A collection built around Bill’s life journeys
Bill has a reputation that speaks volumes. Bill served two years in Vietnam, became a banker, is a renowned historic contributor for Pasadena City College, and owner of a real-estate investment company, whose office, formerly a body shop, hosts a garage with a collection that would make any grown man drool.
The older brick building is “L” shaped and flanked by a concrete driveway sprinkled with rocky cactus settings throughout. Surrounded by a brick and wrought iron wall, a courtyard setting provides seating, in the corner of which sets an old neon sign reading Fair Oaks Body Shop. Bill’s six roll up metal doors protects his collection that are showcased with cannery lights hanging from the beamed wooden ceiling that’s supported by metal truss.
His man cave would not exist without his prized possession he inherited from his father, a 1951 Chevy with black interior and butter cream exterior. Bill restored his father’s classic four years ago and still recalls the day his father relocated 14-year-old Bill and family from Oklahoma to California. The Chevy was Bill’s first collector car, which made him hunger for more. However, he never thought he would fall in love when he purchased his second collector’s item at the age of 28.
After his tour in Vietnam, Bill was stationed in Bragg, North Carolina when he fell in love with his wife, Brenda. He and Brenda experienced their first date when Bill was driving a 1963 silver Corvette, and since then they’ve been married for 47 prosperous years with two sons.
History was also in the making of this fine garage – the Corvette sits between the 1951 Chevy and a silver SLS Mercedes. In addition is a 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, the first year for disc brakes on a 300SL, a car that’s been part of his collection for 27 years.
Bill’s modern yet ’50s swag resonates throughout the garage with a refurbished 1950’s jukebox and original Shell gas pump, but the sheer age and style of the garage by itself is highly reminiscent of another time – the polished concrete floors, brick walls and wooden beam ceiling with canary lights truly take visitors back to a bygone era. Adding a splash of color are custom mosaic tile Porsche and Ferrari emblems by Valentine on the wall.
The polished concrete floor makes his olive green wood cabinets with lightly patina’d metal counter tops and silver horizontal handles a focal point. The colors are remarkably somber, relaxing and just a bit colder, like a museum. But, a 1965 Porsche Cabriolet in stunning bright red breaks up the cool atmosphere with sharp contrast. A car he’s owned for 30 years, it is again in sharp contrast to the 1962 Porsche Cabriolet in silver that he’s owned only for three years. Next to these is a newer Ferrari 550 and vintage Ferrari coupe, both in silver, and maroon XK150 Jaguar roadster bookending the collection before entering a serene sitting area.
Decorated in lavish leather, modern embellished-back barstools, and marble counter tops, Bill calls this portion of his garage and office “The Man Cave.” Playing very much the lounge theme, the tile flooring in the bar and kitchen flow throughout the entire room. Commanding attention on the center of the wall is large, flat screen television.
Bill’s expertise and real estate partnerships made the transformation from aged body shop to modern office space with no trace of the original owner’s purpose, inside and out. Greenery grows around the black metal gate, which gave the commercial property a vineyard estate feel, and terracotta pottery with plants lightly circled around tranquil wooden benches and the perimeter of the garage. Outside and in, Bill has created a wonderful space in which to relax and enjoy, unwind and even entertain. From time to time, Bill hold events at the garage due to his professional and charitable associations such as the San Marino Motor Classic, Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena Commentary Gardens, Pasadena Pops, Pasadena City College, and the Smithsonian.
“What I like about my garage the most is that it’s my place to relax,” said Bill. “I know my wife is happy because her bedroom can no longer get smaller when trying to make my garage at home larger. Now I have another garage from home.”
