Seacoast native Isaac Davenport runs a one-man show at his small automotive repair shop, Davenport's Busted Knuckle Auto, in Hampton.
[Charles McMahon photo]

HAMPTON -- It's a one-man show at Davenport's Busted Knuckle Auto on 7 Kershaw Avenue, and owner Isaac Davenport said he is just fine with that.

Davenport, 30, has been running a solo automobile repair shop since August 2011.

Having worked as a mechanic at multiple high-end dealerships throughout the region over the years, the Rye native and Portsmouth High School graduate said he has learned that he'd much rather work for himself than anyone else.

The reason, according to Davenport, has a lot to do with the lack of interaction one has with the customer while working in the maintenance department at a dealership.

"You don't ever actually see the person whose car it is, and they don't see you," he said. "I liked the dealership atmosphere, but there was this big disconnect with the customer that I didn't like."

Since starting his own business, Davenport said he has really become accustomed to working with customers and doing both the behind-the-scenes repair work and the customer service that goes along with it.

"At a place like this, I'm the one who answers the phones, I'm the one who works on your car, and I'm the one who, in the end, is responsible for delivering your car," he said.

Davenport said another positive aspect of owning his own shop is that it gives him the opportunity to really explain to his customers what is going on with their vehicles.

He said oftentimes what he has found is that people are very apprehensive when it comes to spending money on costly car repairs.

"I like the opportunity to be straight with people," he said. "If you're honest and straight with people, they are usually happy with spending the money."

Davenport said the fact that he is so local also underscores the importance of being up front with people about their car repairs.

Davenport said he is capable of working on pretty much anything, having trained at the Universal Technical Institute, one of the country's premier providers of technician training for students seeking a career in the automotive industry.

While his specialty is working on any type of Audi or Volkswagen, Davenport said he is also capable of doing diagnostic work, wiring and testing the "runability and driveability" on any model from any year.

"The only thing I can't do is tires and alignment," he said. "I can do everything from an oil change to motor replacement to a complete electrical diagnosis."

Davenport said he hopes to expand his business in the future. Not only does he hope to add a second vehicle lift, but Davenport said one day he hopes to hire a few people to join him.