COURTLAND—As far back as when he was in third-grade, George Collins Jr. knew he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. His father, George Collins Sr., was — as now — at T&A Repairs in downtown Courtland.

“I wanted to be a mechanic like my father,” said Collins Jr., 33, who added that he’s spent his whole life connected to the shop, including doing homework there after school.

In fact, Collins Jr. got to say that very thing when he was interviewed as a child by another newspaper after having won a book reading contest. As part of the award, Collins Jr. even got to be on television at a Richmond station.

But of course before the son followed, there was the father, Collins Sr., who began his career at the auto shop with his friend, the late Russell Neblett. They had been called on by the late Moroe Joyner, who wanted to create a local repair shop in Courtland. Working with them was Joyner’s daughter, Karen Hodges.

Several years into the business, Joyner retired owing to health issues. Even after the founder’s death, his presence is seen in the shop in the personalized license plates hanging on a wall.

Hodges and Neblett were ready to get out by 2003, said Collins Sr., who then bought their shares. The ownership changed, but the name remains the same.

The T and the A, of course, stand for Tractors and Automobiles.

Then the shop did 70 percent farm equipment, and 30 percent cars; today it’s 30 percent tractors and 70 percent autos, he said.

There are other significant differences to how the father-and-son team do business.

“Thirty years ago you could get a tune-up for $50 to $75,” said Collins Sr., 63. “Today it can be $300, $400 to $500.”

That’s because of how autos are now built; computers are an integral feature to their operating.

“They’re much more complex,” he said. “You can’t just buy parts, such as spark plugs, and put in the new ones.

“The majority of people don’t understand cars. They think that all you need to do is just put the key in the ignition and drive away.”

In spite of such sophistication, or because of it, both men are adept at handling just about any automobile that pulls into their service station.

Lately, they’ve been doing much of the work themselves.

“Finding a qualified worker is difficult,” said Collins Jr., who added that he and his father are looking for a skilled technician.

He said of his two sons, Camden and Dawson, the latter is more inclined to follow in his father and grandfather’s footsteps.

Meanwhile, they are ably assisted by Teresa Gresham and Jennifer Colyer, who keep everything organized when it comes to processing bookkeeping, orders and schedules.

“I was at Social Services, and when George Sr. opened, he asked me to retire and come work with him. I was full-time until January,” said Gresham.

“This is like a family. We were friends before I came here. It’s a real good situation.”

Also trustworthy is Henry Porter, 75, who works part-time.

“He still enjoys coming to work. He’s been dependable and faithful for 30 years,” said Collins Jr.

As for the next three decades, T&A Repairs will continue to do what it’s known for far and wide.

“We’ll offer quality and affordable repairs to our customers,” said Collins Jr. “They know they won’t get ripped off.”