East Bay Area Mechanic and Body Shop

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Chris G Erickson
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Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2018 3:11 pm

East Bay Area Mechanic and Body Shop

#1 Post by Chris G Erickson »

Hi All,
I am looking for a mechanic and a body shop for my 64 356C Cab, ideally located in the East of San Francisco Bay Area. I have been a quiet member of the registry since the 80's. Back then I mailed my engine to Vic Skirmants, who after a few months crated it back up and sent it back. All was well for 30 years. She has now been in storage for sometime and needs a mechanic...

I'm also looking for someone to strip the paint, do some good metal work and repaint the car. The underbody pan is in good shape.
Suggestions? Recommendations?
Chris Erickson
1964 C Cab #160734
Cell 408-921-8834

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Ron LaDow
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Posts: 8092
Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:45 am
Location: San Francisco

Re: East Bay Area Mechanic and Body Shop

#2 Post by Ron LaDow »

Chris,
The attached list really doesn't address body work, and all credit is due Steve Douglas who compiled it several years back. I've done nothing other than kept it on file, and added when someone provided a new source:

Repair Shops in Northern California
I have gotten a great start to a list of shops that may have 356 experience. I want to thank those who contributed, more than 30 replied. I am hoping that this will be a continuously growing list with contributions from local members. This list only offers the contact information, no recommendations, criticism, or issues are considered. That is up to the individual to do research, find out what fits their needs. One must remember it’s not 1970 anymore, and we are driving obsolete cars, that require ancient procedures. No computer to tell what’s broken, knowledge is important with our cars, many have never had to learn the basics or have forgotten them dealing with modern cars.


North Bay
Dave Merz Santa Rosa - 324 D Yolanda Ave (707) 545-3566
May have moved to new location???

European Performance Billy McNair 32 Galli Dr # 4, Novato, CA 94949
(415) 382-8394

Hi-Tech Automotive 779 Andersen Dr, San Rafael, CA 94901 (415)258-9619

San Francisco and South SF

AVR, 824 Ellis St., SF 415-474-0600

Aldo’s Performance Motors 770 Post St, SF BAD REP

Post Auto 955 Polk St, SF Frank Wong and John

GD Racing 1172 Montgomery St San Bruno (650)742-9322

Pacific Motors, 1700 Pine St., Harry Habashi, George, 415-771-8860


Oakland and East Bay

Deutsche Motor Sport 288 Buchanan Field Rd # 4, Concord, CA 94520 (925) 689-0232
Tom recently sold the business, unknown as to continued quality of work

Bauer Porsche 601 Brush St Oakland (510) 834-2772
current owner is unknown

Bill Eason 3423 Harlan St Oakland, by appointment (510)420-1262

Sam Sipkims 3427 Magnolia St Oakland (510)632-8232

Michael Agishian 2939 Eastman St Oakland shop is by appointment also mobile services (510)531-2139

Richard Troy 356 Coachworks (510)717-6942 East Oakland Early 2 piece motors

Holleran’s Performance Pinole mostly 911 shop some 356 experience

Va Vere's VW - Gary LaVere 1121 Landini Lane, Concord, CA (925) 798-2001 Does some 356 mechanical

Pacific Power Motorsports Walnut Creek 2149 N Broadway, Walnut Creek
(925) 937-2277
Valhalla Automotive John, 3453 Golden Gate Way, Lafayette, (925) 284-2844 Long time Porsche shop selective in customers and work, semi-retired?


Ron’s Transaxle Repair 1009 Broadway San Pablo (Call First) (510)235-6263
Transaxle must be out of car and delivered to his shop


Peninsula and San Jose areas

Don Wise Campbell 1320 Dell Ave Ste E, Campbell, CA 95008 (408) 871-9108
Several recommendations by members

RMG, Dan Heinrichs and Dan Leitner, 960 W. El Camino Sunnyvale (408) 738-2060
several recommendations by members

Paul Colby Autosports Exclusive 1030 S. Claremont st, San Mateo (650)212-3561 Complete Restorations, repairs engine rebuilding 356 Oriented

Tom Amon. Mobile Works West. 408/429-0545. Works at your house

Modderman Service 1900 Old Middlefield Mt View (650)967-3213

John’s Mobile Engine Services 1753 Leslie St San Mateo (650)574-4643

BW VWs and Porsches - Bill Wortz 1240 Pear Ave “N” Mt View (650)967-8889

High Performance House 2005 Spring St. Redwood City (650)364-6234
Rich Bontempi Parts and Repairs

