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FAMOUS ‘STANG
Les Stuart stands with the Pit Viper, a 1967 Ford Mustang that he rebuilt and modified from the ground up.
Morgan Hill car builder shares love of Mustangs with the world
BY ERIK CHALHOUB
Les Stuart has no shortage of stories from customers that come through his Morgan Hill shop.
There is the almond farmer in Madera, who wants to drive his dream car before he dies.
Another man from Kentucky, who purchased a 1969 Mustang Boss 429 when it was new but had to sell it to put himself through college, wants that car back. But he wants one with all the modern technology and safety features.
Stuart is the owner of Big Daddy’s Motor Cars, which specializes in building and modifying Ford Mustangs from the 1964-1970 era.
The company’s motto, “When design meets desire,” is what fuels Stuart and his crew of three.
“I can’t express enough how satisfying and how thrilling it is for me to not only do what I love, but to help some of these guys fulfill their dreams,” he said.
Learning to wrench
Stuart, who was born in Brooklyn after his parents immigrated from Trinidad, first learned to wrench at the age of 14.
A close family friend had a 1959 MGA in need of a restoration, and he planned to give the vehicle to his daughter. After a year of work, Stuart helped the family get the car up and running.
That experience gave him the wrenching bug, and at 15, Stuart’s father gifted him his own MGA to fix.
“He figured it would keep me occupied because I was tearing everything apart and putting things back together,” he said.
It did, but not for long.
“In eight months I got the car running,” Stuart recalled.
The problem was, Stuart couldn’t legally drive, so he sold the vehicle and turned his first profit.
Then he bought his first Mustang. He later purchased a 1969 Mach 1 by saving up enough money from his $3.50 an hour salary.
He was well-known in the local street racing scene, calling himself “untouchable” in his domain that stretched from Saratoga to San Jose and Fremont. ➝ 14
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and he had a vision. In 2009 during a housewarming “The Mustang is party celebrating Stuart and his a beautiful piece of family’s move to Morgan Hill, a friend canvas,” he said. “You brought a sign for Stuart to hang can leave it alone and on the shop located on the property. it has got lines, really It read, “Big Daddy’s Motor Cars,” good lines. You can referencing Stuart’s military handle modify it and bring and the cars he was working on. out those lines.” The business incorporated in After five years of 2018, and for the first year, its work, the affectionately offerings were limited, Stuart said, named “Pit Viper” only building customers a Pit Viper. was complete, a It eventually expanded to include HIGH DEMAND Damon Freeman works on one of the many Mustangs being built at Big Daddy’s Motor Cars. completely customized Mustang with countless performance builds of 1964-1970 Mustangs, and Stuart said he underestimated the demand once word of the upgrades and business began spreading. The Mach 1, however, was 12 outfitted with modern technological In 2019, Stuart was invited to stolen, which devastated Stuart. touches, from tire to roof. an event in Saudi Arabia, where “It really took the wind The car is a head-turner, from the the government there selected out of me,” he said. trips to the gas station to the local car 450 cars from the United States to After serving in the military like shows and even international meet- participate in a show. There with his his father, Stuart pursued his passion ups, earning numerous awards. Pit Viper, Stuart said he got to meet for high tech in college, and was It was made to be driven and car builders that he idolizes, many of recruited by Hewlett Packard. After a enjoyed, Stuart said, adding that whom have their own TV shows. nearly 30-year career across various he doesn’t like “trailer queens” and “It was an incredible tech companies, Stuart retired in bucks the trend of most car owners by experience,” he said. January 2020 as a vice president of product management at HP. All throughout his career, he was always working on a car. allowing car show attendees to sit inside. The immense interest the Pit Viper received at shows was not lost on Stuart’s friend Vic Cozart, who helped him show the car to the public. The pandemic over the last year has also provided a surprising boost to business, Stuart noted, with many classic car owners having finished with the home improvement “At car shows, I’m dealing projects and the “honey-do” lists. The Pit Viper with crowds,” Stuart said. “It “Now they are turning their After restoring two Triumphs and six MGs (one of which he still owns and shows at car events, including the Taste of Morgan Hill), Stuart takes two of us to show the car. He (Cozart) started to get it.” Big Daddy’s Motor attention to the car sitting in the garage for the last 17 years, or they got the green light from their wives to pursue their dream,” he said. With his business growing in turned his attention back to Mustangs, Cars incorporates popularity, Stuart stays humble.the first American car that he owned and could legally drive. Looking for his next build, Stuart came across a shell of a 1967 Mustang at the side of a shop in Sacramento. It had been in a fire, but was rust-free and intact. Stuart said he took one look at it One day in 2017 while in a jacuzzi, Stuart and Cozart began kicking around the idea of starting a business centered around building and customizing Mustangs. They already had the name. “I’m just a guy that loves building cars, and I’m always looking for the next project,” he said. “Now I’m able to help some other people along the way.”
