In 1959, Ed Leadbetter Sr. started the business at 33 South Ave. with his partner Bob McCarthy. The pair worked together for two years, until McCarthy was killed in an automobile accident.

When the property at 180 South Ave. became available, Leadbetter decided to move the business down the street.

Over the years that Leadbetter owned the company, he saw the gas service change from Flying A, to Getty and finally to Citgo.

With close to 30 service stations in town, South Avenue Motors is one of the last full-service stations in town.

The full service garage offers mechanical work, body work, inspection stickers, U-Haul rentals, used car sales and gas.

Over the years, Leadbetter said he has built up loyal clientele.

Leadbetter began working in the industry when he was 16 years old. He worked at the Sunoco in Hanover where he pumped gas that cost just 16 cents per gallon. He then went into the service before returning to the industry and working for the Texas Oil Company (Texaco) all over eastern Massachusetts. Leadbetter also attended training at General Motors.

When Leadbetter opened up shop at the current location, the property only had the gas pumps and a two bay garage. Through the years he expanded the business drastically. He added on two more bays and built a separate steel building.

Although Leadbetter has been retired for five years, he has three of his sons running the business. Each son has a certain expertise at the shop. Ed Leadbetter Jr. does a lot of the mechanical work, while David Leadbetter is in charge of selling the used cars and Brian Leadbetter does the bodywork. Brian also is in charge of the company’s bookkeeping.

David said when he is going to car auctions he is looking for inexpensive cars. He said that cars that sell for under $5,000 have a better turnover.

“Having more than one business has kept us in business,” David Leadbetter said.

Because the company offers various services, they are constantly busy.

The way cars are built nowadays has also been a big change Leadbetter said. In the 50s and 60s, Leadbetter said that the batteries of the cars weren’t made to uphold in the freezing cold temperatures. Back then he was also in the tow truck business.

“Things have changed a lot these days; everything is electronic,” he said.

Leadbetter said the frames of the cars and the paint work have also changed. Urethane paints and clear coats are now used. Brian said a quart of paint now costs $110. The shop has a mixing bank and can also look up online the exact color for the make of the vehicle.

Ed Leadbetter Jr. said mechanical work has change in the sense of what needs to be replaced on cars over the years. He said that common parts to replace and repair are alternators and brakes. He finds that parts are more expensive, because now cars are close to $30,000 compared to when they ranged from $12,000 to $15,000.

The gas tanks have also changed over the years. The Environmental Protection Agency now calls for the business to use metal double wall tanks coated with fiberglass. Years ago, when Leadbetter was trying to replace his tanks, the Fire Department officials told him that he could not have fiberglass tanks. Tanks that he installed at the time met regulation, but within a year or two he had to replace them due to EPA regulation changes.

Despite the numerous changes throughout the years the full-service garage has managed to keep up and build on  their clientele.