Marty’s Auto Works
by Kevin Fritz
Having a go-to mechanic is like having a trusted family doctor. It’s the assurance that you can pick up the phone and get help right away from a person you can count on. And for a quarter-century, Seminole County residents have enjoyed just that type of service from Marty and Kathy DiSanto, founders and co-owners of Marty’s Auto Works.
The thriving family business, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, serves customers in two locations – Longwood and Oviedo – the latter of which opened in 2012. The company’s ASE Certified technicians offer what they refer to as Complete Auto Therapy.
“What sets us apart is our quality of work and success over the past 25 years,” says Kathy, who was born and raised in the Orlando area and handles the marketing side of the business. “And Marty goes above and beyond to make sure customers are happy. We’ve had some customers from day one. We’re now working on their grandkids’ cars.”
When Marty’s Auto Works first opened its doors, it was just the DiSantos and one mechanic. Today, 16 employees boast an average tenure of 10 years, and business is booming more than ever.
Marty, a former auto technician and service manager, says he always dreamed of opening his own auto repair company.
“My dad could fix anything and I helped him since I was 14 years old,” Marty recalls. “In my senior year of high school, I was pulled out of class to fix the bowling team’s bus that broke down. I was thrilled. My mother really wasn’t.”
After moving from his native Miami to Central Florida, Marty was working in a local auto shop when a young lady pulled up in a sparkling new 1984 Pontiac Trans Am. All of the shop’s mechanics went outside to see the
car, including Marty. But he was more smitten by who was behind the wheel. Marty asked Kathy on a date that day, and they married two years later. This year, the couple celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary.
When the Winter Springs couple is not managing their business, they are dedicated grandchildren-doters. Daughter Jenny, who lives in Oviedo and also helps her mom with the marketing, has two kids. Son Alex is raising three children in Gainesville. Their other daughter, Vicky, lives in Los Angeles.
Marty also loves racing and assists with the Indy Lights, a feeder league to the IndyCar Series.
To Marty, whether on the track or in the shop, it’s always been about the cars and the people who drive them.
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