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When brothers Thomas A. and Martin Fitzpatrick opened a repair shop in Dorchester, Mass., in 1894, they focused on horse-drawn wagons and carriages. Little did they foresee that 122 years later their shop would still be around, long after their blacksmiths, carpenters and wheelwrights were gone. Today, Fitzpatrick Brothers is a family-owned, productive collision center equipped with technologically advanced tools, trained technicians, and nary a horse or carriage in sight. It has been at the same location since it opened and may very well be the oldest body shop in North America. Third- and fourth-generation Fitzpatricks—Frank and Neale, respectively—now run the busy shop. With such longevity and an obvious commitment to the community, the collision center has become a well-known fixture in the area. It was inevitable that Fitzpatrick Brothers had to change over the years. As founders Thomas and Martin knew, it was only a matter of time before motorized cars and trucks would supplant horse- drawn vehicles. Keeping an eye on the future, they were prescient and made the modifications that would keep them in front of the competition. One simple technological step made a big difference. "In 1926, we were the first auto body repair shop to start using spray guns to paint cars FITZPATRICK BROTHERS CORPORATION MAY BE THE OLDEST COLLISION SHOP IN NORTH AMERICA and wagons," says Neale. "Before that, painters had to use brushes. That let us work faster with better results." Since then, the family has kept pace with industry advances. New equipment—including spray booths, frame machines and computers—was acquired and is continuously updated, ensuring a high level of quality repair and refinish work. Through the decades, Fitzpatrick Brothers has repaired police cars and fire trucks, construction vehicles and commercial fleets. In 1969, the family elected to refocus the business. "We decided to concentrate on passenger cars and small commercial vehicles," Neale explains. "It was a wise decision. These are expanding market segments, and we're succeeding. Customers keep coming back, and we're even doing work for second- and third-generation customers." IN IT FROM THE BEGINNING 14 FITZPATRICK BROTHERS