Classic car mechanic’s weekly motoring – ICE still rules

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

In recent years there has been a huge uptick in the manufacturing and purchasing of electric vehicles. This trend was supported, encouraged even, by government legislation. We’ve got a climate change agenda which the political folk are keen to align themselves to, and we have a commercial world where car manufacturers are looking to compete.

Tesla undoubtedly not only stole a march on competitors, but they drove the industry with attractive tech which aimed squarely at those who could afford it and wanted to feel good about Elon’s mission. That statement may be a little disingenuous, but there is a thread of truth in there which talks to the motivations of those buying ‘em.

I felt a natural negative reaction toward electric initially. I love machines and engineering. But for driving/riding pleasure, the engine, the noise it makes, the power characteristics it has, is such a fundamental part of what I enjoy, removing it completely whilst making perfect sense on the spreadsheet and from technical lens, somewhat misses the whole point about driving.

And here’s the rub. Elon, and to a large degree most of the current electric manufacturers, talk of technology and convenience (and of course saving the world), but where is the thrill of driving pleasure?

In the last 5 years we’ve come an awful long way, main-steam car companies have shifted strategy toward electric programmes (driven by the governments 2030 commitment to end new car making for petrol & diesel models), and whilst incentives were high and electric prices low, the punters lapped them up.

But electric prices are now high and crucially, the charging infrastructure just isn’t there. The latter is going to become a defining issue it feels to me. At my local motorway service station there are 16 Tesla superchargers which cost £1m to fit and won’t be online for another couple of months because the National Grid isn’t able to supply the electric demand they will produce. This problem is going one way and one way only.

This combination of factors sees demand for electric cars reducing and manufactures scaling back production just when we need to be massively expanding the infrastructure.

I’ve also a nagging feeling that somewhere on the ‘electric spreadsheet’ the maths doesn’t quite add up in terms of green credentials. Let’s not delve too deep into the issue of mining rare Earth minerals and the like, I have a brave (maybe stupid, maybe even short-sighted) set of predictions;

· The problems are going to get bigger before they get smaller (and may require government support/intervention to alleviate)

· The government will bend on their 2030 commitment

· An alternative solution will emerge (Hydrogen?) and if it does;

o Tesla stocks will take a beating (unless of course they can pivot, don’t bet against that)

o Car makers will pressure governments to support the U-turn they will likely make

· Niche manufactures may be better placed to deal with the fall-out... Aston Martin could be a winner here

· I’ll still love combustion engines deeply

Petrol will be around for a long time and I truly believe that the classic car/bike scene will only grow, whatever happens to alternative power solutions. This is good news for us at CCM as this is the basket within which we’ve placed a good proportion of our eggs.

Right, that’s one soapbox kicked back underneath the seat, let’s get onto some of the photos from Passfield Towers this week….and what a week! A strong showing at a different type of soapbox – the ‘Bordon 2023 Soapbox Derby’, saw the team bag a very creditable 2nd, beating Team Mercedes (fully factory sponsored with George R driving) and only narrowly losing out to team REME. Massive congrats to all involved. Great team effort but a particular shout-out to Duncan our welding wizard for crafting the beast and Lewis for committed driving duties.

CCM…. It’s either petrol & diesel power, or human power…. We’re ignoring all other options for the time being!

This lil beauty was voted 'car of the week'..... we have a very big soft spot for Minis

Lewis fettling under the watchful eye of the (still for sale) Aprilia

(....ok, I promise that's the last obvious sales pitch)

Eric and I have a new toy ....just need to pay for it now....

(hence sale of the Priller....ok ok, defo the last mention!)

I love everything about this.... the colour (who doesn't love a yellow soft-top....!) the wheels.... perfectly proportioned British classic

Most of this week's photos show the techs in exactly this position. Roy in the foreground and Jim in the background

...and to prove a point, Keith and Shrimp eye....... Keith, where's ya water bottle man, you're going to dehydrate!... Ingrid, I think it may be worth updating the 'CCM polo shirt order

Justin multi-tasking. Dynamic stretches and jacking up the car of the week. Keeping fit and fettling classics at the same time. Upstairs for thinking....downstairs for dancing

Simon applying the. finishing touches to a recent patient

I've got a massive soft spot for the 300 Jag/Daimler series. Here we see a Daimler (LWB) in for some welding I believe

I think this is my favourite of the week. The design is as sensational as it was unusual and in this example, a stunningly understated colour

Lewis & Josh on that gorgeous yellow MG

......Master and Grasshopper. Snr Tech Lewis keeps a steady eye. What a great place to learn your craft

....you think the exterior looks good......?

.....well just check out the interior....!

Alfie is ready to push..... Lewis is busy visualising every inch of the track....

Before the race and it's all smiles..... 30 seconds later, game faces were deployed and serious business commenced

Either Lewis is sitting down or Alfie is 9ft 8in.....either way, we're not going to be beaten by Superdry in a cycling hat, that'd for sure......We mean business

This boy can dance....despite the dodgy foot...

The extended CCM family... under a tree like a pride of lions.... Siobhan has spotted a limping gazelle... 2 minutes and a quick ankle tap later and lunch was ready