For information, visit bigdaddysmotorcars.com.
WINERIES ADAPT Martin Ranch is open for curbside pickup.
Wineries hanging on
Curbside pickup, virtual cooking sessions are some of the offerings
BY LAURA NESS
Forced to do pickup only beginning in early December, our local wineries have sure been whiplashed by the pandemic. But it doesn’t stop them from pressing on. While the winegrower’s association has taken a temporary pause, the wineries are doing what they can to keep their customers well sated.
Calerrain Wines has been offering “Heat & Eat” meals, created by local chef, Marjorie Morelos-Galvan, of California Inspirations Catering, available via Tock for purchase, complete with wine pairings. Morelos-Galvan lives in Gilroy and worked at The Grove in Hollister and CordeValle. A recent meal to go that she prepared for Calerrain featured Asian sticky ribs and citrusy Brussels sprouts slaw, paired with the 2018 Calerrain Malbec, a favorite among the winery’s many fans.
Winemaker Geoff Mace says he’s made some progress, but has had to back off on plans for the many outside enhancements he was planning, including an outdoor kitchen, as it’s hard to fund with the current shutdown.
“Made some good progress but slowing down a bit on the kitchen,” he said. “Not being open on the weekend has been tough.” ➝ 18
Martin Ranch is open for curbside pickup at the winery Tuesday through Friday, every week from 10am to 3pm, and on Saturday-Sunday, the first and third weekends of each month. Wine Club Manager Michele Swenson reports that she really enjoyed the Thérèse Vineyards 2017 Mourvèdre with turkey breast with herb stuffing and cranberries, and the Thérèse Vineyards 2016 Dos Ninas Syrah with a hearty vegetable soup, which sounds like the perfect pairing suggested by winemaker Thérèse Martin herself.
Martin says her current favorite wines for winter are from the Soulmate Series, which she and husband, Dan, craft together. They each have their own separate brands as well. She points to the Soulmate 2014 Syrah and the 2012 Soulmate Nebbiolo, as her two favorites at the moment. Any of the Soulmate wines would be thoughtful Valentine gifts for your favorite someone.
MOHI continues to offer popup wine shops, and a variety of takeout dinners, including fiesta bowls, pizzas and freshly made tacos, to go. For $49.95, for example, you get two taco plates that include three tacos each plus four margaritas or a bottle of wine. Get on their mailing list to stay up to date.
Sarah’s Vineyard has you covered if you’re craving Pinot Noir in all its wide-ranging glory. Their 2018 Tondré Grapefields and their 2018 Muns Vineyard Pinot Noir vineyard designates are both highly recommended. There is something consistently impressive about the Tondré Grapefields vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands: no matter who makes wine from it, a core of dense, earthy power shows through. This 2018 Sarah’s Vineyard Tondré is ample and wonderfully lush with spicy plum, clove, dark chocolate and Raisinets (remember those?), yet the acid never hangs up its spurs. The 2018 Sarah’s Vineyard 2018 Muns Pinot is one of the best examples of wines from this vineyard, located high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, that I’ve yet tasted. Classy stuff, with bright floral notes—think rose petals and sandalwood— and spice-driven cherry and raspberry on the palate. The mountain acid is fantastic.
For Valentine’s Day, you might want to indulge in Sarah’s Sparkling Rosé, Grenache Rosé, and one of these excellent aforementioned Pinot Noirs.
Aver Family continues to offer their Saturday Supper Club cooking sessions, led by the talented and entertaining chefs from Truffle Shuffle. Another great gift idea for Valentine’s Day.
Support your local wineries, along with your local restaurants, as best you can. We’ll get through this together. ² VINEYARD ESTATES A pool is one of the many amenities of this Hollister home.
Countryside oasis in Hollister
Home features vineyard, pool, horse stables and more
This Hollister home described as a retreat sits on five-anda-half acres.
Located at 6445 Vineyard Estates Drive, the 3,668-square-foot home includes three bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Inside, the home is outfitted with Brazilian cherry wood floors and vaulted ceilings. The kitchen features granite counters, stainless steel appliances, extensive cabinetry and an island with bar seating.
The main bedroom includes a spa-like bath, dual sink vanity, walk-in closet and fireplace. Each bedroom has its own private balcony.
Outside, there is a two-and-a-half-acre working Cabernet vineyard and horse stables. The backyard features a pool, patio, garden and more.
The home, built in 1989, is powered by an owned solar system and pre-wired for two ADUs.
It is listed at $1,399,000 by Real Estate Experts. For information, visit tinyurl.com/yyrqn32z.
