Classic car mechanic – 4-stroke whelks

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

There are 2 types of significant change in life. A Liverpool fan suddenly switching allegiances and becoming a Man U fan, now that’s a shock conversion of epic magnitude.

On the other hand, a green classic MGB renewing its key suspension components, whilst technically a shock conversion (groans all round I suspect), the change is much more straight forward and far less controversial. The first would likely get you disowned from family and friends, the second would likely see you more planted on the road and safely on your way back to Anfield.

(for clarity, this is the second example of a shock conversion. No photos exist of the first type.)

This week there have been 2 other significant changes at CCM towers. Firstly, we have (finally) had the remaining over-head lights fitted. The difference is stunning. Whilst you can’t really pick it up in the photos, the techs can now sharpen their loving gaze with extra clarity and focus on the works of art for which we act as temporary custodians.

Shrimp eye Justin took our newest team member under his wing this week. Alfie was hoping to further enhance his technical knowledge by shadowing our very own Wizard of electricals, but I think this shot is a demonstration of either the moon walk (standard Shrimp behaviour) or the hokey cokey. Whilst not technically relevant to classics, we like to think of it more as passing on of genuine life skills to the next generation.

(As an aside, shrimp eye had been feasting on whelks the previous evening and suspects there may have been a dodgy one in the batch. Anyone spending any time with Justin on Friday was advised to have a bucket close to hand just in case the whelks decided on a second coming.....might want to have a hose at the ready too.)

Just to show that our newest team member is already adding value, here we see Alfie poly bushing.

(I’ve had to ask Eric for an explanation. I don’t know Polly and I am unclear as to why she needs bushing.)

For any new team member, once settled in, Eric tends to ask them to do a quick lunch-time talk on an element of motor mechanics. This week, Alfie took the given task of explaining the 4-stroke cycle to the assembled techs. Succinct, accurate and to the point. That was the gaffer’s summary. It is in stark contrast to the now infamous, nay legendary talk that Young Chris gave entitled ‘suck, squeeze, bang, blow’. Since that episode Eric has always been at pains to be very clear in his instructions so as not to cause confusion and general upset.

And so from the expanded team at CCM, we’ll leave you this week. It’s mid-September, can you quite believe it?!

What does next week have in store? Will Shrimp eye be off whelks for life? Will Alfie have picked up the moonwalk? Will Doctor Ray have finally built a dovevote for Clive the dove? Will young Chris have a stab at a family-version of his 4-stroke cycle?

Let’s see shall we.

So, from the CMM crew, Eric, Siobhan, Dr Ray, Shrimp-eye Justin, Young Chris, Izzi, Ingrid and new tech Alfie, have a great day.

Olli

Ps.. Huge congratulations to Ingrid on passing the first round of her motorcycle test. Great effort and we look forward to seeing you progress on your 2-wheeled journey.