I’m in Columbus, Ohio today for the Goodguys PPG Nationals, but I also had the chance to visit with certified-crazy Laguna nut, Steve Yoder, who lives in nearby Hilliard, Ohio. “At one time or another, I’ve probably owned, or know about, every single Laguna in central Ohio,” Steve told me matter-of-factly. And I believe him. Steve’s stash of cars and parts is impressive, and I was there with PHR photog, Robert McGaffin, to get the lowdown on Steve’s most prized Laguna possession: a 10-second big-block powered ’76 Laguna. You can watch for it in an upcoming issue of PHR. This car is sweet, and Steve has the timeslips to prove that it runs as good as it looks.
While I was at Steve’s house today, he brought out an incredible array of toys, brochures, posters, model cars, old magazines, and every manner of Laguna memorabilia. Steve also has amassed a large collection of NOS badges and parts, which most Laguna aficionados would swear couldn’t possibly exist. Steve’s been collecting the stuff for 20 years. Funny thing is, Steve won’t even so much as look at another car, not even another Colonnade A-body. Case in point: Steve handed me an old NASCAR collector’s card for Lenny Pond’s ’74 Laguna. I recognized it immediately, and mentioned the fact that the only NASCAR Winston Cup race Lenny ever won was in an Oldsmobile. And did he like Oldsmobiles too? “Nope. Just Lagunas.”
That kind of single-mindedness pays off. Steve has become the brain trust for a long-forgotten car line, and the owner of absolutely the nicest Laguna I’ve ever laid eyes on (and the fastest, too). I can’t wait to show you Steve’s ’76, and all the cool tweaks he’s performed on it. If you don’t love Lagunas already, this one may just change your mind!