Page 30 - Aug 2022

The Int erview cont inued from page 29 a car you're interested in to get their feedback.
Most importantly, make sure you can actually fit in
Q. As an independent shop, even though you're able the car and can drive it comfortably.
to fabricate and do work-arounds on classic British Each of these cars has its own personality and you
cars, I have to imagine that it is impossible to be all have to learn what type of personality your car has.
things to all people. With the staff you have how hard If you had, for example, five 1973 MGBs all lined
is it to get a slot in the shop for work and are there up and drove each of them, there would be
cars that you don't work on at all? differences in how they started, how they ran, how
A. At present there are 6 technicians and an office they drove and handled. That is their personality.
In a word the best type of person to own a classic
manager at the shop. We service and restore
antique British cars with a few exceptions. We do car is a reasonable person.
Jaguars 1974 and earlier but no XJs, Rolls Royce Q. OK. Name the three things about a British car that
and Bentleys from 1995-1997, but no Land Rovers. makes you a fan for life.
Anything else is fair game for the most part.
A.
Q. Not everyone who comes to you has a history with
1. The connection; they get into your soul.
British cars. For people who are newer to the
2. The release--when driving your car worldly
adventure and ask for your advice, do you have
cares are absent.
pitfalls that you warn them about?
3. The camaraderie, enjoying great times with
A. I actually wrote a paper detailing what you other owners of LBCs.
should do if you are considering buying any
Q. And conversely, what would be the three
classic car, and it really applies to buying any used
characteristics of British cars that exasperate
car. Spend the most money you can to buy the
owners?
nicest example you can, even if you have to
borrow money, do it. Do NOT buy a project. 1. Lack of creature comforts
Equally important get the car inspected fully and 2. August- OMG, the heat!
OK'd by the person who is going to maintain and 3. January, OMG, the cold!
service the car for you before you buy it.
Q. Fair enough. I'd like to circle back to the founding of
Q. That sounds like great advice, so when you the club and the car culture that you and other long
consider what the hardest thing to repair on a British term members have created. You welcome people
car and give some advice to that prospective new with any sort of vehicles that they love and there is a
owner, what do you tell them? definite couples' presence. To use a word the English
are fond of, the NBCC feels homely.
A. I say that the hardest thing to repair on an LBC
is the mindset of fear and distrust that people, A. The NBCC was never a "boys club" and other
even the people who want to buy one, have. Once local car clubs took notice early on. One of the
I get them confident in their cars it's life changing biggest compliments we get is that spouses are
for them. heavily involved and have been since day one.
Cindy and the other founding mothers wanted to
Q. That makes common sense yet as a Car
be a big part of the club and they've always been
Whisperer you must surely have some philosophical
there for anything that was needed. They also plan
advice to offer to people taking the plunge. What are
their own activities just for the "girls". I seriously
those words of wisdom ?
doubt the club would have lasted this long or been
A. If you're impatient- Stay Away. Be prudent in so successful without them.
your shopping but also in your expectations. Go
Q. Does this mean that Cindy was a petrol head before
to car shows and talk to people who already own
you met her?

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