Classic Car Restoration & Repair
Pre/Post Purchase Inspections
Buying or selling a classic car is a decision that requires confidence. At Zakira’s Garage, we provide pre-purchase inspections that give buyers the insight they need before making an investment. From engine health to chassis condition, interior wear, and historical details, our inspections provide a clear picture of a vehicle’s strengths and potential challenges. For recent buyers, we also offer post-purchase inspections to establish a baseline for maintenance and restoration planning. Whether you’re evaluating a Porsche 911, a Datsun 240Z, or a Chevrolet Bel-Air, our team helps protect your investment by providing clarity and expert guidance.
Full Mechanical Restoration & Maintenance Services
Restoring and maintaining a vintage car requires more than mechanical knowledge — it demands respect for history. At our Blue Ash facility, we provide full mechanical restoration services, from complete engine rebuilds to transmission and suspension repairs. Our technicians carefully blend old-world craftsmanship with modern tools to ensure reliability without sacrificing originality. Just as importantly, we provide ongoing maintenance services designed to keep classics of all origins road-ready. That includes essentials like carburetor tuning, brake system refreshes, and even suspension repairs that make classic ownership more enjoyable on Cincinnati’s bumpy roads.
Modern Upgrades (Disc Brake Conversion, Engine Swap, Air Conditioning Upgrade, ect.)
While originality is important, many classic car owners want improvements that make driving safer and more comfortable. At Zakira’s Garage, we provide carefully chosen modern upgrades for classics from Europe, Japan, and America. This includes disc brake conversions that improve stopping power, engine swaps that enhance performance, and air conditioning upgrades that make long drives enjoyable even in the hottest weather. Each modification is performed with care to maintain the character of the vehicle while bringing it closer to modern-day standards. These upgrades allow owners to enjoy their cars more often and with greater peace of mind.
Pre-War Car Experts
Pre-war automobiles represent some of the most fascinating and challenging vehicles to maintain. With over 30 years of experience, our team has worked on cars that date back nearly a century, from American marques like Ford and Packard to European brands like Bentley and Mercedes-Benz. These vehicles often require custom fabrication, specialized knowledge, and painstaking attention to detail. At Zakira’s Garage, we are proud to be among the few shops in Greater Cincinnati with the expertise to keep these rare machines alive. Whether you’re preparing for concours competition or simply preserving a family heirloom, our technicians handle pre-war vehicles with unmatched care.
Carburetor Services
Before the era of fuel injection, carburetors were the lifeblood of automobiles. We provide carburetor rebuilds, tuning, and balancing services to ensure smooth running and reliable performance for classics ranging from Jaguars E-Types to Ford Mustangs to Toyota FJ40s. Proper carburetor care is essential for both drivability and authenticity, and our team has decades of experience in getting them set up correctly. Whether your car needs routine adjustment or a full overhaul, we restore carburetors to optimal condition, supporting both originality and performance.
Interior Refresh Options
Classic cars are as much about the experience inside as they are about the way they drive. We provide interior refresh services that maintain authenticity while improving comfort and presentation. From leather conditioning and upholstery repairs to carpet replacements and trim restoration, our interior services enhance both usability and visual appeal. For owners looking to combine originality with convenience, we can discreetly integrate upgrades such as air conditioning vents or hidden modern comforts that make vintage cars more enjoyable for everyday driving.
Expertise with Air-Cooled Porsche, Classic Land Rover & More
Our expertise extends across a wide range of classic marques, including European favorites like Porsche and Jaguar, Japanese icons like Datsun and Toyota, and American legends like Chevrolet, Ford, and Dodge. From electrical troubleshooting to body and paint coordination, we understand the quirks and strengths of these cars. Collectors across Cincinnati trust Zakira’s Garage to provide specialized attention for their vehicles, knowing that every project is approached with enthusiasm and a commitment to preservation.
Trusted by Collectors Across Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky
Classic car owners value trust as much as technical skill, and we are proud to be a resource for collectors across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Our clean, modern facility in Blue Ash is equipped to handle vehicles of all eras, from pre-war antiques to 1980s icons. Many of our clients have trusted us for years to maintain and restore their collections, and we are committed to upholding that trust through transparent communication, careful planning, and expert execution.
