Sorry about the double post. Looked the first one didn't go through, so I rewrote it. Sad news. I was searching to see if Vinko was still around. Hoped to get a number and give him a call. Anyway, I remembered his last name and searched. Vinko passed away just a few weeks ago. VINKO PEHAR Obituary: View VINKO PEHAR's Obituary by Toronto Star
We will all reach this step someday. We only need to keep good memories of the ones that leave and hope others will remember us when times come. This is what makes history.
I've heard crazy stories from directly from other big players in the business about Vinko. These now players were just kids going to Vinko to learn the ropes at the time. I've been trying to get a hold of an old photo of his dealership from back in the day. His outside lot had lots of great cars parked outside. This pic showed a Miura that was up in the front-line and retail ready!!!
Searching "Miura" bring out some funny threads, this must be the photo. Image Unavailable, Please Login
YES!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!! You'd think I'd have googled it too! It's ONLY the first pic on Google when I did a search just now lol Wonder where that Miura is now...
Been busy with other things. Decided to check the forum today. I wonder if Vinko's son is still in the car business. Believe his name was John. He worked at Gentry Lane in 97/8 time frame. Looked at a Testarossa at Gentry Lane with John as the salesmen. It was still the authorized Lamborghini dealer then. Brother bought a 928GTS instead.
I had the pleasure to work with his son John in the 80's at jaguar on Bay. John was a great guy and was always talking about the old man.He had some great stories. Great times with a great bunch of characters..and they were characters. Rest in peace old man.
You know what else is amazing about this photo?!? The fact that there's actually luggage on a luggage rack! Image Unavailable, Please Login
As I grew up with my late father being in the used car business, Avellino Used Cars a small lot more of a fun hobby business of my dads he would do alot of dealing with Papa Vinko he would call him. A Canadian Legend of the car market. I always meant to pop by the old showroom and didn't realize he would have still been there. He was a bit slippery but my dad was Napolitano and knew how to deal with him. Hail to the good ole days where they had such crazy cars just sitting outdoors on lots and no worries about them sitting there. Sad to hear he is no longer with us but i'm sure he lead a long fullfilled life at over 90.
a couple photos i took of Papa Vinko in 2009 Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Not to hijack or disrupt this thread, but does anyone remember a small Lambo dealership near the junction in Toronto (on st, Clair, between Runnymede and Jane St) in the 1980s? I think it was called “Lenys “. Couldn’t find anything on it on google. I just remember walking past it frequently as a young teen and ogling the Countach in the showroom window, and dreaming of the future, the showroom was small...likely only 2-3 cars in it.
Sure do! I used to service my car there, my Fiat X1/9 . The building is still there, but it's now the New Hope Tabernacle church. The showroom typically held one car, in the forward glass part of the building. The service & parts entrance was were the double doors are now - and the garage door is still there on the right! Leny was a good guy, and I certainly remember seeing many awesome cars in that place. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks for the picture ! I wouldn’t even recognize it if I drove by today. RIP Lenny , left too early ....
