In a nondescript Glendale warehouse, Ben Tuna is turning destruction into pure artistic magic. A second-generation stained glass artist, Tuna has discovered an extraordinary way to breathe new life into fire-damaged vintage Porsches by transforming them into stunning glass art pieces.

Tuna’s journey began when Los Angeles fires destroyed numerous classic cars, sparking his creative vision. Instead of seeing these vehicles as total losses, he saw potential masterpieces waiting to be reimagined. Using stained glass salvaged from historical sources like church windows, he meticulously reconstructs car windows with intricate, centuries-old fragments that tell complex visual stories.

His current project involves a 1965 Porsche 356 that burned in the Palisades, which he’s carefully adorning with reclaimed glass featuring delicate details like saints’ hands, golden fleur-de-lis, and vibrant pink hibiscus blooms. This isn’t mere restoration – Tuna calls his process “Resurrection,” a deliberate statement about transforming seemingly destroyed objects into profound art.

Inheriting his color expertise from his father, who ran Glass Visions Studio, Tuna initially resisted joining the family business. He explored other careers, including teaching and special effects work at Warner Brothers. However, when his father suffered a stroke in 2020, Ben stepped in to complete a massive Playboy Mansion project, ultimately installing around 250 windows.

Now, Tuna’s unique approach to stained glass art has garnered significant attention. His work isn’t just technically impressive – it’s a profound commentary on preservation, creativity, and seeing potential where others see only wreckage. Each piece represents months of meticulous work, with materials ranging from centuries-old church glass to fire-damaged car frames.

Despite the physical challenges of working with lead-heavy materials and the precision required in glass work, Tuna remains passionate. “There are like 50 years of work in these cars, and I’ve only been alive for 30,” he explains, highlighting his deep respect for craft and history.

Tuna will debut his first transformed Porsche 911 at the Motorluxe gala during Monterey Car Week, promising to challenge viewers’ perceptions of art, automotive history, and creative resurrection.