Meet the Team - Basil Elbanna

We have a wide variety of people and backgrounds working at Kindred Motorworks and every opportunity we get to speak to and help you learn about a new individual is a valuable and unique experience.

Next on our - Meet the Team - series is Basil Elbanna. Basil is a critical part of our engineering team and if you’ve ever met our models in person, there’s a good chance you’ve also spoken to this knowledgable and passionate Kindred team member!?

KINDRED: What is your position at Kindred Motorworks and what does a typical work day look like for you?

BASIL: My position is Pre-Production Engineer. I don’t have a typical day as we are building our prototypes and understanding the business processes to build our models at scale. Some days I am shopping for parts to improve electrical systems or other days I could be with the testing group on the road, racking up miles and learning where our cars could use improvement. Then other days I am on the vehicle installing parts or lending a hand to our technicians and blue-printers.

KINDRED: What brought you to Kindred Motorworks?

BASIL: I was hired as an independent contractor to help build out the design center and lend a hand wherever was??needed. As Kindred expanded with a first round hire, I was asked if and what about cars I knew and could help with. As a car engineer I thought about helping with process manufacturing and pre-production.

KINDRED: What do you love most about what you do?

BASIL: I love fielding a complaint about an aspect of the vehicle or a much needed improvement, and working for a better solution. Whether that be in manufacturing or design.

KINDRED: What was your first vehicle?

BASIL: My first vehicle was a family hand-me-down Honda Accord, but the first car I ever bought was a used 1991 Ford Mustang in 1993 and still own today. This was my only transportation for about 10 years.

KINDRED: What is your dream vehicle?

BASIL: Ferrari F-40, Ford GT-40, 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 and Porsche 959 are some of my most beloved cars from when I was kid to today.

KINDRED: What is your favorite way to spend a day off?

BASIL: Day off: Front load with coffee and hit the road for about 2 hours in my Mustang. Lunch at home, tackle personal to-do list. Dinner out with friends and off to a live comedy show or music.

KINDRED: Do you have a favorite road trip or route that you have taken? Tell us a little about it!

BASIL: My favorite route is more like the need to see the coast at some point, which means Hwy 1 via hwy 92 or hwy 84. That stretch of coast between Ocean Beach to Halfmoon Bay is beloved. It's where I learned to surf as a teen and early 20’s. The way home is always through SF and Bay Bridge.

KINDRED: What is your favorite or has been your favorite Kindred lunch so far?

BASIL: We made our own lunch once, tacos with all the fixings. Everyone pitched in from shopping, chopping, BBQ to clean up. Then we hung out in the shop for hours afterwards.

KINDRED: What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now?

BASIL: Road trips to test Bronco for reliability, durability and overall road behavior.

KINDRED: Do you have a dream vehicle you would like to see in the Kindred lineup? What is it and why?

BASIL: 1965-1970 Ford Mustang please, any year or design will satisfy my itch. Second is any year Ford pickup truck. Attainable, endless aftermarket options, and realistically what I am striving to own one day.

KINDRED: What does “enjoying the ride” mean/look like to you?

BASIL: Keys in hand, open garage and just go. Pick the route, music and destination as you go.