Andy Arias’ passionate car collection

Junior Andy Arias has taken auto for two years now. With help from this class and his dad, Arias is now working on a project at home: a ground-up build of a Datsun 620 truck. 

“My Datsun was built in Japan in 1973 and shipped to the U.S.,” explained Arias. “The engine is from a 240sx or s13 from Japan and I’ve been working on it for two years now. I’m currently driving a mint condition 1990 Ford Thunderbird.”

“I bought my truck two years ago, as soon as I got it we tore everything off and stripped the car down to the chassis and started everything from scratch,” said Arias. “Then we built out the rear end adding a four link suspension kit with coils and disc brakes, along with the front end. We then purchased a new engine out of a 240sx with a turbo,” added Arias. “From there, we have been doing rust repairs building a brand new floor pan, bought and rebuilt my rims that I got from Japan, and recently purchased some seats that are going in soon.” 

Taking the auto class offers many benefits for students like Arias.

“Some benefits of taking auto are all the resources in the auto shop you can use, like welders, alignment, racks, and many more,” he said. 

These resources have allowed Arias to pursue his passion for cars and working on them.

“I decided to take auto because I love cars and want to design vehicles in the future,” Arias stated. “The areas I’m most curious and passionate about are engines and vehicle design.”

Loving cars runs in the Arias family.

“My dad owns a 1932 Ford pickup truck and drives a 2020 Chevy Silverado, and my mom has a 1956 Chevy station wagon along with a 2015 Chevy Tahoe,” Arias listed. 

Arias’s grandfather also participated in the car show last year and won with a custom 1932 Ford Roadster. Arias brought a 1956 Chevy station wagon to the car show this year on May 1.