likes it when their car or truck breaks.  But rest assured, what might be a hassle to you is a challenge to us.  We look at any issue as a problem to be solved.  For over 40 years we have been solving problems both big and small.  So bring us your broken, your tired, your ragged out Camry longing to breathe free. We will make a masterpiece out of it.

Our skilled mechanics are always looking for the next masterpiece.  Just let us know if there is a car you've always dreamed of building and we will get right to work on it.

After your first service experience, you'll probably want to call them Michelangelo, or Leonardo, but here are our mechanics' real names and experience;

Norman Rutland, -Shop Owner

"When I was a teenager in Cinncinnati, Ohio, I figured out how to put a small block V8 into an Opel Cadet.  The first time I popped the clutch, the torque of that small block twisted the uni-body frame of that little Opel.  Since then I've been hooked on automobiles my whole life."  At an early age, Norman was exposed to the production of Pontiac Firebirds at the GM assembly plant in Norwood, Ohio. "I learned a lot just seeing how everything fit together.  It gives you a better perspective of every part's function within the complexity of the entire vehicle". After that he spent a few years selling Mack trucks then moving on to selling automobiles. "Norman puts incredible passion into everything he does.  From selling the car to now repairing them for 40 years now." Says fellow Pontiac dealer Bob Schoppert.   As Norman puts it "It is more than just fixing a car.  We want to solve problems. So many people fix something not addressing that there might be a larger underlying problem causing the need for the repair in the first place.  THAT's what we want to fix.  That's the way to truly repair something."

Morris Mewbourne - Shop Manager

Morris is married and lives in Trussville with his two children.  He has been exposed to anything and everything mechanical since the beginning. He grew up around every sort of repair you can think of and has been in the automotive industry for the past twenty-five years.  When he isn't crafting the art of repair, you'll probably find him with his family or behind a fishing rod somewhere.

Justin Crim – Technician

Married and living in Montevallo, Alabama,  Justin is a father of five children and has eleven grandchildren.  He is a Christian and is a member of Wilton Baptist Church in Shelby County.  Justin has been a mechanic for sixteen years. His passions (besides fixing a faulty water pump or stubborn A-Arm bushing) are hunting, fishing and mission work.

Lee Drummonds – Technician

Lee is married and lives in Moody, Alabama with two children.  He became a professional mechanic in 1995. His experience is with cars, light trucks, larger diesel vehicles, heavy equipment, small engine and commercial moving equipment.  He especially enjoys restoration work. When he isn't giving new life to old cars, he enjoys spending time with his children, and of course—drag-racing.

Timmy White – Technician

Timmy is single with two children and lives in Birmingham.  Timmy has been employed with Auto & Truck Services for thirteen years. He is especially partial to General Motors vehicles—especially LS engines and all types of mechanical repairs. When his head isn't under the hood of a car, you might find him under the hood of a stove as he loves cooking, as well as tennis.

 Howard Brock – Technician                 

Married and living in Springville,Alabama, Howard is retired USNavy – Nuclear Submarine.  He has two children that are both following in his footsteps by serving in the Navy.  Prior to joining the service, He worked in his father's auto shop in Leeds.  Howard has been employed with Auto & Truck Services for seventeen years.  When he isn't creating a new masterpiece of repair, you'll find him back at his other great love—the water, fishing.

Ken Brimer-Technician

    Ken is married and lives in Hoover. He has three children and 3 grandchildren.  Ken has been an auto mechanic since 1975.  He enjoys working on old automobiles. He loves music, playing piano, and gospel music. He has teaches 5 year olds at Green Valley Baptist Church in Hoover, AL.
    He loves his family, as well as camping, fishing, and "helping friends in need and asking for nothing in return".

This is one of the shirts in our Shop Swag store.  If you're a Mopar fan, you're always looking for a good Ford to eat, right?  Whether you are a Ford or a Chevy fan, we've got the shirts for you too.

At Auto and Truck, we want you to be just as happy with your bill as you are with your car or truck repair.  We try to save our costs to you wherever possible and guarentee our work.  Although these days it is more like "full value for every dollar" as everything seems to be overly expensive!

From our Shop Swag, we present multiple ways to express your love for cars.  Just simply click on Swag Shop to find what you're looking for.  And what you want to say to the world.

It would be impossible to talk about the Auto and Truck and our 30 year history, without talking about the secret of our success; and that is Grace and her support staff.  Keeping up with all the cars coming and going and trying to keep everything moving keeps Grace juggling like crazy.  "We keep our heads under the hoods.  Grace and her folks keep us in business."—Norman

Norman & Grace Rutland, the shop owners, are married and live in Vestavia, Alabama. They have three children and six grandchildren. Norman and Grace started Auto & Truck Services over 32 years ago.  Norman’s background is all automotive.  He started with a diversified fleet at Coca Cola of approx. 400 vehicles then Mack Truck, several auto dealerships in sales and sales management finally Auto & Truck Services.  Grace performs all office, bookkeeping tasks as well as meeting and greeting all customers.  Without her leadership and compassion for customers Auto & Truck Services would not be the success it is today.  If they ever get any free time, you'll find them with their grandchildren or flying planes.

Also keeping the shop running smoothly is Renee.  She keeps track of everything going on in the shop.  If Grace or Renee can't track down your car (or the mechanic) it isn't here.

Bookmark this page because every week or so we are going to try to stump you car nuts with the part of the week.  If you correctly name the part, the make and model of the car—and for you serious car nuts—the year, you will be in the running to win one of our original vintage "Gear Head" t-shirts.

This isn't just a slogan painted on our wall.  On this page we will give you some insiders tips and suggestions on how to get the most mileage out of your car without needing costly repairs