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Jim Warren
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 Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 4:11 pm Post subject: My sad news day |
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I went to my local garage this morning - the one that has looked after
MOTs and welding on all my cars for the last 33 years - and it has
changed hands.
The mechanic who has looked after my daily driver Triumph since I bought
it 24 years ago, (and done most of the repairs for the last two after my
joints got a bit too creaky) has retired. Instead of someone taught in
the traditional ways, who really liked to work on pre-electronics cars,
I was meeting someone who reminded me of a Qu**k F*t fitter.
I have booked the 2000 in for an MOT anyway, but whether he knows that
the test is to different standards for pre-1974 cars remains to be seen.
Whether he wants to do any work on it if any is needed remains to be
seen. Whether I trust him to do it properly at a reasonable price if
anything needs doing is also bothering me.
How does someone find a garage that can be trusted with old machinery
these days? Any suggestions?
Jim |
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Badger
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| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:55 pm Post subject: Re: My sad news day |
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"Jim Warren" <jimwarren@OMITblueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Zv1Lj.4748$yD2.869@text.news.virginmedia.com...
| Quote: |
I went to my local garage this morning - the one that has looked after
MOTs and welding on all my cars for the last 33 years - and it has
changed hands.
The mechanic who has looked after my daily driver Triumph since I bought
it 24 years ago, (and done most of the repairs for the last two after my
joints got a bit too creaky) has retired. Instead of someone taught in
the traditional ways, who really liked to work on pre-electronics cars,
I was meeting someone who reminded me of a Qu**k F*t fitter.
I have booked the 2000 in for an MOT anyway, but whether he knows that
the test is to different standards for pre-1974 cars remains to be seen.
Whether he wants to do any work on it if any is needed remains to be
seen. Whether I trust him to do it properly at a reasonable price if
anything needs doing is also bothering me.
How does someone find a garage that can be trusted with old machinery
these days? Any suggestions?
|
Tell us where you are Jim, someone may know of a trustworthy garage in your
area. Personal recommendation is way better than any advertisement!
Badger. |
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Jim Warren
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| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 6:36 pm Post subject: Re: My sad news day |
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Badger wrote:
| Quote: |
"Jim Warren" <jimwarren@OMITblueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Zv1Lj.4748$yD2.869@text.news.virginmedia.com...
I went to my local garage this morning - the one that has looked after
MOTs and welding on all my cars for the last 33 years - and it has
changed hands.
The mechanic who has looked after my daily driver Triumph since I bought
it 24 years ago, (and done most of the repairs for the last two after my
joints got a bit too creaky) has retired. Instead of someone taught in
the traditional ways, who really liked to work on pre-electronics cars,
I was meeting someone who reminded me of a Qu**k F*t fitter.
I have booked the 2000 in for an MOT anyway, but whether he knows that
the test is to different standards for pre-1974 cars remains to be seen.
Whether he wants to do any work on it if any is needed remains to be
seen. Whether I trust him to do it properly at a reasonable price if
anything needs doing is also bothering me.
How does someone find a garage that can be trusted with old machinery
these days? Any suggestions?
Tell us where you are Jim, someone may know of a trustworthy garage in your
area. Personal recommendation is way better than any advertisement!
Badger.
I am in Bath. The garage I used is Midland Car Company, so |
recommendations wanted other than that one.
I have a couple of options. There is a body shop in Bath that
specialises in MGBs but will tackle anything of similar age, and he
doesn't do MOTs so he must have someone he uses for that. And there is
the Morris Minor Centre that has recently moved from Bath to Bristol,
but they might have a recommendation in Bath. So I can ask around, but
any suggestions from the NG gratefully accepted.
Jim |
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Adrian
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| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:25 pm Post subject: Re: My sad news day |
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HI Jim
On Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:36:08 GMT, Jim Warren
<jimwarren@OMITblueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
| Quote: |
Badger wrote:
"Jim Warren" <jimwarren@OMITblueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Zv1Lj.4748$yD2.869@text.news.virginmedia.com...
