This is always a busy time of year for everyone, and it’s no exception for our team at Finish Line Auto Club. We have a great line-up of member events between now and the end of the year, including the Singer Factory tour, our popular Speaker Series featuring Justin Gurney, The 4th annual Toy Drive and Cars & Coffee benefiting Children’s Hospital O.C. and our 6th Annual Holiday party feature a special music presentation. Plans are also coming together for another member track day in early 2025. We are also in full swing and in growth mode with the expansion of Finish Line Auto Club projects. Calabasas is at the final stretch with a target completion in April 2025 and pre-sales are underway. The second phase of construction in Costa Mesa is also moving quickly and has a target completion of May 2025. We opened up pre-sales in October and are 50% sold. Westlake Village has some exciting plans to add over 36,000 square feet of new garages and a 7,000 sf clubhouse, which is estimated to come online in 2026. Palm Desert is in the design stage and is still a couple of years out. We are actively planning to continue our expansion of new Finish Line Auto Club facilities throughout Southern California, as well as out of state. As part of this expansion, we have exciting plans to announce that Finish Line Auto Club will be coming to Scottsdale, Arizona. We are actively in the entitlement stage for a special project near the Scottsdale Airport. Look for more details to come. We hope you have a happy and safe holiday season and come visit us soon!
MESSAGE FROM RICK PRINCIPE
Co-Founder Co-Founder
17 YEARS AND GROWING!
It is hard to believe that the Finish Line Auto Club concept started in 2007 at a breakfast with my son. I had been a car collector for many years and sharing my passion with my car friends. The common request was “Please find us a building or location where we can store our collector cars”. From these conversations and requests we realized that this was a common problem with most car guys wanting to start or expand their collecting. We also found out that they wanted the security and investment potential that ownership gave them. Our first project was in Newbury Park, California. We purchased a 40,000 square foot development and sub-divided into 40 condominium garages. Before the project was completed we were 100% sold out. We quickly secured another location in Westlake Village, California containing over 80,000 square feet, and this time added an owner’s clubhouse and patio, and again quickly sold all the units. We realized that the owners also wanted a place to not only show their collection, but to be able to socialize with other collectors and participate in many events as well. Since that date we have added new locations such as Costa Mesa and Calabasas, with additional locations in Palm Desert, and Scottsdale in the works. Each Finish Line Auto Club now creates more amenities and events for the owners to enjoy. Finish Line Auto Club is recognized world wide as the premier car collector facility. The demand has been very strong with many cities inviting us to bring a Finish Line Auto Club to their area.
MESSAGE FROM KENNETH SANTOS
General Manager
Finish Line Auto Club offers exclusive clubhouse access for owners, making it an ideal venue for private celebrations like birthdays, corporate events, car rallies, and more. With a new clubhouse coming to Westlake Village and a rooftop lounge in Costa Mesa, it’s a perfect time to start planning. Throughout the year, owners enjoy invites to specialty events, including the popular Saturday morning Cars & Coffee in Orange County and the annual Porsche event in Westlake Village, showcasing iconic models. Don‘t miss our Cocktail Nights at Costa Mesa’s rooftop lounge for drinks, entertainment, and a chance to connect with fellow owners!
FEATURED GARAGE
Why Finish Line and What Inspired the Look?
At home I have always had a garage that showcased one of my cars in a special way. My wife would say we have a showroom, not a garage. To accommodate a growing collection, I bought a warehouse a few years ago thinking its a real estate play and it will house what I have. This ultimately wasn’t the answer as I started to grow frustrated with having a commercial warehouse surrounded by a pest control business, hair salon, wood worker and garage sale minded businesses around my unit. I was never inspired to go and hang out, it was always in and quickly out. After one of the those in and out scenarios, I returned home with my newest car in rotation back at my home. My next door neighbor happened to be outside and after the normal hello, he showed me a copy of the OC Business Journal that showcased a new concept that my neighbor thought “look at this concept! You have to be crazy and stupid to pay that much money for a garage”. I didn’t have the heart to tell him, I thought it was awesome, fantastic, and a no brainer. The next morning I called and spoke with Tony and Rick. A few days later I was one of those “crazy and stupid guys” and have never been happier, it’s been over 3 years as a Finish Line Owner.
