Muscle cars, though still popular, are not what they were when I was a teen in the early 1970's. That is when I first began racing them. I was only 15 and was behind the wheel of a monster Ford Torino four speed 8 cylinder with Headman headers and dual exhaust. Gas was cheaper than candy. I was hell on wheels, so I thought.
On Sundays, I would head outside my hometown of Hattiesburg, Ms and race that Torino down the quarter-mile track at Hub City Raceway. I'll never forget their radio ads with the announcer yelling "Sunday, Sunday, Sundayyyyyyyyyyyy!". The announcer made it so exciting, even non-car-fanatics came out to see what it was all about.It was just plain loud with way too much beer. The question always arose among fellow racers, "Who was the best mechanic in town".
Since that time, I sold or wrecked and/or rebuilt about seven other race cars, probably my fastest being white Pontiac Tras-Am with a 454 cubic inch engine in it. It was the second year they came out and Pontiac only made them in that color. My shelf was aligned with trophies, thanks to the Pontiac/Chrysler Motor Company and my quick reflexes at reading rpm's and shifting.
Many years have passed since my days of youth, yet I still seek out the best mechanic. I now live in Los Angeles, and I accidentally stumbled across him, merely by accident. Not only was he the best but the most honest. I drove 3000 miles in this economy car with no problems and the moment I entered L.
A. County, all hell broke loose. When the clutch goes out on a four speed, you know why cell phones were invented, and you hope and pray you are not on or crossing a major street. AAA was there within ten minutes and towed it to a man of whom I'd never heard, named Vladimir Morsach, a Russian Immigrant who had learned American cars while here. He was recommended by a mutual friend.
He knew exactly what the problem was and quoted me $200 cheaper than the mechanic on the other side of town, in a far away part of the San Fernando Valley, Woodland Hills. To my surprise, a call came from Vladimir the very next day and he said, "You may pick up your car. It's fine." So off to Vlad's I went with a friend.
I still had my out of state checks as I'd just moved from Arkansas, and since there had been some unauthorized charges on my Mastercard, I had canceled it and could not use it. He had to take my word that the check was good. Vlad was trusting and compassionate. He took my check. I was astounded.
This was not the usual modus operandi of Business L.A. So ironically, the best mechanic, at least my choice, in America, is not even a native-born American.
But don't let that fool you. He fixed it as professionally and courteously as anyone with which you could hope to deal. Vlad added, "If there was anything else wrong with the car, he would let me know before fixing it.
I thought "Uh oh.what is coming next", based on my experience with so many mechanics with which I'd worked in the past. He called me again to let me know it was only the clutch.
Now that is honesty, and certainly worth driving a few miles (or in my case having it towed, to get it fixed better, cheaper, and from a very nice person, Vladimir Morsach). Vlad is a super-asset to any southern Californian, since we all basically live in our cars anyway. He is the man to see if something goes wrong. You will agree, I believe, if you give this master mechanic a try. Vladimir's garage is at 18440 Vanowen Ave, Reseda, Ca in the Valley.
His phone is 818-719-8610. He's great to talk to also. Sounds like I'm his p.r.
agent, I'm not. I simply am a very happy customer and glad to know he is so nearby. Since that time I've talked to others who have had similar experiences with this engine-magician.
I have a feeling you will too. Keep in mind, I am picky about my engine. I raced cars. I want someone who knows his stuff, and I can smell one who doesn't. Vlad knows it better than anyone, regardless of the make.
I discovered something interesting about Vlad while writing this article, from a mutual friend who uses him for all her vehicles and has for years. he is a mechanical engineer, went to the one of the best University's in Russia and had many years of experience working with cars (European or American.). For me, Vlad's English is very easy to understand and he understood me perfectly; and, I do not speak Russian.
But he believes he can't learn English and states that he'd better do what he knows best and it is repairing cars, remodeling, and more. For him, it is NOT just about cars, it is about his passion, but mostly: his honesty and integrity. He guarantees his work for one year and if your car is NOT working properly and has same problem he will repair it for free.
The Internet's top cartoonist and Intenet entrepreneur and former race car driver Rick London highly recommends Vladimir Morsach for any auto repair in Los Angeles. Click here to see the huge variety of Rick London's cartoons