I went to my local garage this morning - the one that has looked after
MOTs and welding on all my cars for the last 33 years - and it has
changed hands.
The mechanic who has looked after my daily driver Triumph since I bought
it 24 years ago, (and done most of the repairs for the last two after my
joints got a bit too creaky) has retired. Instead of someone taught in
the traditional ways, who really liked to work on pre-electronics cars,
I was meeting someone who reminded me of a Qu**k F*t fitter.
I have booked the 2000 in for an MOT anyway, but whether he knows that
the test is to different standards for pre-1974 cars remains to be seen.
Whether he wants to do any work on it if any is needed remains to be
seen. Whether I trust him to do it properly at a reasonable price if
anything needs doing is also bothering me.
How does someone find a garage that can be trusted with old machinery
these days? Any suggestions?
Tell us where you are Jim, someone may know of a trustworthy garage in your
area. Personal recommendation is way better than any advertisement!
Badger.
I am in Bath. The garage I used is Midland Car Company, so
recommendations wanted other than that one.
I have a couple of options. There is a body shop in Bath that
specialises in MGBs but will tackle anything of similar age, and he
doesn't do MOTs so he must have someone he uses for that. And there is
the Morris Minor Centre that has recently moved from Bath to Bristol,
but they might have a recommendation in Bath. So I can ask around, but
any suggestions from the NG gratefully accepted.
|
I bought a used Moggie traveller from the MMC in Bristol - and based
on that experience, I'd thoroughly recommend them.
Much more 'traditional ways' than 'quickfit'....
Equally - anybody in Bath that they were to reccommend should be OK...
<g>
Hope this helps
Adrian |
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Jim Warren
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| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:01 pm Post subject: Re: My sad news day |
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Adrian wrote:
| Quote: |
HI Jim
I am in Bath. The garage I used is Midland Car Company, so
recommendations wanted other than that one.
I have a couple of options. There is a body shop in Bath that
specialises in MGBs but will tackle anything of similar age, and he
doesn't do MOTs so he must have someone he uses for that. And there is
the Morris Minor Centre that has recently moved from Bath to Bristol,
but they might have a recommendation in Bath. So I can ask around, but
any suggestions from the NG gratefully accepted.
I bought a used Moggie traveller from the MMC in Bristol - and based
on that experience, I'd thoroughly recommend them.
Much more 'traditional ways' than 'quickfit'....
Equally - anybody in Bath that they were to recommend should be OK...
g
Hope this helps
Adrian
|
I will see what the MOT results are, and get an impression of the
mechanic from the way he describes what he found. And if he doesn't
find anything unaffordable wrong, I am inclined to let him do the work
and judge him by how it is done. After all, he will be putting his name
on the MOT certificate afterwards.
But if I do think I have to go somewhere else, I will speak to Charlie
Ware (he lives in Bath, and I often see him around), pass on your
appreciation, and see what he has to say. Thanks for the recommendation.
Jim |
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Adrian
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| Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:43 pm Post subject: Re: My sad news day |
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HI Jim
On Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:01:06 GMT, Jim Warren
<jimwarren@OMITblueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
| Quote: |
Adrian wrote:
HI Jim
I am in Bath. The garage I used is Midland Car Company, so
recommendations wanted other than that one.
I have a couple of options. There is a body shop in Bath that
specialises in MGBs but will tackle anything of similar age, and he
doesn't do MOTs so he must have someone he uses for that. And there is
the Morris Minor Centre that has recently moved from Bath to Bristol,
but they might have a recommendation in Bath. So I can ask around, but
any suggestions from the NG gratefully accepted.
I bought a used Moggie traveller from the MMC in Bristol - and based
on that experience, I'd thoroughly recommend them.
Much more 'traditional ways' than 'quickfit'....
Equally - anybody in Bath that they were to recommend should be OK...
g
Hope this helps
Adrian
I will see what the MOT results are, and get an impression of the
mechanic from the way he describes what he found. And if he doesn't
find anything unaffordable wrong, I am inclined to let him do the work
and judge him by how it is done. After all, he will be putting his name
on the MOT certificate afterwards.
