Need advice and also a warning.

superbee6 said
To file the small claims and get the summons served, does that require a lawyer? I'd gladly pay another $250 to get the car and stick it to this guy.

You don't need a lawyer to do the paperwork - it is a simple form you fill out and file with the small claims clerk:

https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/sc100.pdf

Your best bet would be to sue him in the county where his business is located, although technically, you could file in the county where you live. You would also want to find a private process server close to him - you can look them up on Yelp.