Classic cars filled the parking lot of Canepa of Scotts Valley on Saturday for a benefit for the De Anza College Automotive Technology program. The First De Anza College Auto Tech Club Car Show, which organizers said they hoped to become an annual event, drew about two dozen cars and generated some buzz for the program.
Right at the entrance to the show, Gabriel Garcia of San Jose was polishing his modified 1998 Nissan 240SX and talking shop to anybody who had a comment about his car.
The shiny engine came out of a 2001 Camaro and he’s replaced the rear end, suspension, added sway bars and a lot more.
“It was close to $20,000 worth of work,” he said, but worth it to have a car like this. “I love it.”
Sean Chambers, acquisition manager for Canepa, was inside his showroom talking to many of the dozens of visitors. While cars like Garcia’s and other classics like a 1946 Ford “Woodie” Station Wagon were parked outside, the Canepa showroom on the first floor and its race car museum on the second floor drew at least as much interest as the car show. Porsches dominated the showroom, but more exotic makes and even an old Volkswagen Beetle found space. The second floor was filled with classic racecars and motorcycles.
“It’s pretty amazing to see what’s that’s up there,” Chambers said.
Located at 4900 Scotts Valley Drive, Canepa was originally a Seagate Building. Its showroom and museum are open Monday through Saturday.
The fundraiser was initiated by Scott Tucker, who works at Canepa and is a teacher at De Anza.