But if I do think I have to go somewhere else, I will speak to Charlie
Ware (he lives in Bath, and I often see him around), pass on your
appreciation, and see what he has to say. Thanks for the recommendation.
|
No problem.
To jog his memory - it's the Almond Green '64 Traveller that he sent
to the stained glass guy in south-west Ireland......
....that should narrow it down a bit <g>
Good luck
Adrian |
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Jim Warren
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| Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 10:56 am Post subject: Re: My sad news day |
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Adrian wrote:
| Quote: |
On Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:01:06 GMT, Jim Warren
jimwarren@OMITblueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
But if I do think I have to go somewhere else, I will speak to Charlie
Ware (he lives in Bath, and I often see him around), pass on your
appreciation, and see what he has to say. Thanks for the recommendation.
No problem.
To jog his memory - it's the Almond Green '64 Traveller that he sent
to the stained glass guy in south-west Ireland......
...that should narrow it down a bit <g
Good luck
Adrian
|
I met Charlie on Monday and passed on your message.
He didn't say anything apart from Oh yes I remember that one, but he
looked really pleased.
Jim |
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Adrian
Guest
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| Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 12:50 pm Post subject: Re: My sad news day |
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HI Jim
Jim Warren wrote:
| Quote: |
Adrian wrote:
On Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:01:06 GMT, Jim Warren
jimwarren@OMITblueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
But if I do think I have to go somewhere else, I will speak to
Charlie Ware (he lives in Bath, and I often see him around), pass on
your appreciation, and see what he has to say. Thanks for the
recommendation.
No problem.
To jog his memory - it's the Almond Green '64 Traveller that he sent
to the stained glass guy in south-west Ireland......
...that should narrow it down a bit <g
Good luck
Adrian
I met Charlie on Monday and passed on your message.
He didn't say anything apart from Oh yes I remember that one, but he
looked really pleased.
Jim
|
Ah - that's nice.....
Never met him in person - but we've spoken several times on the phone,
and he seems like one of those people who knows their stuff on Moggies...
Thanks
Adrian |
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Jim Warren
Guest
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| Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 2:21 pm Post subject: Re: My sad news day |
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Adrian wrote:
| Quote: |
Ah - that's nice.....
Never met him in person - but we've spoken several times on the phone,
and he seems like one of those people who knows their stuff on Moggies...
Thanks
Adrian
|
He is a very interesting man to talk to, though he always seems
incredibly busy and never chats for long at any time.
He was once a millionaire who fought (and won) a running battle with the
council who wanted to demolish a row of Georgian houses that they had
deliberately allowed to go derelict to make them worthless. Charlie
stepped in and bought them from under the council's nose, restored them
and then forced the council to rethink their development plans because
what they intended to demolish was no longer unfit for habitation. He
sold them on and used the money to buy up another set of derelicts and
restored them. Unfortunately at that time there was a property price
crash and he lost most of his money because this latest batch sold for
less than it cost him to restore them.
Having found himself with insufficient cash to restore property he
decided to start restoring something else and settled on Morris Minors.
And as the business grew and became more profitable, he bought another
Georgian terrace, restored that and used it as his business
headquarters. He also started up a factory in Sri Lanka which now makes
his parts for his restoration business.
Before the second World War, there were several garages named Ware's,
most of which got bombed. I don't know if they were his family or not -
I have never asked him - but my guess is that they were, and he grew up
in an environment where cars were repaired. He certainly knows a lot
about classic cars which would have been current cars when he was
growing up.
Jim |
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Adrian
Guest
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| Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 6:12 pm Post subject: Re: My sad news day |
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Hi Jim
Jim Warren wrote:
| Quote: |
Adrian wrote:
Ah - that's nice.....
Never met him in person - but we've spoken several times on the phone,
and he seems like one of those people who knows their stuff on Moggies...
Thanks
Adrian
He is a very interesting man to talk to, though he always seems
incredibly busy and never chats for long at any time.
