CARS ARE MY LIFE: PETER HERKE!

Racer, mechanic and Sarasota Café Racer has spent his entire adult life, both here and in Germany, making cars quicker, faster and look better.

Apprenticing at specialty car shots in Berlin before he was old enough to drive, Peter Herke, left, worked for new car dealers and racing teams in Europe before coming to the U.S and opening his own shop in San Francisco, CA. He retired in the late-1990s, moved to Sarasota, FL and continues to follow his life-long passion. His "chopped" short-wheelbase BMW, top, is his favorite daily transporter. Peter's show-ready Pantera, below, is the only Italian car in his garage.

Even in his retirement, Herke continues to work on his BMWs, Porsches and a beautiful red Pantera, and participate in historic racing events. He has a fully stocked shop at home and works on cars, including his son Andre’s racecar, surrounded by trophies he has won racing in the U.S and Europe. Here's Peter's Pantera, below, at a Sarasota Cafe Racers event