D&M Motors 190 Channing Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 329-9016

Peninsula German Car Service 134 - 17th Ave San Mateo (650) 349-3433

Portola Valley European Garage 4170 Alpine, Portola Valley
(650) 851-7442

Santa Cruz and Monterey

C&C Services Dave Moldenhaur 249 DeLaVina Ave monterey (831)373-5355 Service
Parts (831)372-2312

Dave Loop European 160 Calle Del Oaks Monterey (831) 393-9995

Mark Miletich 5523 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley, (831)438-1356 Call for appointment Complete 356 Restorations to Tune Ups


Canepa Motorsports 2700 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley

Ted’s Foreign Cars
5524 Scotts Valley Dr # 13, Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (831) 438-3755

Lawrence Farmer 16840 Joleen Way D-4 Morgan Hill (408) 483-9085
Has been trying to retire and works only when he wants, current status unknown

Peter Sandholt 9929 Timothy Path Salinas (831)633-0112 Retired works from home

Sacramento, Foothills and Central Valley

Ted Blake’s Restorations 2701 21St St Sacramento (916)447-3665 Several recommendations

Franks Automotive 5220 Folsom Blvd Sacramento (916) 452-0917

Anthony's Classic Motor Works (530) 887-0800 165 Borland Ave Auburn, CA 95603 New guy with old Porsche experience, yet unknown

Metric Motors Clark Anderson - Sonora (209) 588-8345

Mike Buckenham Stuttgart West - 1241 N El Dorado St, Stockton,

Ken Porter Precision El Dorado Hills (916) 941-2314 may have switched to boats, did air-cooled engines, transaxles and tuning

Metric Auto Parts and Service (530) 345-0074 · Address. 1023 W 8th St; Chico,

South Out of Area may be worth the drive

Craig Smith Morro Bay (805 772-3021 Complete mechanical repairs/restorations

Markham Motor Works Larry Markham Somis (805)920-9040

Jack Staggs Vintage Specialists 1321 Calle Valle Suite N San Clemente, CA 92672
949-942-9606

USE THIS LIST AT YOUR OWN RISK, it is a non edited list contributed by 356 and 912 community members. In no way is there any recommendations being made. Do The Research before you choose, and please don't shoot the messenger, Im only passing along information
Last edited by Ron LaDow on Wed Jun 20, 2018 6:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Ron LaDow
www.precisionmatters.biz

Jeffrey Leeds
356 Fan
Posts: 1280
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 4:57 pm
Location: Northeastern MA

Re: East Bay Area Mechanic and Body Shop

#3 Post by Jeffrey Leeds »

Ron and others, FYI: On June 12, 2018 I received the below email regarding Bob Grigsby and RMG Enterprises. Dan & Dan have been with Bob forever so I would not expect any change in the excellent craftsmanship that has exemplified this business since its inception.
- Jeff -

Hi Friends of RMG,
We just want to announce Bob Grigsby has retired and sold the business to his only 2 employees Dan Heinrichs and Dan Leitner. Bob says he got out alive and is now enjoying his retirement.
As new owners we don't plan on changing a lot right away but you will notice the email address has changed. The new email is
realmeangarage@gmail.com
--
The RMG Enterprises Crew ( Dan & Dan )
960 W. El Camino Real
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
408.738.2060 phone
408.738.2889 fax
realmeangarage@gmail.com
www.realmeangarage.com
< Jeff >

Registry Member Since 1978
1963 356B T-6 Super 90 Coupe
2009 997.2 Carrera S
2015 958 Cayenne diesel-1 & 2015 958 Cayenne diesel-2

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Ron LaDow
356 Fan
Posts: 8092
Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:45 am
Location: San Francisco

Re: East Bay Area Mechanic and Body Shop

#4 Post by Ron LaDow »

Thx, Jeffrey. Changed here and the file copy.
Ron LaDow
www.precisionmatters.biz

Steve Douglas
356 Fan
Posts: 1109
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:49 pm
Location: Gilroy, CA

Re: East Bay Area Mechanic and Body Shop

#5 Post by Steve Douglas »

Hi Chris. The SF Bay Area has become a "void" of Porsche shops that work on 356s, yes there are a few, but with the rise in property values along with the air quality restrictions many have left for other areas. Bill Eason ,Michael Agishian, and Richard Troy are basically the only ones left in the East Bay doing mechanical work. Body shops with 356 experience are very limited also, Paul Colby in San Mateo, Dave Worm may still be doing work in Oakland, however have not heard from him in a while. Seems like Sacramento foothills area has been the choice for relocation of several shops, Kim Nelson in Shingle Springs would be a good resource, as would be the 2nd Saturday 356CAR Breakfast, 9am at Marie Calendars Sunrise Blvd in Cirtus Heights. Santa Cruz still has a few body shops left, Mark Militech, Tod Rego, Bruce Schmidt come to mind.