He was once a millionaire who fought (and won) a running battle with the
council who wanted to demolish a row of Georgian houses that they had
deliberately allowed to go derelict to make them worthless. Charlie
stepped in and bought them from under the council's nose, restored them
and then forced the council to rethink their development plans because
what they intended to demolish was no longer unfit for habitation. He
sold them on and used the money to buy up another set of derelicts and
restored them. Unfortunately at that time there was a property price
crash and he lost most of his money because this latest batch sold for
less than it cost him to restore them.
|
Sounds like a man after my own heart !
I'm running a campaign at the moment the bring back the Swansea-Cork
ferry - which is a vital link for tourism & industry out here in the
South-West of Ireland
www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com
with an online petition if you or anybody you know is interested....
| Quote: |
Having found himself with insufficient cash to restore property he
decided to start restoring something else and settled on Morris Minors.
And as the business grew and became more profitable, he bought another
Georgian terrace, restored that and used it as his business
headquarters. He also started up a factory in Sri Lanka which now makes
his parts for his restoration business.
|
Ah - that's interesting - have heard mention of a factory out that way
that's making Moggie spares - didn't put 2&2 together though....
One day when I'm rich I'm going to get Charles's organisation to biuld
me a new Moggie - but then - that'd take away all the fun of patching up
the odd hole in my 'original' one <g>
| Quote: |
Before the second World War, there were several garages named Ware's,
most of which got bombed. I don't know if they were his family or not -
I have never asked him - but my guess is that they were, and he grew up
in an environment where cars were repaired. He certainly knows a lot
about classic cars which would have been current cars when he was
growing up.
|
From the few chats I've had with him he's certainly a mine of
information on the Minors...
Regards
Adrian - West Cork, Ireland |
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Steve Firth
Guest
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| Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 6:23 pm Post subject: Re: My sad news day |
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Adrian <adrian@ambquality.co.uk> wrote:
| Quote: |
I'm running a campaign at the moment the bring back the Swansea-Cork
ferry - which is a vital link for tourism & industry out here in the
South-West of Ireland
|
Ooh I used to use that "quite often" because a good friend of mine lived
at Ringaskiddy. His family were a bit famous around those parts since
they had an Island named after them.
| Quote: |
www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com
with an online petition if you or anybody you know is interested....
|
Just as long as it's not an aging Greek reject this time and hopefully
the loos won't asphyxiate people in their sleep or the windows in the
bar break during heavy weather. |
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Adrian
Guest
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| Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 8:40 pm Post subject: Re: My sad news day |
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Hi Steve
Steve Firth wrote:
| Quote: |
Adrian <adrian@ambquality.co.uk> wrote:
I'm running a campaign at the moment the bring back the Swansea-Cork
ferry - which is a vital link for tourism & industry out here in the
South-West of Ireland
Ooh I used to use that "quite often" because a good friend of mine lived
at Ringaskiddy. His family were a bit famous around those parts since
they had an Island named after them.
|
Sounds interesting....
| Quote: |
www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com
with an online petition if you or anybody you know is interested....
Just as long as it's not an aging Greek reject this time and hopefully
the loos won't asphyxiate people in their sleep or the windows in the
bar break during heavy weather.
|
Well yes.....
On the website we _do_ say
==Just to clarify one thing - we’d all like the Swansea-Cork link to be
restored, preferably with a modern, comfortable (different!) boat,
operated by a responsive, efficient company.
This may or may not be “Swansea Cork Ferries” - but, whoever is involved
in operating it, the Swansea-Cork ferry service and the onward
‘land-bridge’ must be restored as soon as possible!==
Even though the last boat was a bit of a tub, it was, at least, a
link.... and without that link which gave easy access by car from the UK
/ EU to South-West Ireland - many holidaymakers are simply not making
the journey.... - and the tourist industry out here is suffering.
