Get to Know Dart Automotive How Dart Got Its Start

Rick and Teresa Baum established Dart Automotive in 1997, but Rick has always had auto repair in his blood. When he was a kid, he worked at a cabinet shop and then at a gas station doing minor auto repairs. Later, Rick joined the Air Force and was stationed at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, where he stayed for 7 ½ years as an aircraft maintenance specialist on the F-4 and the A-10.

Teresa happened to crew the A-10, and Rick and Teresa met on base. During this time, however, Rick kept himself busy, working part-time as an automotive technician and operating a towing business even while he was servicing aircraft. Later, Rick moved with Teresa to Europe for three years to work maintenance on the F-111 Super Saber.

Despite Rick’s long tenure doing aircraft maintenance, he found his way back to auto repair. After returning to the states, Rick and Teresa settled down in South Carolina and Rick started working as a technician at a small independent dealership. He got his A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) License and ASE certifications along the way.

Call Us Now!

Is Mr. Dart there?

Yes, our mechanics are fast and accurate, but that’s not why we named our shop Dart Automotive Repair. “Dart” is actually a fusion of Rick and Teresa’s initials, but after customers began asking for “Mr. Dart,” we decided to name our shop cat Mr. Dart.

Well, everyone loved Mr. Dart, and he greeted our customers every day until 2012, when he crossed the Rainbow Bridge. All of us here, along with our customers, miss the little fur ball a lot.

An Auto Repair Shop of Their Own

In 1997, Rick and Teresa decided to go out on their own, and bought an existing Conway auto repair shop whose owner was about to retire. With a lot of elbow grease and the support of their wonderful customers and employees, Rick and Teresa turned Dart Automotive into the shop it is today. Rick, himself, now has more than 35 years of auto repair experience and is an ASE certified Master Technician with L1 Performance and Onsite certifications

Rolling Thunder DC ride for the POW's

Rick and Teresa were fortunate enough to participate in the Rolling Thunder Ride in DC. Met a lot of great people. It was a wonderful experience to stand up for the POW’s that have not made it home, and to honor the Vietnam Veterans that served and that died for our country. Here are some highlights.