skip to content
Driving Line Mark Logo

5 Things That Prove the Canepa Shop Is Gearhead Paradise

As mentioned during our our coverage of Cars & Coffee meet at Canepa in Scott's Valley, California, the cars gathered outside in the parking lot are just the start of the fun. What really makes the events special is getting the chance to get a detailed look inside the gigantic shop that does everything from classic car sales and maintenance to ground up restorations and vintage race car preparation. It's a place you can visit dozens of times and see something different on each occasion — a true gearhead paradise.

Here are five things in particular that stuck out during last weekend's visit:

1. ALL the 959s

While Canepa handles all sorts of road and race vehicles, the company is especially known for its Porsche expertise. And when it comes to desirable Porsche models, few can touch the iconic 959.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 56

It was a car truly ahead of its time and today is considered one of the brand's most influential production models. With less than 350 examples produced in total it's also one of the rarest... but you wouldn't know that after visiting Canepa.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 67

Years ago Bruce Canepa was influential in converting the 959 to comply with U.S. emission laws, and ever since his facility has been known as America's 959 headquarters.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 120

On any given visit you are likely to see at least a few of them in the shop — sometimes being offered for sale in the showroom and sometimes in the shop for maintenance and restoration work.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 69

On this particular day, we counted no less than six different examples of the high tech, AWD super machine, including a couple that were disassembled for mechanical overhaul.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 72

For true Porsche geeks, just the opportunity to see so many of these legendary machines in one spot is reason enough to pay Canepa a visit.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 107

2. Cizeta-Moroder V16T

And if you thought the Porsche 959 was rare with its 345 examples, try this.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 77

There were less than 20 Cizeta V16Ts built — and this protoype is the very first one ever made.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 104

Designed as a collaboration between Claudio Zampoli and music producer Giorgio Moroder, with styling by the famed Marcello Gandini, the Cizeta remains one of the most unique supercars Italy has ever produced.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 78

The body has a similar shape to the Lamborghini Diablo, which it shared its designer with, but when you look into the engine compartment things get really wild. Yes, that's a V16 engine, with a block based on a pair of Lamborghini V8s. It's an impressive piece of engineering, and it made the car extremely powerful for its time — capable of hitting 100 kilometers per hour in just four seconds.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 76

Regular visitors to Canepa know they will get the chance to see some rare cars, but this Italian oddity truly takes things to a new level. Not surprisingly, there was a crowd around it all morning.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 106

3. The Monterey Crunch

There never seems to be a slow time inside the shop at Canepa, but things are even busier than usual right now with Monterey Car Week and the Rolex Motorsport Reunion just over one month away.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 134

Every bay at the shop was filled with something getting overhauled or freshened up before next month's festivities.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 2 2

Here's one of several Canepa-prepped Porsche 935s that will be taking to the track at Laguna Seca.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 132

And another 935 — this one originally raced by Paul Newman at Le Mans and recently purchased by comedian Adam Carolla, who plans to run it at the Historics this year. We can't wait to see it coming down the Corkscrew in all of its glory.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 117

It's not just the race cars either. Canepa-restored production cars also make regular appearances at events like the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and we expect to see many of these automobiles in Monterey next month.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 140

4. American Power!

While the giant facility is packed full of rare production and race cars from Germany, Italy, England and more, Canepa also has plenty of love for good ol' American machines.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 75

Walk around the shop, and you'll usually find a few vintage Trans Am racers undergoing work, like this Jerry Titus Pontiac Firebird that's no doubt being readied for Laguna Seca.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 123

The inventory also includes plenty of vintage stock cars, like this incredibly badass '69 Dodge Daytona originally raced by Buddy Baker.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 119

You'll even find the occasional quarter-mile machine, like Shelby's Super Snake front engine rail dragster — which is on display upstairs in the museum section of the building.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 92

Don't forget the road cars either. Whether it's a Corvette, Shelby Cobra, Mustang or one the many beautifully done hot rods that regularly pass through the shop.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 55

5. The Process

Seeing incredibly rare and historically important machines from the past is wonderful, but the special part about visiting Canepa's shop is seeing all of the work that goes into building, maintaining and restoring these vehicles from the ground up.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 1 2

From fabrication and engine building, to paint and interior, there is no area of a build that Canepa's shop can't handle.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 113

And during their monthly Cars & Coffee meets, it's all open for one to see.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 49

You may have seen a Can Am-spec Porsche 917 at a car show or vintage race event, but how often do you get to see one stripped of all its body work?

canepa cars and coffee 2017 127

It might not look like much, but this tube of metal actually belongs to a 1966 AAR Eagle Indy racer that's currently undergoing a full restoration at the hands of Canepa's talented technicians.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 1 3

This just scratches the surface of the magic we found inside the Canepa shop last weekend, so keep your eyes peeled for an extra bonus gallery of cool stuff coming up shortly.

canepa cars and coffee 2017 122

And if you ever have the chance to get out to one of Canepa's Cars & Coffee events yourself, we do not think you'll regret making the trip.

Like what you see? Take a look outside at Canepa's Cars & Coffee.

Return to beginning of article

Loading ...