About Us
Since 1909 when the Indianapolis Speedway was constructed and the first race took place, Indianapolis has become an icon in the world of motorsports and its name forever tied to cars. Like Maranello in Italy, Indianapolis is worldwide recognized for its passion, devotion, and reverence for engines. It is for this reason we selected Indianapolis to establish Indy Classics Garage.
Indy Classics Garage is not your typical car repair shop. We are a small volume, high quality establishment dedicated to restore, repair, and maintain pre 1980s cars with the outmost craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Regardless of how rare, expensive, or functional a car may be, we believe them to be part of the family. We see our cars as loved and cherished parts of each family’s history. Memories, stories, and irreplaceable moments are part of each car, and we are committed to keep it being part of the family to, hopefully, pass them from generation to generation.
Whether your car is a show-winner that needs to be ready for the next function or the old car grandpa took you for ice cream, we can keep them running.
At Indy Classics Garage we have more than 40 years of mechanical experience. We have built show winners from the ground up, and we tune up carburetors to get your old ride back on the road. From frame-off restorations to oil changes and tune ups, if your car was born before 1980, Indy Classics Garage is the best care you can provide for it.
Our Team
Nick
Owner
Nick started working on his uncle’s bike shop when he was 12 years old. Repairing motorcycles, scooters, and the old Honda 3 wheelers they would rent to tourists beachside. Starting to drive these Honda ancestor of the current four-wheelers at the age of 3, his duties in the shop went from cleaning tools and picking up to repairing, rebuilding, and managing his own shop at the age of 15.
Nick put himself though his studies working on engines and rebuilding bikes from high school all the way to veterinary school. He build his first car (which he got from a junkyard) during the last couple of years of high school. Rebuilt the entire engine by hand. No money for engine shop. Took him two years to complete this (pretty dreadful, but much loved 1974 Fiat 128) project. Once done, did not even got to drive it! He had to sell it to start college and, then vet school.
Nick’s passion for cars and engines has had him always tied to working on them. Now Dr Vecchio, who’s been a well known and busy Small Animal Surgeon for over 20 years and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons still designs, works on and personally paints every car coming to the shop. Nick takes great pride in applying surgical precision to all his projects and has built and painted show winners over the years.
Tomás
Restoration
Tomas grew up in the family farm working and helping his dad, Nick and Kevin build and restore cars for their personal collection. Tomas has a keen interest and a knack for engineering and an amazing eye and hand for detailed body work. Tomas started driving tractors and he learned to drive cars on a 1974 Corvette with a manual transmission!
He works on the shop after school and continues with his early boyhood passion of playing soccer for both Roncalli HS and ECNL for Indy Pride.
Emiko
Purchasing & Accounting
Emiko has been an athlete since she could walk. She competed in gymnastics at the highest level most of her life. She started working on cars and driving tractors and mowers at 3 years of age. Her artistic skills are always a huge asset at the shop. Delicate painting, pin stripping, coloring and designing are her superpower. She helps in the administrative side of the shop and does most of the research on finding and purchasing rare parts. Emiko attends St Jude and is planning on attending Roncalli HS.
Dawn
Office manager
Dawn got her passion for classic cars from her father Ben and her uncle Troy. Both Chevy guys, Ben bought new and still has a 71’ Chevelle. Troy loved first and second generation Camaros. Dawn’s first car was a 73’ Camaro she drove to school. She runs the shop and keeps everyone on schedule. Currently she has a red convertible old Mercedes Benz that she drives on weekends and nice days.