1970s Datsun (Nissan) 240Z Race Car

Almost Everything's Car of the Day is an historic restoration project that we took on for our good friend and racing legend Larry Oka. Larry runs Larry Oka Racing based at Sonoma Raceway (Sears Point) with race schools at Sonoma, Laguna Seca and Thunderhill. Some of Larry's racing experience began under Peter Brock racing the BRE 510 Datsuns in the original Trans Am series in the early 1970s.

This car began life as a stock 1972 Datsun 240Z. It was converted to a race car and campaigned in the 1970s and 1980s. Larry brought it to our shop to prepare for the 2015 Monterey Historic Races. (And he brought it back immediately after the races to fix the parts that he damaged during the race. Gotta love race drivers!)

The photos below chronicle the progression from shell to race car.

Herd of Miuras

Herd of Lamborghini Miuras by Steven Haas
Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance 2016

Steven Haas sent us this amazing photo from this year's Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in Florida. He says, "It's like a bag of M&Ms spilled into the grass." I doubt the Lamborghini factory could have had this many completed Miuras at one time when production was in full swing (early 1970s.) At roughly $2,000,000 each, this photo contains $12+ Million worth of Lamborghini Miuras plus a little more for rounding error in the form of a blue Aventador in the background.

I had the pleasure of attending the Pebble Beach Concours with Steve a few years ago. This gentleman knows cars and seemingly every living soul in the auto business: executives from major auto manufacturers, the writers and editors of all the car magazines, the people who restore & insure classic cars. He is currently Director, Financial Services at Hagerty Classic Cars so look him up to protect your valuable classic.

Alfa Romeo 4C Visits Shop

Almost Everything's Car of the Day is a 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C. We're car guys here so our hearts skipped a beat when this Italian beast pulled up. It was brand new and thankfully there wasn't a thing wrong with it. One of our long-time customers just purchased it and knew we'd enjoy being some of the first people in the USA to see one. I love Alfas and am excited that we are finally getting to taste them again in the United States.

Doing It Right--Restoration of a 1995 Toyota Supra

The 1995 Toyota Supra is one of the most beautiful cars ever made. It was hugely expensive and as a result, it was rare even when in production. Like the Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Viper and Nissan GT-R, it was a supercar from a company that otherwise made fairly pedestrian vehicles. The owner of this example brought it back to its original glory. He disassembled the car himself, had us fix all the dings, dents and rust, then had us paint it with our urethane 2-stage technology base coat-clear coat.

Before:

1995 Toyota Supra as it came to us for restoration

In Process:

Auto body repairs in process on 1995 Toyota Supra

In Process:

Surface reconditioning & sanding prior to paint on 1995 Toyota Supra

Ready for Reassembly:

New paint on 1995 Toyota Supra--customer wants to reassemble himself

Before:

1995 Toyota Supra as it came to us for restoration

In Process:

Auto body repairs in process on 1995 Toyota Supra

In Process:

Surface reconditioning & sanding prior to paint on 1995 Toyota Supra

Ready for Reassembly:

New paint on 1995 Toyota Supra--customer wants to reassemble himself

Before:

1995 Toyota Supra as it came to us for restoration

In Process:

Auto body repairs in process on 1995 Toyota Supra

In Process:

Surface reconditioning & sanding prior to paint on 1995 Toyota Supra

Ready for Reassembly:

New paint on 1995 Toyota Supra--customer plans to reassemble himself

Ready for Reassembly:

Beautiful lines of the last generation Toyota Supra

Ready for Reassembly:

Side vents for reassembly on 1995 Toyota Supra

Toyota Stock Photos:

Toyota Stock Photos: