El Sobrante Wheel & Brake

El Sobrante Wheel & Brake Family owned & operated since 1974 Yelp, Google, Check us out. (510) 223-9604

Here are 3 photos of the shop, 2 on the left, mid 60's.photo on the right, my 65 Mustang body being hauled to the wrecki...
02/15/2026

Here are 3 photos of the shop, 2 on the left, mid 60's.
photo on the right, my 65 Mustang body being hauled to the wrecking yard (1977-78)

02/13/2026

The sadness can be overwhelming, but if we all work together, there is hope. For about the price of a venti caramel macchiato per day, we can show them the love they so desperately deserve.
**CALL NOW**

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1545503513233211

Rest peacefully now Isky !
02/06/2026

Rest peacefully now Isky !

Ed built one of the most successful aftermarket hot rod parts companies from a single cam grinding machine he designed and built himself in 1946.

10/20/2025

VINTAGE STYLE: Students are learning real-world skills and preserving American craftsmanship at McPherson College in Kansas — the only school in the nation where they can earn a bachelor's degree in bringing classic cars back to life.

Some of the innovative features that came out of Detroit after WWII, I liked the hatchback, But the spare tire mounted i...
10/14/2025

Some of the innovative features that came out of Detroit after WWII, I liked the hatchback, But the spare tire mounted inside the rear driver's side door?? Take a look inside the rear of the car đź‘€

https://www.facebook.com/amazingclassiccars/posts/pfbid02hP7TumwEHrD2W6GcpCHjnsWzRMGkGQEV7LoiWTeWL2vQaU3SERQNpmkFBRm9BUwZl

1951 Frazer Vagabond (the first hatchback?)

Conceived as an innovative utility sedan, the Frazer Vagabond featured what Kaiser-Frazer described as a “hatchback” design (years before the term became common in the automotive world).

The rear deck incorporated a two-piece opening system: the upper section (which included the rear window) lifted upward, while the lower portion folded down like a tailgate. This clever arrangement provided access to a surprisingly spacious cargo area, complete with wood skid strips and wood-trimmed side panels.

Only 2,951 units were produced for 1951, making it one of the rarer postwar American production cars.

The exterior styling presented a clean, streamlined appearance with full wheel covers, bumper guards, and wide whitewall tires. Inside, the Vagabond featured upscale trim for its class, with leather or high-grade vinyl upholstery, matching carpets, and an AM pushbutton radio.

Power came from a 226 cubic inch L-head inline six-cylinder engine equipped with a Carter carburetor, paired with a three-speed manual transmission. The chassis used a semi-floating rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and a conventional independent front suspension.

Kaiser-Frazer marketed the Vagabond as a versatile vehicle suitable for farmers, salesmen, and families alike, emphasizing its dual-purpose nature as both a passenger car and light hauler. However, its relatively high price and reliance on six-cylinder power placed it at a disadvantage against competitors offering V-8 engines.

Despite limited sales, the Vagabond’s forward-thinking design has since earned recognition as one of America’s earliest true hatchbacks.

06/17/2025

Husband's brain storage:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Car Stats: 500GB
Useless trivia: 1TB
Wife's instructions from 5 mins ago:
File not found

Rest in peace Gene Winfield, master metal fabricator.
03/05/2025

Rest in peace Gene Winfield, master metal fabricator.

Master metal fabricator and custom car designer Gene Winfield passes away at 97.

In the early sixties, American cars had tail fins, BIG windows & lots of shiny chrome !
02/03/2025

In the early sixties, American cars had tail fins, BIG windows & lots of shiny chrome !

Leave It to Beaver is an American television sitcom that follows the misadventures of a suburban boy, his family and his friends. It stars Barbara Billingsle...

A man & his tools.A Woman & her shoes.
12/12/2024

A man & his tools.
A Woman & her shoes.

The six-sided tool helped make IKEA a household name. But did anyone named Allen have anything to do with it?

Address

4040 San Pablo Dam Road
Richmond, CA
94803

Opening Hours

Monday 8:45am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:45am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:45am - 5pm
Thursday 8:45am - 5pm
Friday 8:45am - 5pm
Saturday 8:45am - 12pm

Telephone

(510) 223-9604

Website

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Our Story

the owners: Lyle Miller & David Miller are also the employees. in other words, we greet our customers, inspect their cars, write the estimate for repairs, do the repairs, sweep the floors & we're here every day to answer any auto related questions as best we can. Check us out. (510) 223-9604