The story of Revolution Motors is the story of Pat Whale, the garage’s eccentric founder. Let's trace his career from shade tree mechanic in 1980s Wimberley, to becoming the founder of one the most successful and dynamic independent European garages in central Texas.

Chapter 1
VILLAGE ORIGINS... THE DOCTEUR PEUGEOT DAYS

The story opens at the end of World War 2. Patrick John Ramsay Whale was born in Finisterre, Brittany. Via Britain and Canada, he arrives in the village of Wimberley, Texas in 1981.

Locals notice he has a knack for fixing European cars. He is fluent in French, wears a beret, and can seemingly talk to the cars better than most of the Hays County cowboy mechanics in the village. Our wily European becomes known as 'Docteur Peugeot' and beneath the glorious live oaks and pecans of the Hill County, opens his first business.

Chapter 2
1983: THE MOVE TO BAT CITY

Dr. Peugeot is soon overwhelmed with work, and finds himself in Austin, away from his wife Carol and son Patou too much. It is time to move the family into the world’s live music capital, and near central Hyde Park he sets up shop at 807 Capitol Court.

Pat sees himself back then as 'a lone wolf out of left field,’ and with his first employee Jonathan Burnette on the payroll, they set about keeping Austin's Renaults, Peugeots and Citroens on the road.

Chapter 3
FRENCH REVOLUTION, 1984 - 1995

The name Docteur Peugeot comes to an abrupt end one day after a phone call from Peugeot headquarters in Paris.
Absolutement non, says the company to le docteur's name. It is time for a change.

We enter the era of the French Revolution. A miniature guillotine in the waiting room completes the picture. 

These are the years of consolidation. Because of the garage's considerable spirit and charm - something hard to locate in many of the city’s other garages - the French  Revolution becomes a popular place for Peugeot repairs.

Two mechanics and someone in the office is Pat's operation. They introduce computers and a parts department, a website, and all goes well. . . until 1991. 

Without warning Peugeot America announces the closure of all of its North American operations. Roger Beasley relinquishes the Peugeot dealership, and in 1992 Pat takes it over.

Chapter 4
NAME CHANGE 3,  1996 - 2005

As happy as Pat is with the title Official Peugeot Dealer, when he peers into the future, he sees his business going the way of the brontosaurus. One day he hears that Mike Boer is thinking of selling his popular Boers German Motorworks. Pat buys it.

The garage's future is in general European automotive repair... not just French anymore. The garage becomes Revolution Motors. Now there are three mechanics and a service writer at work  - as they transform the business into a top class German and Swedish specialty repair shop.

Bono becomes service manager. Birthday celebrations include a screening of 'The Italian Job' (original) on the garage's front
doors,  and a performance by Paris 49 and Juliana Hatfield.

Chapter 5 
25th ANNIVERSARY YEAR!

Chapter 6

THE RETURN TO FRANCE

After 29  years at the helm of Revolution Motors, Pat’s thoughts turn to retirement, and the search begins for someone to buy the business. After many false starts, he finally connects with Paul Knighton and at 9 a.m. on  Monday, April 13, 2009,  Paul is given the keys and becomes the proud new owner of Revolution Motors. 

 Pat stays on as a consultant during the year of transition… and then finally puts into practice what had been for years just a dream: a return to Europe – a return to his Gallic roots.  He currently divides the year between spending summers in Saint-Germain-en-Laye in the outskirts of Paris (where he works as a translator), and winters in Austin.

  Says Patrick:       “ Et bien les amis, dear friends, amigos and my dear customers, many of whom have become my friends during the course of my 29 years of piloting. It is time now for something completely different ( in the words of St John de Cleese).

            From the blogosphere  I will be contributing occasional missives , commentaires and observations as time, mood, cafés au lait spiced with Calvados will allow , and so au revoir and thanks for all your support and goodwill in the last 29 years! Without it and the great work of the many fine people over the years it has been my privilege, (not say fun and a total blast!) to work with, Revolution Motors would not have existed.         

            Under the ownership of Paul, ably supported by  la belle Kathi at the front desk ,  Capitaine Bono at the helm, Revolution Motors will go onwards to a great future.”