Hagerty Partners with Porsche Racing, Car Culture Legends to Open California Facility

Traverse City-based Hagerty Inc., an automotive lifestyle brand and specialty insurance provider, has opened of Garage + Social Van Nuys, the latest in its national network of enthusiast facilities.
353
Porsche factory racing driver Patrick Long and Porsche restorer Rod Emory partnered with Hagerty to open Garage + Social Van Nuys. // Courtesy of Hagerty Media
Porsche factory racing driver Patrick Long and Porsche restorer Rod Emory partnered with Hagerty to open Garage + Social Van Nuys. // Courtesy of Hagerty Media

Traverse City-based Hagerty Inc., an automotive lifestyle brand and specialty insurance provider, has opened of Garage + Social Van Nuys, the latest in its national network of enthusiast facilities.

Porsche factory racing driver Patrick Long and longtime Porsche restorer Rod Emory, both with southern California roots, have partnered with Hagerty to launch the new location, which will offer a premium clubhouse and storage facility for Los Angeles-area car collectors and enthusiasts.

The Garage + Social clubhouse will be operated by Hagerty in partnership with Long, a Porsche North American Motorsports ambassador and Luftgekühlt co-founder; and Emory, long-time racer, restorer, and founder of Emory Motorsports, a prestige vintage Porsche restoration business.

The two enthusiasts are expected to bring a perspective on car culture rooted in three generations of car-guys from Burbank and Glendale, two towns that were at the epicenter of hot rod and car culture in the mid-1940s.

“One of the great things about the car world is that we love to gather, share stories, and revel in our shared passion and appreciation of collectible cars,” says McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty.

“Patrick and Rod’s extensive careers, gracious personalities, and SoCal roots mean that they’ll create a great atmosphere for Garage + Social members. The result will be an oasis for car enthusiasts, designed by car enthusiasts. It’s a place where members and the public alike will enjoy truly special moments that perfectly complement Hagerty’s purpose to save driving and car culture for future generations.”

Long says: “Rod and I have known each other for 15 years from the Porsche racing scene, and we both come from families that were immersed in SoCal’s car scene. The opportunity to work with Hagerty to create a unique car-culture center was one we had to take. In developing the club, we look to embrace all types of vehicles, from exotic European makes to old-school hot rods, classics and muscle cars.”

Emory describes the pair’s vision for the facility. “It offers a vital social component, as well as a place to park your car. One which Pat and I are committed to building into something meaningful for enthusiasts of all kinds. The Van Nuys clubhouse will have an all-encompassing entertainment space that focuses on car culture and welcomes the automotive community. We plan to host coffee get-togethers, track days, rallies, you name it. It’ll be a relaxed, fun, and dynamic atmosphere that speaks to every car enthusiast.”

Garage + Social Van Nuys features climate-controlled, dust-free storage with 24-hour security, personalized service, maintenance, and detailing. The 2.5-acre site includes more than 30,000 square feet of car storage that is open now, plus a separate 7,500-square-foot, eight-car garage that Long and Emory will transform into the Garage + Social clubhouse in the coming months. It will include space for events, complemented by a cafe and coffee bar.

The center’s interior design will showcase artwork and photography from the world of motorsports and SoCal car culture. The clubhouse is expected to open in March 2023.

For enthusiasts who don’t yet own a car or need storage, a social membership is available providing access to the clubhouse. All Garage + Social members are automatically enrolled in the Hagerty Drivers Club and have access to Hagerty Garage + Social locations throughout North America.

The Van Nuys opening marks the first location in southern California. Hagerty currently operates Garage + Social facilities in nine cities, including Seattle, Chicago, Toronto, Bedford Hills (N.Y.), Delray Beach, Miami, Palm Beach, Van Nuys (Calif.) and opening soon in Culver City (Calif.).