I think the best plan would be attend some of the gatherings of 356/early 911 folks. There is the www.356CAR.org group's breakfasts + website, go to the 1st Saturday "street gathering" in Emeryville (formerly EASY) 8-12, Harlan St/Park St or two blocks away maybe at Fantasy Junction at Park and Emery Sts. , and the Walnut Creek PCA Diablo Breakfast every 7:30am Saturday at the Butercup Pantry on Ygnacio Valley.
Try Al or Spenser at Partsheaven for references. Contact me if you need further help soquelglen@prodigy.net Steve Douglas

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Dan Macdonald
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Posts: 1029
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:37 pm
Location: Marin County, Calfornia
Contact:

Re: East Bay Area Mechanic and Body Shop

#6 Post by Dan Macdonald »

Hi Steve,
Here in Novato, Billy McNair is still going strong with his shop, European Performance.
He's a great 356 (and 911) mechanic.
Dan Macdonald 
'59 A Coupe (105327) 
'57 Speedster (82954) 
Registry #1921 (1982) 
DMAIA@aol.com
My YouTube Channel: Tinmeister 356

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John Lindstrom
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Posts: 336
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2017 9:51 am
Location: Stanford, Ca. USA

Re: East Bay Area Mechanic and Body Shop

#7 Post by John Lindstrom »

Also, looking for someone in the Bay Area that still works on our old radios.

Chris G Erickson
356 Fan
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: East Bay Area Mechanic and Body Shop

#8 Post by Chris G Erickson »

Thanks Ron! wrote:Chris,
The attached list really doesn't address body work, and all credit is due Steve Douglas who compiled it several years back. I've done nothing other than kept it on file, and added when someone provided a new source:

Repair Shops in Northern California
I have gotten a great start to a list of shops that may have 356 experience. I want to thank those who contributed, more than 30 replied. I am hoping that this will be a continuously growing list with contributions from local members. This list only offers the contact information, no recommendations, criticism, or issues are considered. That is up to the individual to do research, find out what fits their needs. One must remember it’s not 1970 anymore, and we are driving obsolete cars, that require ancient procedures. No computer to tell what’s broken, knowledge is important with our cars, many have never had to learn the basics or have forgotten them dealing with modern cars.


North Bay
Dave Merz Santa Rosa - 324 D Yolanda Ave (707) 545-3566
May have moved to new location???

European Performance Billy McNair 32 Galli Dr # 4, Novato, CA 94949
(415) 382-8394

Hi-Tech Automotive 779 Andersen Dr, San Rafael, CA 94901 (415)258-9619

San Francisco and South SF

AVR, 824 Ellis St., SF 415-474-0600

Aldo’s Performance Motors 770 Post St, SF BAD REP

Post Auto 955 Polk St, SF Frank Wong and John

GD Racing 1172 Montgomery St San Bruno (650)742-9322

Pacific Motors, 1700 Pine St., Harry Habashi, George, 415-771-8860


Oakland and East Bay

Deutsche Motor Sport 288 Buchanan Field Rd # 4, Concord, CA 94520 (925) 689-0232
Tom recently sold the business, unknown as to continued quality of work

Bauer Porsche 601 Brush St Oakland (510) 834-2772
current owner is unknown

Bill Eason 3423 Harlan St Oakland, by appointment (510)420-1262

Sam Sipkims 3427 Magnolia St Oakland (510)632-8232

Michael Agishian 2939 Eastman St Oakland shop is by appointment also mobile services (510)531-2139

Richard Troy 356 Coachworks (510)717-6942 East Oakland Early 2 piece motors

Holleran’s Performance Pinole mostly 911 shop some 356 experience

Va Vere's VW - Gary LaVere 1121 Landini Lane, Concord, CA (925) 798-2001 Does some 356 mechanical

Pacific Power Motorsports Walnut Creek 2149 N Broadway, Walnut Creek
(925) 937-2277
Valhalla Automotive John, 3453 Golden Gate Way, Lafayette, (925) 284-2844 Long time Porsche shop selective in customers and work, semi-retired?


