By Kate Quesada
Are you having a difficult time shopping for the hard to buy for person on your holiday list? Brandon resident Kevin Champ suggests you think about a custom Jeep or truck.
Champ, general manager of Bayshore Automotive on E. Adamo Dr., has many satisfied customers all over the country who have purchased custom vehicles as surprises for family members for the holidays or birthdays and anniversaries.
“Our products are specialized,” said Champ. “If you’re looking for something no one else has, you’ve come to the right place.”
Under owner FishHawk resident Darren Vivolo, Bayshore Automotive, opened in 2000 specializing in high-end, difficult to find European vehicles, and began offering customized Jeeps and trucks out of a 20,000 sq. ft. warehouse about five years ago. Technicians at Bayshore Automotive take basic vehicles, usually Jeep Wranglers, and fix up the exteriors and interiors with a variety of packages, most commonly including paint jobs or vehicle wraps, wheels, tires, hood upgrades, lights and lifts.
“Our vehicles are like custom built homes on wheels,” said Champ. “Many of our customers want to have something to show off their personality and there are so many ways we can do that.”
In addition to customizing the outside of the vehicle, Bayshore Automotive can also upgrade the inside with electronics including cameras and navigation systems and personal color combinations including leather and upholstery. Turbo charges can also be added to increase horsepower.
Customers can supply the technicians with their own previously purchased vehicle or can chose from one of the approximately 50 vehicles at various stages of customization in the warehouse. In addition to Jeeps, Toyota Tundras and GMC four-wheel-drive vehicles are also popular choices for customization.
In addition to local business, Bayshore has customers around the country. “One of our recent buyers owns a jewelry store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills,” said Champ.
Bayshore Automotive is located at 2801 E. Adamo Dr. and can be reached at 241-4000. Visit www.bayshoreautomotive.com.
