How We Got Here
Look, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it - this whole thing started in a cramped garage off Marine Drive back in '08. Just me, a couple toolboxes I'd hauled from my apprenticeship days in Stuttgart, and an old BMW E30 that refused to die.
I'd spent nearly a decade working at high-end dealerships in Germany and the UK, watching techs treat these incredible machines like they were on an assembly line. It drove me nuts, honestly. Every Porsche, every Mercedes, every classic Jag that rolled through deserved better than some cookie-cutter diagnostic routine.
So yeah, I took the leap. Rented this space on Marine Drive - way too big for just me at the time - and put out the word that I'd work on anything European. No job too weird, no restoration too ambitious. The first year was... rough. Lots of ramen dinners and wondering if I'd made a huge mistake.
But then something clicked. Owners started bringing me their problem cars - the ones other shops had given up on. A '72 Alfa Spider with electrical gremlins nobody could trace. A Range Rover with a transmission issue three dealerships couldn't fix. Word got around West Van that there was this guy who actually cared about getting it right.
Fast forward to now, we've got a team of eight specialists, state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, and a client list that includes some seriously special vehicles. But the philosophy hasn't changed - we're still that same shop that treats every car like it's the only one that matters.
"We don't just fix cars. We understand what it means to own something you're passionate about, and we treat every vehicle with that same respect."
- Marcus Chen, Founder & Lead Technician
Every engine tells a story - we just help it run smoother
The Journey So Far
The Beginning
Opened our doors with just 850 sq ft of space and a dream. First month we serviced exactly three cars - all from friends who felt bad for me.
First Big Restoration
Landed our first complete resto job - a '68 Porsche 912 that had been sitting in a barn for 20 years. Took us six months but man, when that thing fired up... that's when I knew we had something special.
Team Expansion
Hired our first two techs - Sarah, who'd worked at a Bentley dealership, and Tom, an old-school British mechanic who forgot more about Jags than most people ever learn.
New Facility
Moved into our current 3,500 sq ft space. Finally had room for proper lifts, a dedicated paint booth, and enough space that we weren't tripping over each other. Felt like moving into a mansion.
Tech Upgrade
Invested heavily in diagnostic equipment. Got factory-level scan tools for every major European manufacturer. Modern cars are basically computers on wheels now - had to keep up.
Industry Recognition
Got certified as a specialist restoration shop by three major classic car registries. Also started teaching workshops on European vehicle maintenance - giving back feels good.
Electric Future
Added EV and hybrid expertise to our lineup. Whether it's a vintage Alfa or a new Taycan, we've got you covered. The industry's changing and we're changing with it.
Still Going Strong
Seventeen years in and we're busier than ever. Our team's grown to eight amazing techs, we've worked on over 3,000 vehicles, and we're still learning something new every single day.
