Automobilia

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT! I have been bringing my car here for about 4 years and the work that Eddie puts into my car has always been 100%. From oil changes to any heavy mechanical work, I choose to bring my car here. Eddie will let you know in detail what’s wrong with your car and show you as well. The estimates/​prices are fair, the work is good, and I will continue to refer Automobilia to all my friends.

RIP Keith :(
I’ve been coming to him for years because my dad was his customer. Yes, he was a perv but he knew his way around cars and would constantly give you a deal.

CAUTION: He made inappropriate sexual advances toward my cousin and almost didn’t let her leave by physically blocking her. A person like this should not be given any business and women please be careful if you still decide to bring your car to him, he might help you out «for free» but will suggest sexual favors in return.

Keith is a dirty old man, very dirty.
During my first visit, I was very impressed with what I believed was the best mechanic ever.
As time passed I realized that each time I took my car to get something fixed, some new problem would arise, so after going there for more than one year I finally had to stop and get rid of my car so I would not have to go back to him.
I wish I had never gone there in the first place. Repairs were costly and there was no end to it. I became very uncomfortable and stopped trusting him; he has a very bad temper. He installed a radio in my car without authorization, I called him on it and he became extremely angry. «he was not going to remove something that was in for a month». The radio did not work and he did not know how it worked. I asked him for the owners manual but he «didn’t have it».
He sure has a bad temper! and not only that, but Keith is nasty, he has a dirty mind and is personally dirty as well. He likes to touch women and makes dirty comments.
I’m happy not to have to go there ever again!
Check it out if you’re a woman any age, you’ll agree with me.

My car one day just stopped running. This place was the only place that was open late enough so I just had it towed there. It turns out my transmission was shot. I didn’t have much money at the time and I started crying in front of Keith. He was so helpful and nice (I think he felt a little bad for me) and fixed it for a really low price. I couldn’t be more happy with everything. Great place, great service and I’ll continue to go here!

My fluids in my car were running low. Keith topped them off and did not charge me a cent. I used to go to him 20 years ago and happened to be in the area when this happened. Maybe he did this because I was an old customer, maybe because he is a nice guy. Yes, he can be a bit flirty with the ladies, but I have always found him to be honest and kind, even decades later.

Have to give Keith major props. Brought my car in at 4:00 p.m. with a leak in the fuel line. Keith told me they’d be open til 7:00 and he’d try to have it repaired by the end of the day. Sure enough, I got a call just after 6:30 and went and picked up my car. I thought his rate was reasonable, as well.

I CAN NO LONGER RECOMMEND THIS TROLL!
After seeing Keith for years with my rapidly aging car, I had to stop. Went in for new breaks, but one of the mechanics left the battery running over night, which I found out after I paid and got into my car.
Keith offered to SELL me a new battery.
How about a jump?
How about test my battery?
«IT WAS LIKE THAT WHEN YOU BROUGHT IT HERE»
How was it like that? I didn’t push it in!
He blew me off. I sat in my car crying because I had no way home and no more money.
My boyfriend comes down and rips him a new one.
Oh yeah, he’s very «GRABBY» with the ladies. I learned, the hard way not to go there without a male escort. He said some terribly dirty things to me over the years. I won’t gross you out with the details. I tried to laugh it off as dirty old man stuff, but it was NASTY! (the ex thought it was funny and worth putting up with as long as the price was right. also the ex knew a lot about cars and could verify that Keith’s advice was legit, so I trusted him for a long time.)
He also said to me «you’re the one whose car is eating up gas». No, that’s not me. Gas is fine in my car. NOT NOW!
So…I’m looking for a new place if you have suggestions.
Where are the HONEST mechanics?
Oh yeah– my breaks are scary. he said they would be weird for a bit because they’re new. that was in december 2011, it’s now April: (

I’ve been to this place before to have my radiator replaced, which turned out to be a decent experience. This time it seemed as though he was trying to scam me. I went in to get my check engine light turned off and he told me it could cost up to $ 1500 to fix it! I told him it probably just needed the valves replaced and that there is no way I would spend that much money. i couldn’t stop laughing because I thought he was joking. Turns out that he realized that I wouldn’t spend that much on a vehicle that was only worth around 3K so he quickly said he could fix it for much less. Really? The other problem I had with him was that he had my truck for 4 days. Really? Every time that I called him it was «gonna be another day.» Really? Finally I get my truck back and it’s now the engine is making a noise that it wasn’t making prior to dropping it off. REALLY?! I will not be going back to this guy for even an oil change. You can do better unless you’re looking for someone to hold on to your ride for an extended period of time, overcharge you and make stupid jokes about every girl that has come through his shop.

I too was not informed that he only takes cash and also had to empty the local ATM. In addition, I was not entirely pleased with the service I received on the two occasions I visited (the second a follow-​up of the first — check engine lite still on). Though I am a very difficult person offend — MEN, DON’T SEND YOUR GIRLFRIENDS, WIVES, SISTERS OR DAUGHTERS TO THIS DIRTY OLD MAN. The first comment is kinda funny from this old guy with an accent, the suggestion that I get a «job» and he would be my first «client»… not so funny. Especially on the second visit while my husband is moving the car for him and he is still asking me when I am going to start my «business». Good memory for an older fellow, but not for the issues on my car. Then it turns out that he is not able to help us, that the dealer has the tool needed to reset the stupid light. Ugh!

I’m sure the other people probably aren’t lying, but frankly I was disappointed. He didn’t mention he only took cash, so I had to walk to an ATM to get money, and ultimately decided against having him work more extensively on my car. He also forgot to call me and when I called thought he had already talked to me. I’m sure he’s a decent honest mechanic, but honestly I think he’s a little too eccentric for me.

You cant go wrong with bringing your car here. They are simply the best. Keith is very helpful and has stories to keep you entertained if you are waiting for your car. Dont go to firestone or pepboys. They rip you off and Keith is an honest guy that wont hustle you. You seriously cant go wrong going here. I am very picky with who touches my cars and who doesnt. I will only let keith touch my car. Dont hesitate to go there.

STAY AWAY!!! This guy is a dirty old man! He is extremely unprofessional, extremely inappropriate, has nudie magazines all over the place… and if you are a woman, he will come on to you, and make perverted comments. Most horrible experience ever. Do yourself a favor and stay away! I have never posted a review before, but this place and the owner were SO Disgusting — I had to warn you all!

Automobilia, simply known as «Keith» in our household, is a rare find. And, the older and more troublesome your car (a Volvo in my case), the better off you are using this guy. His prices are way below anyone else I have tried, and he has successfully diagnosed and fixed problems that had stymied other mechanics until I tried Keith. Keith knows a lot about cars, and is happy to explain any aspect of your car’s repair or even why something should not be repaired. OK those are good reasons to take your car there. I have found that he will not recommend any other services as he generally does not examine anything beyond what you brought your car in for in the first place. So if you want him to give your car a once-​over, ask for it.
There are other reasons to go to Automobilia. Keith is a former motorcycle stunt rider (from England) with endless stories of Studio City and Hollywood lore that include the dead and famous and the living and anonymous. Always allow a little extra time to chat when you stop in. You can do worse than getting to know your mechanic.

Automobilia is the name of the company, but Keith «Herman» Melville is the man to talk to. Is he an Aussie or a Brit, as Eurie C. has described him? Regardless of his origins, he is hilarious and the most helpful mechanic I’ve ever met, and I come from the South, where mechanics are to be trusted with your life. Keith will take care of your car, tell you stories, and when it’s all said and done, and is absolutely dirt cheap, especially for the unbelievable service you have received. I will go so far as to say that Automobilia is the only reason I have ventured in to the Valley since I moved to LA that I did not regret, and the only business in the Valley that I will frequent and for which I will proudly call myself a «regular.»