Ron’s Transaxle Repair 1009 Broadway San Pablo (Call First) (510)235-6263
Transaxle must be out of car and delivered to his shop


Peninsula and San Jose areas

Don Wise Campbell 1320 Dell Ave Ste E, Campbell, CA 95008 (408) 871-9108
Several recommendations by members

RMG, Dan Heinrichs and Dan Leitner, 960 W. El Camino Sunnyvale (408) 738-2060
several recommendations by members

Paul Colby Autosports Exclusive 1030 S. Claremont st, San Mateo (650)212-3561 Complete Restorations, repairs engine rebuilding 356 Oriented

Tom Amon. Mobile Works West. 408/429-0545. Works at your house

Modderman Service 1900 Old Middlefield Mt View (650)967-3213

John’s Mobile Engine Services 1753 Leslie St San Mateo (650)574-4643

BW VWs and Porsches - Bill Wortz 1240 Pear Ave “N” Mt View (650)967-8889

High Performance House 2005 Spring St. Redwood City (650)364-6234
Rich Bontempi Parts and Repairs

D&M Motors 190 Channing Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 329-9016

Peninsula German Car Service 134 - 17th Ave San Mateo (650) 349-3433

Portola Valley European Garage 4170 Alpine, Portola Valley
(650) 851-7442

Santa Cruz and Monterey

C&C Services Dave Moldenhaur 249 DeLaVina Ave monterey (831)373-5355 Service
Parts (831)372-2312

Dave Loop European 160 Calle Del Oaks Monterey (831) 393-9995

Mark Miletich 5523 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley, (831)438-1356 Call for appointment Complete 356 Restorations to Tune Ups


Canepa Motorsports 2700 Scotts Valley Dr, Scotts Valley

Ted’s Foreign Cars
5524 Scotts Valley Dr # 13, Scotts Valley, CA 95066 (831) 438-3755

Lawrence Farmer 16840 Joleen Way D-4 Morgan Hill (408) 483-9085
Has been trying to retire and works only when he wants, current status unknown

Peter Sandholt 9929 Timothy Path Salinas (831)633-0112 Retired works from home

Sacramento, Foothills and Central Valley

Ted Blake’s Restorations 2701 21St St Sacramento (916)447-3665 Several recommendations

Franks Automotive 5220 Folsom Blvd Sacramento (916) 452-0917

Anthony's Classic Motor Works (530) 887-0800 165 Borland Ave Auburn, CA 95603 New guy with old Porsche experience, yet unknown

Metric Motors Clark Anderson - Sonora (209) 588-8345

Mike Buckenham Stuttgart West - 1241 N El Dorado St, Stockton,

Ken Porter Precision El Dorado Hills (916) 941-2314 may have switched to boats, did air-cooled engines, transaxles and tuning

Metric Auto Parts and Service (530) 345-0074 · Address. 1023 W 8th St; Chico,

South Out of Area may be worth the drive

Craig Smith Morro Bay (805 772-3021 Complete mechanical repairs/restorations

Markham Motor Works Larry Markham Somis (805)920-9040

Jack Staggs Vintage Specialists 1321 Calle Valle Suite N San Clemente, CA 92672
949-942-9606

USE THIS LIST AT YOUR OWN RISK, it is a non edited list contributed by 356 and 912 community members. In no way is there any recommendations being made. Do The Research before you choose, and please don't shoot the messenger, Im only passing along information
Chris Erickson
1964 C Cab #160734
Cell 408-921-8834

Chris G Erickson
356 Fan
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2018 3:11 pm

Re: East Bay Area Mechanic and Body Shop

#9 Post by Chris G Erickson »

Thanks for all your advice and help! Really appreciate it. I'm now sorting through all the data, and contacts though it looks like Bill Mcnair in Novato or RMG may work out nicely.


I also received an offline contact for Roland in Burlingame, as a long time 356 mechanic. No last name just a number. Does anyone know of or know Roland?
Chris
Chris Erickson
1964 C Cab #160734
Cell 408-921-8834

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Jules Dielen
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Posts: 3157
Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:25 pm
Location: Arizona

Re: East Bay Area Mechanic and Body Shop

#10 Post by Jules Dielen »

Jules

Water pumps are for windshield washers only.

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