This week's lovelies fettled by Classic Car Mechanics!

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

It’s nearly a month since the boys and girls at Classic Car Mechanic opened the doors to the new premises at Passfield Mill Business Park. Since then there has been a steady ramping up of activity as the workshop tightens itself down into a steady rhythm of activity.

This last week has been the busiest so far with a real range of ‘old and new’ cars to keep the team busy and interested.

Apart from being a rag depository for the techs in the workshop, I secretly drive a an L322 Range Rover. Last week the battery completely gave up the ghost. I couldn’t even open the car with the fob. A faulty alternator was the prime suspect, so a quick word with Eric secured a slot in the schedule for a new one to be fitted.

‘How difficult can it be?’ I said. Eric is no stranger to the L322 as my example was actually his originally, replaced by a newer version a few years back.

‘It’ a bit fiddly’ said Eric, ‘but we can sort it’.

Justin was the lead tech on this particular job and ‘a bit fiddly’ is probably akin to calling a Piranha ‘a bit nippy’. I’d had a quick peek at a couple of YouTube videos to see what was involved. Blimey. Not something you want to attempt unless you’re a professional!

The car was finished, cleaned and looking great. I suspect Justin, who seemed completely unfazed by this particular job, can probably thread a needle at 20 paces, blindfold, whilst juggling.

A lovely selection of classic stuff, the bread and butter of CCM, has been through the technicians hands this week.

An absolutely stunning Borgward Isabella, a beauty that was first restored 20 years ago, was in for an overhaul and health check, ready for the summer season. Brakes which needed re-lining, a new brake cylinder and a cracked rear axle which needed also needed to be renewed as spares are sparse!

In the corner of the workshop I spotted a blast from my TV past. I used to love watching M*A*S*H and right there was a good old Willys Jeep! Parts for the carb service kit were sourced from America and the team also had to deal with a live issue with an overheating starter motor. I looked around half expecting to see Radar or Hawkeye. What I actually saw was ‘Hot-lips’ Collins giving me a funny look!

A customer’s midget is also going back home shortly. A long-term project which this week has seen Ray complete an engine and gearbox re-sealing to sort the oil leaks and a completely new roof and frame.

Alongside the midget the team have been working closely with a customer who is completing his Riley restoration project. Amongst other things, the techs have refitted his overhauled gearbox. Apparently Rileys make great bangers…. Not sure what qualifies them as such, but this one is waaaaay to nice for that sort of use.

The work the team have been commissioned to do on the Morris Minor pick up truck nears completion. Parts again having to be sourced from America, parts which had originally been produced in the UK and exported, were needed to move this longer-term project along before it goes back to its owner who is refurb-ing the body and finishing of the mechanicals himself.

Modern machines including a Clio and a Peugeot and a VW Eos with a leaking roof have also been tended to whilst next week a Rover P5, and vans both camper and Citroen HY amongst other things land in Ray, Justin and Chris’ lift bays.

So there you have it, new to old, from bangers to M*A*S*H, commissioned work and collaborations, never a dull moment and always an interesting job just around the corner.

Finally, happy birthday to Chris who celebrates the passing of another year this weekend. 30 again is it Chris? Maybe he'll give me a small cake instead of just feeding me his cast-off cleaning rags. I can only live in hope.

Stay safe and we'll see you and your pride and joy soon at Classic Car Mechanic.

Olli