Classic car mechanic’s weekly motoring – Expansion

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

The doors opened here at CCM in January 2020 and our first classics quickly rolled through the doors.

It’s been a journey and a half since then with literally hundreds of cars fettled, serviced, improved and in some cases, fully restored.

I remember a few years earlier I had been one of Eric’s early customers. As a one-man-band he’d just built himself a large double garage at the family home as I wheeled around in a Jaguar XJR, busily keeping BP profitable burbling around in leather and walnut clad calm.

So, why did I choose to do an 80-mile round trip to get the Jag serviced and looked after by Eric at the bottom of his garden when there were many more options local to me? Trust. An ex-military engineer who can re-build a Chieftain Tank engine with his eyes closed wins hands down against the local grease monkey. And when you find skilled trades and crafts people, you never ever let ‘em go. Ever. In addition, I thought to myself, if I stick with this guy, then maybe one day I’ll be able to hold down gainful employment in the ‘handing out of workshop rags’ department.

And so, the dream came to pass.

Since then, Eric and the extended team have looked after a succession of my motors, including Eric and I’s much criticised joint ownership adventures with one or two fast motorcycles.

Looking at where the business has come from to where it is today....what a journey.

We’ve now got 3 units, more ramps than I can shake a stick at, MOT capability on its way shortly, all run by a committed team of skilled and enthusiastic technicians. Pulling this puzzle together we’ve got Ingrid, Siobhan and Eric in the office managing our customers needs, the dizzying array of trusted suppliers, the spares ordering, the work pipeline and all the comms and marketing that’s needed to develop and run our family business.

So, in a shameless plug for ‘what we do’, if you have a classic or even a modern that needs simple servicing all the way through to open heart surgery, give the gang a call. I’d certainly go nowhere else.

Next week I’ll return to my usual inane ramblings loosely connected to all things classics and motoring (deep squint required) .

Roll this week’s gallery…..

Olli

Back in the day Crims had a more than fair chance of getting away from old Bill. Here's why. (Meanwhile in the background the local coppers unload 30 classic car fans held on the trumped up charges ranging from 'wearing a hat in anger' to 'pretending to like sprouts'. Britain has changed. I blame Brexit)

I need no excuses to include pictures of Porsches, and so here's a picture of Porsches

Our friend in blue is currently prime suspect in the shocking 'theft of rear wheel' scandal that's sweeping the nation

Ah, first Jag in the old workshop. Since then, the standard of Eric's customer has improved....immeasurably

Eric has a strong suspicion on the identity of the person who left the loo seat up. We haven't heard the last of this....

Too many questions.....

No idea what a 'later pump' is, but we've just stripped one from an engine...

Shrimp eye Justin demonstrating his 'Salmon tickling' technique on an old Honda. Moments later, fluids were out

Our new copywriter. Effective, but has been known to steal biscuits. Probation extended as a precaution

Roll up, roll up, have we got an offer for you..............

Genuine heroes, no capes needed. Our chosen charity for the year with donations going to help support service men and woman adapt to life after military service.