A quiet touch of class

‘In the corner of the workshop, Olli Ragbin sits watching events unfold before him’

In 1945 the Bristol Car company was founded. The small producer of bespoke hand-build luxury cars, they finally shuttered-up shop in 2020 after having gone into administration in 2011.

Incredibly, they had only one showroom. It was on Kensington high street. Talk about perfectly pitching your brand to your audience!

Even now, the Bristol range command significant prices and have a real following within the classic community.

Even the infamous motoring journalist, LJK Setright, couldn’t help but be wooed by the brand, titling one of his essays in the 70’s ‘Bristol: A quiet touch of class’. Says it all really.

This week saw the arrival of an Abu Dhabi-owned, Welsh-residing beautiful Bristol 411. One of two vintage Bristols. The second is scheduled to land in the not-too-distant future.

Our very own Dr Ray’s last employer (prior to his Bosman transfer to CCM) was with Bristol as one of their small group of senior techs. His knowledge is encyclopaedic. He has re-built, restored, made good, perfected and worked on every model. If ever there was a red-letter day for Dr Ray (other than the now regular arrival of concourse 90’s motorcycles into his care), then this is that day.

As an aside, I personally have a lot in common with the Bristol motor company;

· Those who know me (and have heard my accent) will be surprised to learn I was actually born in Bristol

· I have been in administration since 2011

· I am an unique model with limited specialist interest

· I have a reasonable engine but the bodywork is showing signs of ageing

· I too have been described as having a ‘quiet touch of class’

OK. That last point was said by exactly nobody ever and I accept that I am treading on very dangerous ground here by even talking about Bristols at all. Every utterance will be scanned and critiqued and the slightest of mis-steps will be almost instantly seized upon.

I half-thought about asking Dr Ray if he was excited by the arrival of a pair of Bristols….. he saw no funny side in this Benny Hill-esque gag and just gave me a long, withering Paddington stare. This is no joking matter. ‘sorry Dr Ray..won’t happen again’ I mumbled as I slouched back to my corner of the workshop.

Other major excitement this week was a triple birthday celebration. Founder and chief motivational spannering wizard, Eric, celebrates an as yet un-named birthday. I’m not even going to guess… I’ve been publicly stating ‘45’ as the number and have been practicing my ‘shocked’ face (along with a swift ‘hand-to-cheek’ and accompanying slack-jawed gasp) ready for when the actual number is revealed.

‘No, surely not…. Well, you look great’ (followed by a demand to see passport proof).

Siobhan’s son, Austin, along with Isabel represented the youthful generational celebrations.

The family tucked into birthday cake, a couple of beers and a nice spread of sushi.

Eric opened his fortune cookie, smiled a wry smile and declared that he had been instructed by the gods to procure more classic cars and motorcycles for his growing personal collection.

The following whistle of air you could hear 3 nano-seconds after Eric had read his divine message out loud was the sound of Ingrid’s foot being launched at great pace towards Eric’s shin.

On this occasion contact was narrowly missed and Eric got on with deftly skewering a spicy tuna roll with a bamboo chopstick, oblivious to the closeness of shave.

We’ve had a couple of manifold jobs to sort out this week. A fire breathing MGB and a P38 Range Rover.

The P38 manifold was initially was assumed as inlet (no fingers will be pointed) but was actually exhaust. We sent it off for re-skimming to ensure a perfect gasket fit. Job jobbed.

We are also finalising some of our new facilities build as the air system is scheduled for finally getting upgraded which means the parts washer and blaster cabinets are back on-line.

Let’s finish this week by gently gazing out of the window of the present and over the green, lush meadows of the future. We have decades of combined experience at CCM with Dr Ray, Young Chris, Justin, Eric and Siobhan. But what about the new talent coming through? How do we take this combined knowledge and pass it on to the next generation?

Eric has this week started the process of identifying an apprentice. Someone who can come into the team, bring their excitement and lust for learning and be ready to take on board the skills that have seen our techs develop into the people they are today.

It’s early days but we hope to be able to introduce the new team member soon.

If you’re going to start your engineering career anywhere, what better place than the CCM family. A good first career choice demonstrating a quiet touch of class.

So on that bright note we’ll wrap up this week at CCM. Go steady folks.

Ollie