Classic car mechanic’s weekly motoring – Sentimental

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

Because ‘I’m funny like that’ (as Mrs Olli would say), I keep a fairly close tab on all expenditure on my own 'lil slice of classic car life. I can’t let anyone else see these particular tabs though. There would be a quick scan of the columns, cells and calculations before the reader would stop and stare in slack-jawed astonishment. ‘That thing costs you how much per mile?!!!’

Er…. Much shifting uncomfortably in my seat whilst looking at the window….. ‘oh look, a squirrel’…….

They make no sense (the classic that is, not squirrels). It would be genuinely cheaper getting taxis everywhere.

On my last trip to CCM I noticed something a little amiss with the old 911. On the way there, when I stopped at traffic lights there was what looked like smoke/steam drifting lazily up from the rear of the car (it’s where they keep the engine in these things, so I am led to believe).

On arrival I dragged Eric out of his nest and started pointing with a panicky finger whilst trying not to cry. The rest of the troop landed for opening time not long after and my 4-wheeled money pit was gently pushed toward ramp A.

To cut a short story even shorter, twas the lower water pump. The ghost it seemed had been well and truly given up and the bearing contained therein had gone to meet its maker. As the problem was spotted so quickly – and en route to the garage, no damage was done and it was sorted swiftly out by our young technical wizard, Will (thanking you mon ami, jobs a good ‘un).

Later that evening I confronted the spreadsheet. The brutal reality of owning a car that’s 20 years plus in age is that, like all things in life, they need looking after to keep them in good shape. The cost of this starts to get prohibitive, so as the value of the car usually starts to go down, the proportional cost to maintain it starts to go rise. It’s unsurprising that slightly baggy versions of the model I wheel about in look tremendous value. The grim truth is, if you buy one of those, you will very likely need to budget at least half the purchase price to get it driving sweetly. And driving sweetly is what mine does… and the cost of this pleasure is the investment in maintenance.

The old saying about buying ‘the very best condition’ of the model you choose is very true. Old cars go wrong. They all do. Like us, they wear out over time.

This week in the workshop we had a lovely 8 series BMW. When they were launched they looked sooo futuristic. A grand tourer of the best kind. Sure, a little bit eighties, but even now, kinda cool. I still remember the first one I saw in Liverpool back in the day, apparently it belonged to big Duncan Ferguson (blue-nosed Evertonian hard-man made of 100% toffee). It was just the kinda car footballers liked.

Our one is owned by a lady who is very attached to hers. It was her late father’s pride and joy. It needs a fair bit of love and attention which she is duly giving the old girl. Again, setting her right is not an insignificant task. But when you have a connection with a car, for whatever reason, it transcends the math. Sometimes a black and white numbers game, which doesn’t add up on paper, makes perfect sense when the bigger picture is bought into focus. Like good music, a loved car can anchor you with a moment in time. As well as providing the sheer joy of driving something interesting, maintaining memories is something classics do far better than the latest ‘72’ plate ever can.

Think I might delete the spreadsheet…. Never really liked it anyway.

And so to this week’s workshop pics…

Bit of T-cut and she'll be good for the MOT.....

Sam making an SL's eyes water......'you could have warmed your hands.....'

The Spitfire is starting to take shape...

The iPhone charger wiring is more complicated than you think

It's back! The CCM moowalk executed to perfection. Siobhan was so pleased with her effort, she walked everywhere like this for the whole day

Maureen, the CCM mascot, in a field next to a Midget (car variety)

The mighty Suzuki GSX1400 - Not perhaps the obvious choice as a first whip post bike test.... unless of course you're Siobhan's Jack. Then it is absolutely the obvious choice (go steady mind)

This may actually be a cheaper form of propulsion than the one currently attached to the rear wheels

This is an Austin A30 which has been kitted out for the track. Gotta love a 1957 motor with a coupla red Corbeau's up front

A much-loved 840i. Imposing and at the same time graceful. Lovely

Eric and the gang. What a lovely, lovely snap

And so in a week where it appears the world is eating itself, stay safe, and enjoy the things that are in your control whilst trying to ignore those that are not,

Olli