Personalized Autohaus: What We Can Do

If you drive a Porsche, BMW or Volvo, you need to see us! Visit Personalized Autohaus for BMW repair, Volvo brake jobs, Porsche restoration and more. Read about our services below and come visit us! If you live in La Jolla, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Penisquitos and surrounding areas we are conveniently located!

MAINTENANCE SERVICES:
                * Minor & Major Services (7.5K, 15K, 30K etc, Inspection I & II)
                * Calendar Based Services (Brakes Fluid & Antifreeze Flush)
                * 4-Wheel Alignment (Street and Competition)
                * Jack Weight and Corner Balance
                * Brakes (Including ABS) and Suspension
                * Pre-purchase Inspection
              DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES:
                   * Check Engine Light Diagnostics
                   * Electrical (Batteries/Starter/Alternator/Generator)
                   * Ignition Systems
                   * Fuel Injection
                   * Airbag (SRS) Warning Lights
                   * Factory Approved Diagnostic Equipment
              OVERHAUL SERVICES:
                   * Engine (Street & High Performance Street)
                   * Transmission (4 & 5 Speed)
                   * Carburetion (2 & 3 Barrel/PMO, Solex, Zenith, Weber)
              PERFORMANCE SERVICES:
                   * Brakes (Pagid Racing Pads), Brake Cooling Systems
                   * Race Car Construction, Full Race Prep and Mentoring
                   * Quaife Limited Slip Differentials & Twin-Plug Engines
                   * Custom Gear Ratios for Specific Track Needs
                   * Race Car Transport Locally and Nationally
                   * Arrive and Drive Plans
              RESTORATION SERVICES:
                   * 356 and Early 911s
                   * Ground-up Restoration
                   * 356 Tall 4th Gear for better highway drivability
                   * Chassis Undercoating
                   * Extensive used parts inventory for that hard to find part

More on Personalized Autohaus’ Wayne Baker

Once he felt he had exhausted the 914-14, Wayne decided to take on another challenge by campaigning a 934 Porsche in the GTO class for the 1983 IMSA racing season. That year, Wayne competed in 17 races coast-to-coast with co-drivers Jim Mullen and Kees Nierop. He enjoyed five class wins and was the first to win the 12 hours of Sebring first overall. But the pinnacle came when he won the IMSA GTO Championship.

In 1985, Wayne decided to retire from racing … but three years later he was introduced to vintage Porsche racing when he entered a customer’s 1958 RSK at Laguna Seca for the 50^th anniversary of Porsche. The experienced paved the way for many other events, like racing a 1967 Porsche 910 in the Tour Auto in France, 24 hours of Magny Cours in a 1965 Porsche 911, racing in Spa, Belgium, Nurburgring and Monza, Italy.

Wayne organized the Porsche 2.0 Liter Challenge Series with HSR-West in California in 2000. Due to his experience and background, Wayne offers custom Porsche setup, mentoring and an arrive-and-drive program for new and experienced drivers alike. He has traveled to many of the U.S.’s famous tracks, like Sebring, Daytona, Road Atlanta, Road America and Watkins Glen, with his 4-car transporter and 6-car transporter.

{Photo Credit: opencage.info}

All About Wayne Baker

When we say we specialize in vintage Porsche repair, we mean it! Personalized Autohaus’ Wayne Baker became a Porsche mechanic trainee in 1963 and went to Porsche Certified School in 1965. After working in the Porsche dealership system in L.A. as a journeyman mechanic, Wayne moved to San Diego and established Personalized Autohaus in 1974. That same year, Wayne wed Nancy and she became a major part of the complete Porsche restorations business in 1976.

In the late 1970s, racing became a large part of Personalized Autohaus. After racing in SCCA, Wayne moved up to the professional series in IMSA by racing a highly modified 914-4 cylinder, light-weight, 2.0 liter engine—and he achieved over 230 horsepower!

To our knowledge, Wayne was the first and only person to win an IMSA race in the GTU class in a 914-4 cylinder, when he won Sears Point, and also to completely finish both the 12 hours of Sebring and the 24 hours of Daytona in this same car.

The 60th Anniversary of The Mobile 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring

The 60^th Anniversary Celebration for The Mobile 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring will be held March 14-17, 2012—and Personalized Autohaus’s Wayne Baker will be there along with other past winners. The picture above shows Wayne Baker, Kees Nierop and Jim Mullen in the winner’s circle after winning the Twelve Hours of Sebring back in 1983. The trio will return to Sebring International Raceway for the celebration in 2012.