I had an immediate vision once the garage door opened up to the unit I chose. I wanted a clean, museum like feel where the cars would be the stars, the main attraction, and the art work. I wanted to have details pop out, but not overtake your senses and divert away from the cars. The 2 single post lifts were custom made to provide extra space but also allow the cars to be elevated and seen from different perspectives. No matter if you are on the ground floor or upstairs, the cars draw your interest and then spark your rationale. I usually hear…how did they get up and down from there?…..That’s the number one
Written by Mario Biundo
question I get. I used frosted glass to help hide and attempt to draw your eyes away from the private bathroom and storage. The glass helped tie in the garage door that is frosted and gridded with black trim – I carried that into the unit so there was symmetry and reason for having it. Polished concrete for the garage is simple and effective, Wood stair treads show the way to a softer setting upstairs where the feeling is different.
For upstairs, I was inspired by what is represented already in the club house. Both upstairs and downstairs were done incredibly well. I wanted to have a light element of that when I designed upstairs, so I chose some of those color tones but then focused on showcasing collectibles that were important to me from my years in the automotive and racing business. The custom display cases showcase many of the cars I have either previously owned, raced, or currently own. The other memorabilia that surrounds the lounge and seating area calms me and sparks my “why” I do the things I do with my wife and kids. I live enthusiastically and constantly think…..the condo calms me and invigorates me all at the same time. Interestingly, I am reminded that the cars in the garage are really no different than my hot wheels or matchbox cars when I was a child. Nor are they any different than the posters on my walls that surrounded my childhood and teenage bedroom during that time. Sure, they are now the real thing, I own them, and can drive them, but I seriously enjoy just staring at them. I guess you can say the car condo is a piece of my former, but modern and more expensive childhood bedroom. A dream come true and ongoing.
2024 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
WESTLAKE VILLAGE PORSCHE EVENT
The 6th annual Porsche Event was hosted at Finish Line Auto Club – Westlake Village on June 2nd. Guests enjoyed great food, live music, and special garages. One of the highlights of the day was a special 1974 Carrera display featuring very rare Porsches that were being honored on their important 50th Anniversary. The event sponsor, Rusnak Automotive Group, treated owners to a delicious lunch and thanks to our coffee sponsor, Bumper to Bumper, Carmen’s Coffee served their specialty coffee drinks and snacks. Finish Line Garage owners were gracious to open the incredible private garages and collections, which is always a special treat.
WILLOW SPRINGS TRACK DAY
Finish Line Auto Club and Porsche of Woodland Hills held their first owners track day at Willow Springs International Raceway in March. 35 owners and guests enjoyed a sunny day of fast cars and great food. Participants showcased impressive vehicles, including various Porsche race cars, a Lamborghini Diablo GT, classic Formula One cars, Ferraris, a BMW, and a McLaren. Legendary race driver Patrick Long shared valuable track insights. Thanks to Porsche of Woodland Hills for their generous support and friendly staff!
DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMEN‘S RIDE
This past may over 400 riders converged on Finish Line Auto Club Costa Mesa to raise awareness and money for men’s health. The event featured hundreds of classic and custom motorcycles and the riders wore vintage clothing for this one day event celebrated around the world. The morning started off with a great show, coffee and food and then the group left for an hour tour around Orange County’s most beautiful roads, and then ended back at Finish Line for lunch and live music.
2024 CARS & COFFEE
This year we have had a fantastic turnout to our monthly Cars & Coffee events co-sponsored by Newport Automotive Group. We have had impressive turnouts to our themed events, including classic Porsches and Ferraris, classics and hot rods. Due to the construction of phase 2, we have decided to postpone our regularly scheduled events until the construction is complete. We will still be hosting some specialty events, so look for details to come!
