How We Got Started
Look, I'll be honest with you - this whole thing started in my dad's garage back in 2008. I was barely 22, fresh outta tech school, and absolutely obsessed with BMWs and Porsches. My old man thought I was nuts for wanting to specialize in European rides when everyone said "stick to domestic, kid."
But here's the thing - I'd been wrenching on my buddy's E30 since high school, and something just clicked. These cars aren't like everything else on the road. They've got personality, quirks, and yeah... they demand respect. You can't half-ass anything with a proper German or Italian machine.
Started out doing side jobs, diagnostic work mostly. Word spread pretty quick that there was this guy in Vancouver who actually knew his way around a STAR diagnostic system and wasn't charging dealer rates. By 2011, I'd saved enough to lease this unit on Industrial Crescent - all 2,400 square feet of it. Filled it with proper lifts, alignment equipment, and tools that didn't come from the discount bin.
Now we're seventeen years in, and honestly? Still feels like day one every time a classic Alfa or a tuned M3 rolls through our bay doors. That never gets old.
Marcus Brennan
Founder & Lead Technician
- • Bosch Certified Master Tech
- • Red Seal Inter-provincial
- • BMW & Mercedes-Benz Factory Training
- • 19 years hands-on experience
The Team Behind the Work
Elena Kowalski - Senior Diagnostic Tech
Elena came to us from a Porsche dealership in 2014 and honestly knows more about PDK transmissions than anyone I've ever met. She's our go-to for anything electrical or computer-related. If it's got a CAN bus, she can crack it.
Porsche Certified, ASE Master Tech, VW/Audi Specialist
James "Jimmy" Patterson - Engine & Performance
Jimmy's the guy you want if you're building something special. Came up through the drag racing scene, shifted to Euro performance around 2016. He's rebuilt more M-series engines than he can count and has a sixth sense for getting every last horse out of a motor without sacrificing reliability.
Red Seal Certified, Performance Tuning Specialist
Raj Deshmukh - Restoration & Bodywork Coordinator
Raj joined us in 2019 after running his own restoration shop for a decade. He's got an eye for detail that borders on obsessive - which is exactly what you want when you're bringing a '73 Alfa Spider back to life. Handles all our classic projects and coordinates with our trusted body shop partners.
15+ years restoration experience, Classic Car Club of BC member
Sophie Chen - Service Coordinator
Sophie keeps this whole operation running smooth. She knows the cars, knows the customers, and somehow keeps track of every bolt and bearing that comes through here. If you call or email, you're probably talking to Sophie - and trust me, you're in good hands.
Customer relations, Parts sourcing specialist
Our Journey - The Important Bits
Started doing European diagnostics and repairs from a residential garage. Just me, a laptop, and way too much coffee.
Opened Pyrethorn Citadel's first proper facility - 2,400 sq ft on Industrial Crescent. Two lifts, big dreams.
Added performance tuning services after Jimmy joined the team. Started seeing track cars regularly.
Earned Bosch certification and invested in a Hunter alignment system. Game changer for suspension work.
Completed our first full ground-up restoration - a 1969 Alfa Romeo GTV. Still one of my proudest moments.
Expanded to include dedicated restoration bay. Raj came aboard to run that side of things.
Added advanced emissions diagnostics equipment. Keeping these older Euro cars legal and running clean matters to us.
Hit our 1,000th satisfied customer milestone. Started preventive maintenance programs by popular demand.
Still here, still wrenching, still obsessed with getting it right. Added hybrid and modern EV diagnostics training because the times are changing.
Why We're Different
We don't do oil changes on Corollas. Nothing against 'em, but that's not our thing. We focus exclusively on European imports because these vehicles need someone who actually understands them - the engineering philosophy, the common issues, the right way to diagnose problems.
Every car that comes through here gets treated like it matters, 'cause to someone, it really does. Whether it's your daily driver 3-series or a vintage restoration project you've been dreaming about for years - we get it, and we'll take care of it right.
Inside Our Workshop
Our Equipment & Capabilities
- ✓ Four-post and two-post hydraulic lifts
- ✓ Hunter HawkEye Elite alignment system
- ✓ Bosch FSA 740 diagnostic platform
- ✓ OEM-level scan tools (STAR, INPA, VCDS)
- ✓ Snap-on digital oscilloscope
- ✓ Nitrogen tire inflation system
- ✓ Engine cleaning & detailing bay
- ✓ Transmission fluid exchange systems
- ✓ Dedicated restoration workspace
- ✓ Professional-grade air tools & equipment
- ✓ Parts washer & solvent tank
- ✓ Climate-controlled storage available
Come See What We're About
Workshop tours available by appointment. We're proud of what we've built here and we're always happy to show folks around. Plus, there's usually something interesting on a lift.
Schedule a Visit