OCEANSIDE — Sgt. Danny Novoa is a fifth generation Marine and three-tour Iraqi vet who went to B&R Buggies on the Pacific Coast Highway with transmission problems.

Nearly killed in an IED blast last November that took the life of his best friend, the former platoon leader and father of two was seeking nothing more than the opportunity to spend some time camping with his family in the desert while continuing to recover from his wounds.

B&R owner Gary Haugley and his team of experienced mechanics, including Seth Walther of Amplified Sandcar fame, were so impressed with Novoa’s personal...