Baker, Nierop and Mullen were the first ever to win an overall race in the GTO category. Wayne was driving the last stent to the finish and Greg, his crew chief, didn’t tell him that he was first overall—he thought he was just first in his class. The second place car was less than a minute behind Wayne, but Greg didn’t let on for fear that he would let the excitement get the better of him and lose out on first place.

In 2008, the three drivers were invited to Sebring for the Twelve Hour race to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of their famous win—undoubtedly one of the most historic wins in vintage Porsche racing U.S. history. Wayne will

On Sebring International Raceway’s official website, Sebring President and General Manager Tres Stephenson says, “We are not resting on our laurels following the hugely successful 2011 race. We fully intent on making the 2012 race the biggest and best Sebring ever. Our 60^th anniversary celebration will be something special.” Stay tuned!

Even if you’re not hitting the track in your Porsche Speedster, visit Personalized Autohaus to get your Porsche purring like she should be.

A Blast from the Past: 1967 Porsche 910

{Wayne sitting in the Porsche 910. Photo Credit: Pascal Gai}

{Wayne and Nancy Baker celebrating in Bierritz, France at the conclusion of the five-day race. It was his first time completing the Tour Auto and he emerged victorious in the competition category!}

{Some Paris students stopped for a photo with the 910}



{The Porsche 910 making its way down the red carpet}

{One of Tour Auto's staging areas}

Porsche restoration services are one of Personalized Autohaus’ specialties, and the personal passion of Personalized Autohaus founder Wayne Baker. So it should come as no surprise that when Wayne participated in the 2000 Tour Auto in France he and co-driver Yves Junne were ecstatic about driving a 1967 Porsche 910 owned by Stanley Gold.

Traditionally, the race begins in Paris at the Tracadero in front of the Eiffel Tower and lasts for five days straight—during which hundreds of spectators line up alongside the road to watch Porsche Spiders and other amazing cars zoom by. Cars have to be 1980 or older to enter so there are always some beautiful cars in the race!

Calling All Volvo Owners!

Do you drive a Volvo? Personalized Autohaus has been providing alternative to dealer services for Volvo owners since 1974.

So what makes Personalized Autohaus the best place to take your Volvo for maintenance, diagnostics, performance, overhaul and restoration services? The talented team!

A certified technician on all Volvos, Porsches and BMWs, Glenn Roberts joined the team in 1977, became shop foreman in 1985 and part owner in 2005. An Automotive Service Master Technician since 1982, Eric Benner is a Certified Volvo Master Technician and has been with Personalized Autohaus since 1992. So what are you waiting for? Bring your Volvo to Personalized Autohaus!

Don’t take our word for it? This customer testimonial from a Volvo owner will do the trick:

“I have been coming to Personalized Autohaus, Inc. with my 1994 Volvo 940 for several years and have found the technicians and staff to be very efficient and reliable. They get the job done right the first time and at a reasonable cost. I would highly recommend this facility to any Volvo owner,” B.L., San Diego.

Photo via masolino.

Some Advice for New Porsche Owners

Being a Porsche owner for the first time can be an exhilarating experience. The thought of having a classic or new vehicle with such high performance should be an exciting prospect. Many Porsche owners say that one of the first things you should do is join the PCA  (Porsche Club of America). Doing this gives you a subscription to Panorama magazine and will provide you an opportunity to connect with other Porsche enthusiasts who will be thrilled to bring you into their world.

Another good thing to do is take some driver’s education courses. No, we’re not talking about the same classes you took inside a bungalow at 15 years old, but courses that will teach you how to properly drive your new super car and truly appreciate the performance capabilities that the Porsche has to offer. Learning how to drive a high performance car will totally change the way you experience your new ownership. After you take your lessons, drive as much as possible. After all, you bought the car for a reason.

Upgrading is another great way to get more enjoyment out of your new found Porsche ownership. There are tons of expensive and inexpensive upgrades and modifications for Porsches on the market that can greatly enhance your driving experience. You can focus on upgrading the interior, exterior, performance or all of the above.  You should choose the upgrades and modifications that you will enjoy the most, not necessarily what is expected.