As I say - all e-signatures are very welcome !
http://www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com/html/e-petition.php
Adrian |
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Andrew Robert Breen
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| Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 9:00 pm Post subject: Re: My sad news day |
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In article <6933rbF2vh5p4U1@mid.individual.net>,
Adrian <adrian@ambquality.co.uk> wrote:
| Quote: |
Hi Steve
Steve Firth wrote:
Adrian <adrian@ambquality.co.uk> wrote:
I'm running a campaign at the moment the bring back the Swansea-Cork
ferry - which is a vital link for tourism & industry out here in the
South-West of Ireland
Ooh I used to use that "quite often" because a good friend of mine lived
|
I used to make quite a lot of use of it for work-trips - I'm involed in
a joint project with UC Cork and it was just dead easy to get the
bus to Carmarthen, train to Swansea and then catch the ferry over
to Cork overnight. Getting there any other way is a PITA.
| Quote: |
www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com
with an online petition if you or anybody you know is interested....
Just as long as it's not an aging Greek reject this time and hopefully
the loos won't asphyxiate people in their sleep or the windows in the
bar break during heavy weather.
|
In justice, I think the last one was an aging Japanese relic. Still,
I've travelled on worse, and you were generally OK if you could get
an upper-deck cabin.
--
Andy Breen ~ Speaking for myself, not the University of Wales
"your suggestion rates at four monkeys for six weeks"
(Peter D. Rieden) |
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Adrian
Guest
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| Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 9:58 pm Post subject: Re: My sad news day |
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Hi Andy
Andrew Robert Breen wrote:
| Quote: |
In article <6933rbF2vh5p4U1@mid.individual.net>,
Adrian <adrian@ambquality.co.uk> wrote:
Hi Steve
Steve Firth wrote:
Adrian <adrian@ambquality.co.uk> wrote:
I'm running a campaign at the moment the bring back the Swansea-Cork
ferry - which is a vital link for tourism & industry out here in the
South-West of Ireland
Ooh I used to use that "quite often" because a good friend of mine lived
I used to make quite a lot of use of it for work-trips - I'm involed in
a joint project with UC Cork and it was just dead easy to get the
bus to Carmarthen, train to Swansea and then catch the ferry over
to Cork overnight. Getting there any other way is a PITA.
|
Agreed.....
We moved out here about 18 months ago - just before the ferry ceased.
Nightmare of a journey from Suffolk to Swansea (2 dogs, caravan,
gigantic removals lorry) - sleepless night on the boat, inedible
food.... BUT (and it's a big 'but') it saved us two extra days' worth of
the removals guys time, and a rotten half-day journey from Rosslare this
end...
The annoying thing about the whole SCF business is that nobody's giving
a straight answer. There are all sorts of stories and rumours - but
nothing seems to be getting done! (meanwhile the tourist-related
businesses are suffering - read the stories on the website!)
That's why we started the campaign.....
| Quote: |
www.bringbacktheswanseacorkferry.com
with an online petition if you or anybody you know is interested....
Just as long as it's not an aging Greek reject this time and hopefully
the loos won't asphyxiate people in their sleep or the windows in the
bar break during heavy weather.
In justice, I think the last one was an aging Japanese relic. Still,
I've travelled on worse, and you were generally OK if you could get
an upper-deck cabin.
|
We paid 2 x £10 for our two dogs to be housed in 'kennels' on the
journey. Turned out the kennels were simply metal-and-fiberglass crates
in a corner of the car deck - poor creatures were terrified, but, of
course we couldn't visit them during the journey... one of them's still
phobic about the sound of running water 18 months later
There was an awful lot wrong with the previous boat, (and the company!)
- but at least it was a link......
If you'd like to add your e-signature to the website then that'd be great
Regards
Adrian |
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Steve Firth
Guest
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| Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 12:29 am Post subject: Re: My sad news day |
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Adrian <adrian@ambquality.co.uk> wrote:
| Quote: |
That's why we started the campaign.....
|
Have you thought about approaching LD Lines? They recently re-opened the
Porsmouth/Le Havre ferry which takes a similar time to the Swansea/Cork
route and are providing a good quality service at a reasonable price. |
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