Raleigh AUTO REPAIR

About 1st Class Automotive

Raleigh's Auto Repair Shop!

At First Class Automotive, we pride ourselves on our dedication to providing Raleigh, NC with superior customer service and complete auto care. For more than 30 years, we’ve worked hard to cultivate a friendly environment and maintain the small-shop feel that we honed during our more humble beginnings years ago.

We understand that auto repair is usually unexpected and unplanned - that’s why we strive to make the process as simple and convenient as possible for our customers. To ensure your comfort with our automotive repair services, we explain each cost and back all of our auto service work with an 24 Month / 24,000 Mile Warranty. In order to maximize your convenience while your vehicle is being repaired, we offer a complimentary local shuttle service in Raleigh, as well as complimentary loaner cars if your automotive repair service is going to take a little longer. Since 1983, customer satisfaction has been the foundation of our business, and we continue to strive each day to make First Class Automotive the best auto repair shop in Raleigh, NC! Learn more about the exceptional staff at First Class Automotive that makes it all possible!

Owner

Harry Whyte

Harry was born in Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC. He graduated from Broughton High School in 1980 and from Sandhills Community College in 1982. He attended NCSU for Engineering from 1982-1983, but left to be part of the start-up for First Class Automotive. Harry's interest in the auto repair industry was evident early on, as he has been working on BMWs since he was 13 years old. He is also married with 2 adult children, Chelsey (his office manager) and Coleman. Harry loves architecture and design (especially modern), cars, computers, cycling, golf and being outdoors. He serves on the Executive Committee for Service Center Scholars, and is a current member of BBB, IGO, and NFIB. Harry is also a member of C12, a local Christian CEO group, and a member of Church of The Apostles in Raleigh.

 

Jackie Bullock

Jackie was born & raised in Apex, North Carolina and now lives in Knightdale. Jackie has 2 children & six grandchildren. He enjoys restoring classic cars & attending auto shows. Jackie has been working for First Class Automotive since September 2001.

Chris Mason

Chris was born and raised in New Milford, New Jersey and moved to Wake Forest, North Carolina in 2000. Chris has always been interested in cars since he was at a young age and always knew he wanted to be involved in the automotive industry for his career and just the love of automotive world. Chris has been in the automotive industry since 2008, starting his career as an automotive technician. Since 2011, Chris has been a part of First Class Automotive providing the highest level of service and care to every customer.  In his spare time, Chris spends a lot of his time at the coast, time with family and friends, and enjoys his own personal automotive projects.

Chelsey Harrington

Chelsey was born & raised in Raleigh NC. She graduated from Broughton High School in 2006 & from Appalachian State University in 2010 with a Hospitality and Tourism Management degree. After college graduation Chelsey moved to NYC to pursue her career in Customer Service. Her customer service skills have been sharpened through experiences in hotel reception and food service, early childhood care and education, and even a short period working a ticket booth at a famous comedy club off Broadway. The last 6 years she has been the Hospitality Manager at a well know bakery in Manhattan but decided to return to Raleigh which she considers her “true home”. Chelsey has always had a strong interest in cars which she undoubtedly received from her Father. As a shop owner’s child, cars, especially unique ones, were a constant influence during her childhood. Chelsey enjoys hanging out with Family & Friends, reading, going to the beach, music & attending concerts.

Megan Smith

Megan was born in South Bend, IN and moved to Raleigh in 1990. She graduated from Millbrook High School in 2000. Megan spent many hours as a kid in the garage with her dad. By watching him work on the family cars and asking lots of questions she gained valuable, practical knowledge about how things work. This practical knowledge has a big asset in her career in the automotive field. Megan has been working in the automotive industry for 8 years. She started working at independent dealerships but has now transitioned to the repair side of the industry. Megan has 1 teenage son; they love to go camping and traveling to new places.

Technicians

Mike Smothers

Mike was raised in Dubuque, Iowa, on the Mississippi River. His parents noticed right away that he was interested in how things worked. It started with toys, then bicycles, and finally cars. He was always tinkering around with something. After graduating high school, Mike moved to Phoenix, Arizona to attend AAI Technical School, and stayed there for 24 years. During that time, he earned numerous automotive training certificates including his ASE Master L1 Automobile and Master Medium Duty. He relocated again in 2012 to North Carolina for a “better quality of life.” Mike enjoys being outside – exploring, hiking, camping, fishing, and boating – and North Carolina provides plenty of that!

Craig DeLeon

Craig was raised in Newark, Ohio where he graduated from Granville High School in 2004. From his childhood Craig’s parents knew of his love for tinkering and saw his curiosity for all things mechanical quickly grow as he grew up. From automobiles, to audio equipment he was always taking things apart and rebuilding them into something new. From 2005-2009 he attended The University of Toledo for Studies in Human Resources and Marketing. Shortly after college he realized his love for automotive was stronger than ever and decided to relocate to North Carolina to attend The NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI) in Mooresville NC. He graduated in 2010 with certification in automotive technologies. In 2013 Craig decided to make Raleigh his new home. Craig is an audiophile and enjoys jazz music, he also enjoys attending drag racing events working on his personal project car and traveling.

Chris Hawks

Chris was born and grew up in Wake Forest NC. From a young age he loved cars and loved working on them. After high school Chris moved to Charlotte and attended UNC Charlotte where he studied mechanical engineering. After a year in the engineering program, he realized that working on cars was really his passion. Chris then pursued his degree at Central Piedmont Community College in automotive systems technology with their BMW Automotive Development Program where he thrived. He has been working in the industry for 4 years and is excited to continue following his passion. In Chris’ free time he likes to work on his project cars and spend time with his family and friends.

Andrew Anthony

Andrew was born and raised in North Carolina. After moving around quite a bit, including three years in Daytona Beach Fl, he ultimately settled in Wake Forest in 2019. From a young age Andrew enjoyed taking things apart and figuring out how they worked. He knew he enjoyed learning about mechanical things and was introduced to cars at a young age by his grandfather, who was a service writer for Cadillac. After Andrew graduated from Sanderson High in Raleigh, he worked briefly as a lube tech and later as a technician at a small shop. Although his interest in cars started at a young age, most of his family worked in new home construction and land development. Following that path, he was an apprentice to a general contractor for several years and subsequently studied Electrical Systems at Wake Tech. From there, he worked as a residential electrician for four years. In early 2023, he decided that the automotive industry was truly where he belonged and decided to join the team at First Class Automotive to further his career. We are happy to have Andrew join our team!

Detail Technician

Max Gowland

Max was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and moved to Raleigh when he was 5. He has lived in Raleigh now for 18 years. Max considers himself a perfectionist which is a great asset. As a Detail Technician you want to make everything as perfect as possible. Max’s hobbies include a love of tattoos. He actually creates and inks tattoos on himself. Max also has a real love of one wheeling! With recent addition of our Detail Business Max has been a real asset.