AT A GLANCE
UPCOMING OWNER EVENTS
SINGER FACTORY TOUR
Finish Line Owners are invited to a private tour and luncheon at the Singer factory, where they transform Porsches into rolling works of art. Check the Finish Line Owners app for details.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE OWNERS DRIVE
We have planned another fun owners drive through the mountains and winding roads of Malibu, to a special beachside destination for lunch. Check the Finish Line Owners app for details.
SHOP FINISH LINE
We are proud to offer a wide variety of Finish Line Auto Club branded hats in various styles and colors.
These attractive hats have adjustable snapbacks are made of top quality materials. We also offer our signature coffee cup, which is a great way to kick off your mornings. With any purchase receive a free Finish Line Auto Club license plate frame.
BLACK HAT
WHITE HAT
COFFEE CUP
LOCATION UPDATES COSTA MESA
WESTLAKE VILLAGE
Sales
Currently there are no units available at this time. Once we begin construction next year we will begin offering units in phase 3 for purchase. Stay tuned!
Design
Expansion plans for the third and final phase at Finish Line Auto Club Westlake Village are well underway. The newest expansion will include 36,000 square feet of garages and a stunning 5,000 square foot clubhouse, with 2,000 square feet of outdoor patio space. We expect to break ground in mid 2025 and completion approximately 12 months later.
If you have any questions, please call Tony Principe or Rick Principe at (805) 497-4557.
Sales
Unit sales have begun this month and we are already 50% pre-sold. If you would like to receive our marketing brochure for the remaining units in this last phase at this project, or would like to schedule a tour, please contact us.
Construction
We began construction in June of this year on the second phase of this much anticipated development, that features 9 garages and a special rooftop patio/ lounge overlooking the airport. Construction is moving ahead of schedule and as of late October we have completed all of the exterior walls, installed the roofs on both buildings, all sewer lines and electrical infrastructure is in and were ready to begin the installation of steel for the mezzanines and stairs.
We are targeting a May 15, 2025 completion date.
ESTIMATED COMPLETION
DATE OF APRIL 2025
CALABASAS
Sales
We’re excited to announce that we began pre sales of this long awaited project this month and we came out of the gate strong with over 50% pre-sold in the first two weeks. The project is estimated to be complete March 1, 2025.
Construction
Construction is moving briskly now and the project is finally at the stage where it’s beginning to get some personality. We have been able to complete the roof and mechanical platforms, ventilation and fire sprinkler systems as well as window frames. The upper parking lot has been installed and we’re moving our way down to the southern parking lot. We are hopeful that with this phase of work complete we should be past any real concerns for rain that may come in the next few weeks. Next phase is the clubhouse and the interior garage finishes.
If you would like information on this exciting project or to set up a tour, please call Tony Principe or Rick Principe at (805) 497-4557.
PALM DESERT
Sales
Currently there are no units available at this time. Once we finalize our plans and obtain all necessary approvals we will provide a schedule for construction and timing to begin offering units for purchase.
Design
We are in the design process at this time. As soon as we finalize our plans we will share them with you.
If you have any questions, please call Tony Principe or Rick Principe at (805) 497-4557.
FINISH LINE ON THE MOVE
We are actively pursuing new sites in various locations throughout Southern California, Arizona and Nevada, and have some exciting deals in the works. Please keep us in mind if you are aware of any good opportunities we should consider. Contact us to learn more about our site requirements.
GARAGE RESALES
Resale activity has continued to be strong at both Finish Line properties. So far this year there have been 4 resales at both facilities and prices have continued to appreciate. The average time on the market has been less than 30 days.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
We are grateful for the sponsors that continuously support our numerous events at the Finish Line Auto Club facilities. We would like to acknowledge The Newport Automotive Group for being our major sponsor for Cars & Coffee in Costa Mesa in 2024, Rusnak Porsche for being our major sponsor of the 6th Annual Porsche Event in Westlake Village, and Porsche of Woodland Hills for hosting our Finish Line Owners Track Day at Willow Springs International Raceway. If you or your company are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tony Principe for more details. Currently we have
