Roy Goldstein had no idea when he started the company in 1953. Neither did his twin sons, Bruce and Michael, when they joined the Philadelphia business in 1974.

But what started as a muffler repair shop in North Philadelphia, has grown into two complete automotive repair centers, two additional franchises, a Truck & Auto Accessory Store, and an auto glass replacement and window tinting shop. There is also a separate car parts wholesale business, started in 1985, called Car Parts Distributors which is owned by Walt Rosenbaum, Roy’s son-in-law. Car Parts currently has two locations.

The current auto accessory ,window tinting, and glass replacement center is located in front of the wholesale operation, and down the street from the company’s original muffler repair shop in the Germantown/ Nicetown section of Philadelphia. They are convenient to Center City, Mt. Airy, Northeast Phila., & Roxborough. The suburban repair center is located at the intersection of Township Line & West Chester Pike, serving Havertown, Upper Darby, Drexel Hill, West Phila. , the Main Line, and other surrounding suburbs. The two franchises are located in Elkins Park and Northeast Phila.

The repair center “is everything people need but don’t want” said Bruce Goldstein. This business (referring to the accessory center) is a self-gratification business for people who want to feel good about themselves and their car.”

RAPCO (which stands for Roy’s Automotive Part’s Company) started as a muffler shop for American built cars. As cars evolved, so did the repair business. “We now specialize in complete car maintenance”, Bruce says. “We are the check engine light specialists. We offer services just like the dealer, but at more reasonable prices. We’re the place to go for alignments, tune ups, brakes, suspension, and air-conditioning. We try to educate the customer to allow us to do their scheduled maintenance services. In the long run, it ends up saving them money.”

Mike explains the accessory store as a natural outgrowth. “We started to see cars coming in with bigger chrome wheels, and all these add on items. S U V’s and trucks were just becoming popular and people were accessorizing them. I figured, we have the customer base, and we have the physical space, we should be doing this too. Cars and trucks tend to all look the same now. People are spending so much on new vehicles, they want them to stand out and personalize them. It makes them feel good. “

Rapco also specializes in work truck accessories such as bed liners, tool boxes, ladder racks and truck caps. “ We make your truck work harder…and look better” Mike says.

The family business is moving into the third generation with the addition of Roy Goldstein’s grandson, Jason Goldstein. He is instrumental in managing the auto glass and window tinting division as well as accessory sales and installation. “There is nothing in the world like walking into the store and seeing my grandson behind the counter” Roy Goldstein said, “It’s a real thrill.”

Excerpts taken from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Rosland Briggs – Inquirer Staff Writer