How It All Started
Look, I'm not gonna feed you some corporate BS about how we're "passionate about excellence" or whatever. Truth is, this whole thing started in my dad's cramped garage back in 2008 when I was supposed to be studying for my engineering finals but couldn't stop tinkering with a busted '89 Supra that nobody wanted.
That car became my obsession. Spent six months rebuilding the 2JZ from the ground up, learning everything the hard way - blown gaskets, stripped threads, you name it. When that beast finally roared to life at 2 AM on a Tuesday, I knew I was done with office jobs forever.
Started doing side jobs for friends, then friends of friends. Word got around that there was this guy who'd actually take the time to do things right instead of just swapping parts and hoping for the best. By 2012, I'd saved enough to lease this run-down unit on Industrial Way. It wasn't much - still had the previous tenant's grease stains on the walls.
What really changed everything was when Marcus Chen brought in his McLaren F1 in 2015. Most shops wouldn't touch it - too rare, too expensive, too much liability. I spent three weeks just researching before even opening the hood. That restoration put us on the map with the serious collectors.
These days, we've got a team of eight guys who are just as crazy about this stuff as I am. We've worked on everything from vintage Ferraris to modern hypercars, built race engines that've actually won championships, and yeah, we've had our share of all-nighters when a client needs their car ready for a show.
We're not the cheapest shop in Vancouver, never will be. But if you want someone who's gonna treat your ride like it's their own and actually knows what they're doing under that hood? That's what we do here.
"Every car that rolls into this shop has a story. Our job is making sure that story continues for another generation."
- Alex Vander, Founder & Lead Technician
The Journey So Far
The Beginning
First engine rebuild in a residential garage. Neighbors weren't thrilled about the noise, but that Supra sounded perfect.
Opening Day
Officially opened Ignivar Xenforge at 1847 Industrial Way. Two bay shop, one lift, and a whole lot of ambition.
ASE Master Certification
Got the team certified. Turns out having official credentials actually matters when you're working on quarter-million dollar cars.
Certifications Acquired:
- ASE Master Technician Status
- Advanced Engine Performance Specialist
- Automotive Electrical Systems
McLaren F1 Restoration
The project that changed everything. Full restoration of a '95 McLaren F1. Took 8 months and every ounce of skill we had.
Expansion & Dyno Installation
Expanded to 4 bays and installed our Dynojet 424xLC2. Now we could actually prove the numbers we were claiming.
First Championship Win
Built and prepped a GT3-spec Porsche that took 1st place at Mission Raceway. That trophy sits in our lobby to this day.
Competition Record:
- 3x Track Day Championships
- 12+ podium finishes
- Official track support partner
Exotic Specialist Certification
Became certified to work on Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Pagani vehicles. Factory training isn't cheap, but it's worth it.
Climate Controlled Paint Booth
Added a state-of-the-art paint booth. Vancouver's humidity used to be a nightmare for finishes, not anymore.
Today & Tomorrow
8 full-time techs, over 200 builds completed, and still learning something new with every project that comes through the door.
Current Stats:
200+
Builds Completed
13+
Years Experience
8
Expert Techs
4
Service Bays
