Classic car mechanic – Panto season and a first birthday

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

The last 2 years have been a bit of a blur. We first all heard noises of Covid in December 2019 and as we moved into 2020 it become mainstream news. Still, wasn’t going to impact us. I remember feeling a little irked that in February 2020 I couldn’t buy toilet roll because someone in Scotland had flu. I feel somewhat daft now and the Feb 20 me would be stunned to think of the journey we’ve all been on had it been unveiled at the time.

2 weeks ago Covid finally caught up with me after infecting nearly a quarter of a billion people. You can run but you can’t hide. I was surprised. Double-jabbing gave me confidence. Turns out this was a little misplaced. The vaccine though has proven to make catching it an awful lot less of a risky proposition.

Eric came to visit me this week. As a boss, he’s a good ‘un…. I think he was just sounding me out as to see when I was likely to resume the critical task of watching and asking stupid questions.

‘Soon Eric, soon’

We took the chance to have a brew. I’ve got 2 Classic Car Mechanic coffee mugs (it’s a contractual obligation) and it was nice to sit down, sup a brew and reflect on the year. And what a year it’s been.

From a ‘one-man-shop’ out of the garage he built in the garden, we now have a busy workshop, a great group of techs, the family in full support and a growing customer base. We have interesting work coming in every day ….a lot to be thankful for. The whole team has played their part in building CCM. We should now think of it as a brand and a successful one at that.

This week’s picture roll is more of a reflection on our first year in business. As we approach the festive season and indeed the CCM Christmas meal this Friday coming, it’s nice to look back and appreciate the journey.

(so my old Jag was the first motor to grace Eric’s newly built home garage, the precursor to the CCM premises we are in today. I feel like I am due a ‘loyal customer’ award of some type…at the very least a lollipop. I miss this old lovely)

(This mk1 golf was the last car through Eric’s old gaff. But where you are last in one sense, you are often first on another)

(December 2020 and the workshop is ready to receive the CCM team…. Mighty empty at this point mind)

(The office (on the left of this pic) has been built and painted. I proudly did some of the painting myself....however I also managed to talk Dr Ray into fitting the ceiling as the roof. I’ve been trusted to do little else since this sorry episode.)

(In a Lewis Hamilton-esque move, from last to first. This golf christened the CCM workshop as the first customer car through our doors)

(Young Chris busy with a job from the very left of field. A day where we had some capacity and a local charity had a busted grass cutter)

(and now bang up to date. We’ve had these Nissan Pulsar gear-selectors CNC’d as they were no longer available. Always eager to find a solution, from lawnmowers to the Japanese hot-hatchery)

(As you’ll remember from the last couple of blogs, we’re in the process of a full restoration on a Triumph Spitfire. Alfie nipped off to college this week and what was his first job? A Triumph Spitfire chassis….. kismet!)

(The panto season is upon us. I know for a fact that Eric is in more than one production for more than one production company. Why hide your talent?! Here we see him getting ready for his big moment as Woody from Toy story…..if he can stay awake that is….)

(the musical version of the recent Netflix box set ‘Narcos’ sees Eric in the lead role. He brings a sensitivity to Pablo Escobar that probably wasn’t there in real life)

(and finally, as if Eric’s waistcoat versatility was ever in doubt, ‘Paul Daniels, the Musical’ underlines the maestro’s master of the sleeveless formal jacket. Go and see it… you’ll like it…..but…)

Christmas is a comin’ and it’s the CCM Christmas meal this Friday. Last year we huddled round a barely finished office and shared a mince pie. This year the CCM family is twice as big and can look back on 2021 as the year of growth in challenging circumstances. Getting here during a global pandemic is no mean feat and if I was allowed to wear a hat, I’d tip it to one and all.

Next week we’ll get back to some of the cherished residents at CCM, but in the meantime, what a year… it’s been great to be involved!

From Eric, Siobhan, Tasha, Dr Ray, Shrimp-eye Justin, Young Chris, Izzi, Ingrid, Alfie and ‘Will-I-aint’ (long story) take it steady one and all.

Olli