About Us

Ken and Vince were both born in San Francisco and raised in the same neighborhood for years before becoming business partners in 1971. Ken Toscanini and Vince Ippolito combined their skills, knowledge, enthusiasm, passion for cars and their names (Toscanini + Ippolito) to create Toscalito Tire & Automotive.

Starting in 1971, “The two nice Italian boys” (Ken and Vince), worked a pair Shell stations in the Marina and Fisherman's Wharf area of San Francisco. For years, their stations offered gasoline, auto repair, AAA towing, and car rental to many loyal customers. In 1975, they decided to concentrate on tire sales and auto repair by opening their first Goodyear Tire Store: Lombard Tire & Automotive. In the 35 years since, they have continued to open new shops closer to their homes in Marin: Corte Madera, Ignacio, Terra Linda, downtown San Rafael, and then Vallejo.

In reflecting over the past 40 years in business, Ken and Vince are proud to say that Toscalito is a family business run by a family for families. They take great pride that they have a number of customers who for years have chosen Toscalito for their family's automotive needs. Ken and Vince also have many employees that have been with them for over 35 years. As a member of their employee's extended families; Ken and Vince have lost count on the number of weddings, birthdays, christenings, and (unfortunately) funerals that they have attended over the years.

Toscalito employees provide car owners with the highest quality customer service, while offering a sense of family and community to their customers. It's a level of service and commitment that you can trust. Ken and Vince want to earn your business, and will work hard to deliver a positive, friendly, cost-effective experience.

Toscalito has always been a proud supporter of local charities and non-profit causes. Through the years, they have supported local schools, the American Red Cross, Feed the Children, and Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity - an organization that offers help and support to local homeless young adults. Over the past 10 years, Toscalito has been a major contributor to a local organization - that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society's restricted fund for Breast Cancer Education and Research. Giving back to the community that they serve, is part of their passion.

UPDATE: On March 9, 2011 Toscalito lost one of its founders, Ken Toscanini, after an eleven year battle with cancer! We are extremely saddened by Ken's passing, but we vow to carry on his passion for quality and premium customer service. Toscalito lives on through the many Toscanini and Ippolito family members and loyal employees, that work daily to continue to make Toscalito a solid member of the communities that it serves.