EXHIBIT 5.1 [Form of Legal Opinion of Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP] , 1999 Securities and Exchange Commission Judiciary Plaza 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 Re: FirstAmerica Automotive, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-75907) Ladies and Gentlemen: As counsel to FirstAmerica Automotive, Inc. (the "Company"), we are rendering this opinion in connection with a proposed sale of those certain shares of the Company's newly-issued Common Stock and those certain additional shares of the Company's Common Stock held by certain stockholders as set forth in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 to which this opinion is being filed as Exhibit 5.1 (the "Shares"). We have examined all instruments, documents and records which we deemed relevant and necessary for the basis of our opinion hereinafter expressed. In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures and the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. We express no opinion with respect to (i) the availability of equitable remedies or (ii) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or equitable principles relating to or limiting creditors' rights generally. Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that the Shares identified in the above-referenced Registration Statement will be, upon effectiveness of the Registration Statement and receipt by the Company of payment therefor, validly authorized, legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the above-referenced Registration Statement and to the use of our name wherever it appears in said Registration Statement, including the Prospectuses constituting a part thereof, as originally filed or as subsequently amended. Respectfully submitted, _______________________________________ GRAY CARY WARE & FREIDENRICH LLP