Classic car mechanic’s weekly motoring – Justice required

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

Something unusual is a-foot at CCM. This week, Eric sent me on a mission to collect Shrimp-eye Justin from one of our local suppliers. On the drive back I thought I would use the opportunity to gently poke him to see if he would reveal the identity of the person who had had the minor mishap in our very own Morris Minor company van (Maureen).

Justin claimed the fifth. This canary was not about to sing. I gave him my absolute word that discretion would be my middle name and that no-one else need ever know. I said he’d feel a lot better if he could get this terrible burden off his chest.

Anyway, Justin was not for breaking. Which leads me to 2 theories as to events on that fateful day.

Theory 1: Shrimp-eye is protecting someone powerful in the organisation. A little like the Watergate scandal, this perhaps goes to the very top of the tree. Maybe the criminal in this case is untouchable. Maybe they feel like they can get away with anything. Maybe the power of it all has gone to their heads and they think that they can go around in the company wagon like it was a bumper car. The more I think about it, the more obvious it gets. Shrimp-eye is protecting the one person who has the power to run a scrupulous political cover up. Maureen was crashed by Eric… it all makes so much sense now….and also explains the guv’nors sharp exit to the continent this weekend.

In case the above is wide of the mark, then theory 2, please take a step into the sunlight. Shrimp-eye was nervous in the car. And you know who gets nervous don’t you? Yep, the guilty.

I’ve got 6 other theories, all involving other members of the CCM crew. One of em has got to be right surely?

Disappointingly, I have no photos from the workshop this week. I do however have several hundred from the 8 shows Shrimp-eye attended this weekend, so a small selection of those will have to do.

If he'd/she'd just driven in front first, they could easily have parked 3 minis in this spot. This sort of blatant waste of space is to be expected from the usual Mini owner doing the old 'isn't-my-car-so-small' stick and hoop routine....

You can never be too careful looking under the bonnet of a classic. Hi-viz vest an absolute minimum. The lady next to our hero is taking her life in her own hands with her recklessly casual attire. Honestly, what sort of an example is that to set to the youngsters eh?!

Nice shirt, nice set of black brogues, camouflaged pants....for when you're in the office and the zombie invasion arrives. Who'll be laughing then? This man, that's who......

Now we're talking. E-type Jag in Orange and all stickered up. Love this. And to the owner/creator, Chapeau!

I saved this from one of Justin's recent shows.... I was waiting for a quiet news week where I'd likely have too many Mini photos and boom, in goes a 911... in this case an incredible 2.7 RS (suspect it may be a replica.... but I'd be happily corrected.) Original or not, it's simply stunning

Another week draws to a close. Will the real culprit fess up? Will Eric return from Europe and feel the need to confess all? Will shrimp-eye be off to a show this weekend? I think we know the answers.

Have a good week one and all.

From the gang at CCM, go steady.

Olli