The mythical wonder-mechanic
Discussion
Decades ago I knew a bloke in a shed in Hackney who would do a nut and bolt rebuild if I took my old car to him with a bent wing mirror, and then charge me £40, if he could be bothered to charge at all. I exaggerate, but not much. I lost touch with him, and have never again found his like, until recently.
I hope that the Mods will not mind me posting a plug for a mechanic who could be of great use to those in the London area who need professional help in maintaining their classic cars. I have recently starting using a bloke who is experienced, reliable, knowledgeable, and honest; and who charges £25 an hour plus travel expenses [EDIT: now thirty quid, but still good]. He comes to where your car is, with a chest full of tools, including power tools and lamps. He does not have premises, a ramp/hoist or heavy kit, and does not do welding, but he's great for other stuff. If this post is acceptable to the Mods and stays here, then PM me for the details, if interested.
I hope that the Mods will not mind me posting a plug for a mechanic who could be of great use to those in the London area who need professional help in maintaining their classic cars. I have recently starting using a bloke who is experienced, reliable, knowledgeable, and honest; and who charges £25 an hour plus travel expenses [EDIT: now thirty quid, but still good]. He comes to where your car is, with a chest full of tools, including power tools and lamps. He does not have premises, a ramp/hoist or heavy kit, and does not do welding, but he's great for other stuff. If this post is acceptable to the Mods and stays here, then PM me for the details, if interested.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 30th January 14:52
A reliable tame mechanic is worth his weight in gold.
I used to have someone similar. Worked out of a van, charged £25ph and was very experienced.
I remember him charging me £165 and a plate of pasta to change the cam belts and tensioners on a Ferrari 328. All I had to do was provide the parts. (£12 for each belt and £50 for each tensioner iirc)
He even did the job in my garage.
I cried every day for a week when he retired.
I used to have someone similar. Worked out of a van, charged £25ph and was very experienced.
I remember him charging me £165 and a plate of pasta to change the cam belts and tensioners on a Ferrari 328. All I had to do was provide the parts. (£12 for each belt and £50 for each tensioner iirc)
He even did the job in my garage.
I cried every day for a week when he retired.
There are others out here - me for instance! i'm just off the M3 in Sandhurst, will happily charge out at a low hourly rate on a classic car as the number of hours booked out tend to be in higher figures than a modern car for servicing etc, so a morning or afternoon or day is quite common. I have built cars to race at Goodwood, the Spa 6 Hours and all the major festivals. I make no distinction between a lightweight E type, Facel Vega, Citroen CX or MGB, Caterham or TVR Griffith 200. They are all cherished by their owners and such are to be treated with care and respect. Classic car paint and accident repair is also a bit of a thing here too!
Glad to see others doing their stuff in the classic car world like me. We sure don't do it for the money - but working on good classic cars is so rewarding.
A point to remember, is to allow your fav guy to make some profit, on parts as well as his labour, so he will still be there the next time you need hin.
A point to remember, is to allow your fav guy to make some profit, on parts as well as his labour, so he will still be there the next time you need hin.
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