Vince Haro Jr. has a labor of love involving muscle cars.
In particular, the 22-year-old Manteca native enjoys working on old Chevrolet vehicles.
“Most of my friends drive smaller cars or those that have been around for no longer than 10 years,” Haro said Wednesday while looking at his recently restored 1971 Nova Super Sport. “I come from a Chevy family.
“There are not too many guys my age working on muscle cars.”
He prefers vehicles that are 30 years and older.
Perhaps it’s in his blood.
Vince Jr. is a third generation Mantecan, with Jesse Haro, his grandfather, among those who “cruised” Yosemite Avenue back in the 1960s.
In the 1980s, Vince Jr. noted that his father drove his fair share of cars around town.
He recalled Vince Haro Sr. taking pride in his 1957 Chevy.
Vince Jr. had dreams of a 1970 Chevelle.
But when he was 18, the younger Haro, who works for Vince’s Hauling Service owned by his dad, saved up enough to purchase the Nova at a good price.
At the time, the vehicle was painted primer and not operational due a blown 350-block engine.
With some assistance from Vince Sr. and Jeff Burrows – his father’s friend – Vince Jr. was able to piece together the Nova. He installed a 454-block engine, worked on the transmission, added bucket seats along with a nice stereo, and got the car painted in a vibrant yellow thanks to another friend of the family.
As for parts, he was able to purchase some online. He found others at the pick-and-pull junk yards and swap meets.
“It was surprisingly easy to get parts (for the Nova),” Vince Jr. said.
He drives his soupped-up Nova around town and occasionally to Tracy or Modesto while getting his fair of compliments.
“People from age 8 to 80 are saying that I have a nice car,” he said.
Vince Jr. isn’t quite settled on his car. He still plans to purchase new tires and rims along with an air conditioning unit.
About 18 months ago he added a 1955 Chevy truck to his collection, with plans of getting the pickup on the road by the fall.
However, Vince Jr. has plenty of work ahead on the truck. No doubt he’s looking forward to the job.
“My father owned a truck like this one. I guess I can always turn to him for help,” Vince Jr. said.
In particular, the 22-year-old Manteca native enjoys working on old Chevrolet vehicles.
“Most of my friends drive smaller cars or those that have been around for no longer than 10 years,” Haro said Wednesday while looking at his recently restored 1971 Nova Super Sport. “I come from a Chevy family.
“There are not too many guys my age working on muscle cars.”
He prefers vehicles that are 30 years and older.
Perhaps it’s in his blood.
Vince Jr. is a third generation Mantecan, with Jesse Haro, his grandfather, among those who “cruised” Yosemite Avenue back in the 1960s.
In the 1980s, Vince Jr. noted that his father drove his fair share of cars around town.
He recalled Vince Haro Sr. taking pride in his 1957 Chevy.
Vince Jr. had dreams of a 1970 Chevelle.
But when he was 18, the younger Haro, who works for Vince’s Hauling Service owned by his dad, saved up enough to purchase the Nova at a good price.
At the time, the vehicle was painted primer and not operational due a blown 350-block engine.
With some assistance from Vince Sr. and Jeff Burrows – his father’s friend – Vince Jr. was able to piece together the Nova. He installed a 454-block engine, worked on the transmission, added bucket seats along with a nice stereo, and got the car painted in a vibrant yellow thanks to another friend of the family.
As for parts, he was able to purchase some online. He found others at the pick-and-pull junk yards and swap meets.
“It was surprisingly easy to get parts (for the Nova),” Vince Jr. said.
He drives his soupped-up Nova around town and occasionally to Tracy or Modesto while getting his fair of compliments.
“People from age 8 to 80 are saying that I have a nice car,” he said.
Vince Jr. isn’t quite settled on his car. He still plans to purchase new tires and rims along with an air conditioning unit.
About 18 months ago he added a 1955 Chevy truck to his collection, with plans of getting the pickup on the road by the fall.
However, Vince Jr. has plenty of work ahead on the truck. No doubt he’s looking forward to the job.
“My father owned a truck like this one. I guess I can always turn to him for help,” Vince Jr. said.
