Following his passion for Classic Cars

Some people are lucky enough in life to work at something they love and would choose as their hobby and enjoyment, too.  Such is the good fortune of Ken McGough.

In Honoraville, Alabama, Ken McGough and wife Debbie are the owners of Ken’s Service Center, which provides service and sales for commercial mowers and utility vehicles.  Sitting on property purchased in the 1930’s by her grandfather, the family business serves Greenville, Troy and Luverne.  Their son, Thomas, also works there, and when not driving a Crenshaw County School bus, so does Debbie.

It all began for Ken working at his father’s service station.  When only a ten year old, Ken was already proficient at pumping gas, as were his two older brothers.  It was back in the day of “full service” and the brothers washed windshields, pumped gas, changed tires, and checked the oil.  He learned to drive early by being the one to drive the customer’s car around the station’s lot.  With eight brothers and sisters, Ken never expected a new car from his dad, but accepted the offer for his first car – a 1958 Ford Fairlane – to fix up.  He could drive it, but knew it would be for sale.  It sparked a career for which he is now recognized as an expert.

When Ken married Debbie in 1973, he was hired by Lance Smith at Kershaw Manufacturing in Montgomery, where he continued to work for 18 years.  A highlight of his time there came when his employer chose him to transport one of the most famous automobiles of the day, a 1935 Duesenberg SJ Speedster.  His chore was to deliver it, safely, to Asheville, NC, for restoration.  Already a classic car enthusiast, he jumped at the opportunity.  The value of the car?  $4.5 million.

His own antique car business had begun in 1974.  He had purchased a two-door Hudson sedan, selling it to a young man in Greenville as a ride for his school prom.  That sale set in motion many to come, and over the years he has personally owned more than 20 classics.

The sale of one vehicle, a 1969 Corvette helped pay Thomas’ tuition to Troy State where he received a degree in business.  “Thomas”, says Ken “is into street rods and muscle cars.  Most young people are into low-ride vehicles right now.”  Thomas’ wife Rebecca, has also received acclaim when her 1994 Mustang was featured in Mustang Magazine.