The United States Senate recently passed Senate Resolution 513 at the request of SEMA and ARMO, designating Friday, July 9^th as Collector Car Appreciation Day. The day is meant to recognize “that the collection and restoration of historic and classic cars is an important part of preserving the technological achievements and cultural heritage of the United States.” [Source: AutoBlog]

It’s a great thing to appreciate those who have poured blood, sweat, hundreds of hours of research, and lots of hard-earned cash into a machine as amazing as the automobile. As a cultural phenomenon and an indication of our personal tastes and influences, collecting and restoring cars is an important link to our past and an honor to those who owned, loved and cared for these vehicles before us. Whether it’s an enthusiast pushing the limits of an unrestored Falcon’s motor, a Porschephile with a small fleet, or the men and women that restore and refurbish these vehicles because it affords them happiness, it’s wonderful to have a day that’s nationally recognized.

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Aficionauto was established in Santa Barbara, CA on April 20, 2004. During these first years, I have had the wonderful opportunities of working on amazing vehicles, with highline auto manufacturers and have developed relationships with innovative individuals, master technicians and craftsmen and historians of the culture.  I also have the best clients one could hope for- discerning, knowledgeable and enthusiastic automobile owners whom which I enjoy every visit.  I am sincerely grateful to each person who has contributed to my small success.   

Happy Motoring,

Andrew Evans

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For the past few months, the City of Santa Barbara’s Creeks Division has been developing a program to recognize Mobile Cleaners (including Auto Detailers) to publicly recognize businesses that voluntarily adopt environmentally friendly practices.

We are very pleased to announce that Aficionauto Detail passed it’s certification inspection today; allowing for public recognition of Sustainable and Water Efficient Practices though use of industry recognized Best Management Practices.

Aficionauto is among the first of a small contingency of local businesses to be aligned with this certification program.

Through the use of specialized and custom equipment to reclaim water runoff, alternative low-impact wash procedures to reduce consumption and products that contain extremely low levels of chlorides and other contaminants that could effect our water quality, we hope to provide an outstanding service with minimal impact on the environment.

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Wet weather is just around the corner. The Polymer Sealant applied by Aficionauto is durable enough to weather the storm well into the New Year.  Be confident that road grime and abrasive elements won’t stand a chance.

Please contact us today for your appointment.

Four days of auto bliss! I just returned from Carmel today after spending a long weekend working with Mercedes-Benz at their Star Lounge on the 3rd fairway.  We helped defend the display and drive fleet against rain-like fog (that never seemed to clear) and zealous auto admirers.  MB USA showed the 2009 AMG line-up and Classics Collection from their Orange County facility and offered drives in a few Maybach’s and McLaren SLR Roadsters.  

A particularly exciting moment was performing a bit of detail work to the SL65 Black Series and F700 Concept Vehicle which made their first appearances in North America. 

It is extremely difficult to explain the size, caliber and spanning passion exhibited during the weekend in Monterey.  The Annual Tour d’Elegance is a fantastic display of beautiful and irreplaceable vehicles, driving!  The sounds of each of the different motors throughout the history of the automobile is mesmerizing.  Concours Sunday was astonishing.  I was able to browse around for an hour and a half and only viewed half of the 18th fairway.  Russo and Steele’s Auction is a great way to see (and dream about) some very high caliber classic performance cars.

If you have interest in automobiles, design, art, horsepower, fine food and wine, or racing, one needs to attend.  Hopefully the photo’s do the long weekend some justice!

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Digital Paint Thickness Readings will now be included in paint polishing jobs where it is necessary to remove moderate swirls marks or minor abrasions. When removing such defects from the paint, it is very important to understand the amount of coating being removed. Thickness Readings are provided to ensure that the immediate appreciation of a finely polished surface isn’t degrading the future value of your investment.

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For some time, I have been cleansing vehicle interiors with natural, primarily plant-based products. This was received with a warm welcome by all but I strive to achieve even greater results. 

I am pleased to introduce a Vapor Steam inteiror cleaning process to minimize the usage of cleaning products (almost 80%) while safely eradicating all bacteria from any surface.  In combination with heated carpet extraction, this procedure will prove beneficial to all of you; most importantly, small children and those who suffer from asthma and allergy symptoms.

This vehicle, a BMW 135i, was struck squarely by a 4′x8′ piece of plywood that flew off the back of a truck while on a two lane highway.  Needless to say, skilled driving must have kept them from serious injury.

The process to remove the damage from the paint was somewhat aggressive as the only other option would have been costly bodywork.  Aside from a very slight crack in the bumper’s paint and an abrasion in the driver’s headlamp, the damage was not distinguishable.

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