OUR TEAM
OUR TEAM
OWNER
JAY M. SONEFF
Jay Soneff grew up in cars—Hudsons first, then muscle, right as the era took off. His weekends were split between Bandimere’s Friday night drags and the Saturday cruise on 16th Street downtown.
By 16, Jay was already rebuilding engines, including the 426 Hemi from a 1968 Hemi GTX Convertible, supervised by the late Gene Hopkins—one of Ford Motor Company’s top performance gurus. People used to say nobody could pull more horsepower out of a muscle car than Gene.
Working alongside his father, the late John Soneff, Jay helped shape Soneff’s Master Garage into a trusted name for real muscle. In the 1990s, Westword voted SMG Best Muscle Car Dealer, recognized for its lineup of Hemi and Six Pack cars—plus Cobras, Vettes, Shelbys, and Hurst Performance Series vehicles.
Jay’s philosophy at Soneff’s is straightforward: cars are meant to be enjoyed. Driven. Cleaned up. Shown off with the hood open. Not stored away like art.
MAIN SHOP
IRVINE
General Manager
Soneff's Master Garage is proud to recognize Irvine Porras, who began his journey with our team in April 2018 as a skilled mechanic and has since risen to the role of General Manager. Over the years, Irvine has demonstrated exceptional talent, work ethic, and leadership, earning the trust and respect of both colleagues and clients. In his current role, he oversees daily operations, coordinates multiple departments, and ensures that every project meets our exacting standards. His deep understanding of automotive restoration from hands-on experience, combined with his strategic management skills, allows him to bridge the gap between technical work and operational excellence. Irvine’s dedication, professionalism, and ability to lead by example make him an invaluable part of our team and a driving force behind our continued success.JAYSON
Restoration Technician & Detailer
Soneff's Master Garage is proud to recognize Jayson Bates, who has been a valued member of our team since March 2017. As a dedicated restoration technician and detailer, Jayson brings exceptional skill, precision, and passion to every project he works on. His expertise in vehicle restoration and meticulous attention to detail ensure that each vehicle meets the highest standards of craftsmanship and presentation. Over the years, Jayson has consistently demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and a strong commitment to quality, making him an integral part of our continued success.AARON
Lead Fabricator
Soneff's Master Garage is proud to recognize Aaron Mountford, who joined our team in July 2018 as our Lead Fabricator. Aaron plays a key role in bringing complex restoration projects to life, combining advanced fabrication skills with precision craftsmanship. His ability to design, modify, and build custom components ensures that each vehicle meets both structural integrity and show-quality standards. Aaron’s leadership, creativity, and dedication to excellence make him an essential part of our team and the continued success of our shop.MAX
Junior Technician
Soneff's Master Garage is proud to recognize Max Levinson, who joined our team in April 2019 as a Junior Technician. Since starting with us, Max has shown strong dedication to learning and growing within the restoration field. He supports our senior technicians with preparation, assembly, and detailed tasks that help keep projects moving efficiently. Max’s positive attitude, willingness to learn, and commitment to quality workmanship make him a valuable part of our team.CLAYTON
Junior Fabricator
Soneff's Master Garage is proud to recognize Clayton Watson, who joined our team in July 2023 as a Junior Fabricator. Clayton brings enthusiasm, a strong willingness to learn, and a growing skill set to support our senior fabricators on complex restoration projects. His attention to detail and commitment to quality help ensure that every component he works on meets the high standards of our shop. Clayton’s dedication and eagerness to develop his craft make him a promising and valued member of our team.
BODY SHOP
TROY
Body Shop Manager
Soneff's Master Garage is proud to recognize Troy Powers, who joined our team in November 2020 as our Body Shop Manager. Troy brings extensive expertise in automotive body work and a strong leadership presence, overseeing all aspects of our body shop operations. He ensures that every project is completed efficiently, safely, and to the highest standards of quality. Troy’s ability to manage workflow, mentor technicians, and maintain consistent communication with clients has strengthened our team and enhanced our shop’s reputation. His dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence make him a key contributor to the success of Soneff's Master Garage.NOE
Body Shop Technician
Soneff's Master Garage is proud to recognize Noe Hinojosa, who joined our team in October 2021 as a Body Shop Technician. Noe plays an important role in the restoration process, bringing strong technical skills, attention to detail, and a solid work ethic to every project. His expertise in body repair and preparation helps ensure that each vehicle is restored to the highest standards before moving to the next stage of refinement. Noe’s reliability and commitment to quality make him a valued member of our team.Add product features or answer common questions about your products.antonio
Lead Painter
Soneff's Master Garage is proud to recognize Antonio Fraire, who joined our team in April 2021 and serves as our Lead Painter. Antonio plays a critical role in maintaining the high standards our shop is known for, bringing precision, consistency, and an expert eye for color and finish to
every project. His leadership in the paint department ensures that each vehicle receives a flawless, show-quality result. Antonio’s dedication, craftsmanship,
and commitment to excellence make him an essential part of our team and
continued success.GABRIEL
Body Shop Technician
Soneff's Master Garage is proud to recognize Gabriel Morales, who joined our team in October2025 as a Body Shop Technician. Gabriel contributes strong technical skills and a solid understanding of body repair processes, helping
ensure each vehicle is properly restored and prepared to meet our high standards. His attention to detail, teamwork, and commitment to quality workmanship make him a valuable addition to our shop and an important part of our continued success.
OFFICE
MARSHA LAURIENTI
Office Manager/Accounting Manager
Soneff’s Master Garage is proud to recognize Marsha Laurienti, who has worked alongside the owner for over 24 years across multiple businesses and now serves as our Office Manager/Accounting Manager. Marsha plays a vital role in keeping our operations running smoothly, overseeing daily office functions and managing all accounting processes. As a trusted partner, she helps ensure everything behind the scenes stays organized and on track. Her attention to detail, dedication, and friendly approach make her an essential part of our team and a familiar face our customers know and trust.AUDREY
Title Clerk & Service Writer
Soneff's Master Garage is proud to recognize Audrey Martinez, who joined our team in July 2019 as our Title Clerk and Service Writer. Audrey plays a vital role in keeping our operations running smoothly, managing vehicle documentation, processing titles, and serving as a key point of communication between our shop and our customers. Her organization, attention to detail, and professionalism ensure that every project is handled efficiently from start to finish. Audrey’s dedication and reliability make her an essential part of our team.
