I'd like an estimate for either the number or percentage of automobile
mechanics in the U.S. who specialize in automatic transmissions (as
opposed to other types of automotive repair).  Ideally, I'd like this
estimate for either the 1970's or 1980's.  However, I'm happy to get
information for whatever year is available.

I'd also like to know if auto mechanics who specialize in automatic
transmissions do this type of work exclusively, or if they also do
other types of repair (brakes, etc.)

Thanks!

The quick easy answer is 5 to 15 percent of shops do transmission
repair.  Out of this, closer to 5% are pretty well exclusive
transmission repair facilities, and the other 5%-10% do other work as
well, such as brakes, alt/stareter, A/C, etc.

Most of the shops who do work besides transmissions are NOT full wheel
service folks: i.e. tires, front end alignment. Those guys tend to
specialize just in that.

In my town there is the usual AAMCO shop and 4 other major players. At
least 2 of the others are affiliated with a nationwide warranty
network.  The last is not: he's the local independent guy with the
long history and the good local buzz.

There are several more 1 man operations, general repair shops that
also will build a transmission (that's where I fit in), and the
general mix of "here today, gone tomorrow" guys.

Gainesville has about 250,000 people, and between 100 and 200 repair
shops in Gainesville and the surrounding towns. I've owned a shop in
Gainesville Florida (see http://econofix.com) and know other shop
owners around the state.  I can give you a very close "ballpark"
figure for my town, and I think it is fairly typical of most places.
 In the current yellow pages there are close to 250 listings under
just auto repair, and 26 listings under transmission repair.  I know
most of these shops, and at least 10 of the ones listed under
transmissions are not doing rebuilds themselves; (One is a mobile
repair service!) A couple of others are gas stations, etc. who are
getting units from a junkyard ort rebuilder and just getting the swap
time. Some shops rebuild transmissions, but have no listing in the
transmission section of the Yellow Pages.  (Once again, that's me!)
I rebuild only about 5 transmissions each year, though, so folks like
me aren't a really big part of the  picture.

I'm not one of google's payable guys, or I'd get you hard numbers: I'd
just go to the online yellow pages and compare "auto repair" to
"transmission repair".

But I'd bet money the percentages I gave you are within 1%-2% or so!

George

Thanks George!  That's very helpful.  I really appreciate your taking
the time to respond!