Classic car mechanic’s weekly motoring–Going, going, gone: Pt Deux

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

I had the prospect of an unusually free weekend 7 days ago. Whilst chatting to Eric he foolishly revealed that he’d got himself a ticket to go to the ‘Practical Classic Car & Restorations Show’ at the NEC in Birmingham so I leapt at the opportunity of filling my personal time void and immediately invited myself demanding Eric buy me a ticket. With a weary raise of an eyebrow he agreed (after trying to find literally anyone else to go with… grandchildren, daughter, wife, all options were tested out before he accepted the inevitable shadow for a day of wandering).

We met at 9am just as doors were opening. Eric had opted for a pair of pink trousers. Not too pink, but a shade Ingrid would later explain as ‘white-trousers-in-washing-machine-mix-up-with-red-pants’. It was a strong look.

Centre stage of the show was the ‘Classic Car Auction’. Eric quickly registered to bid. Game on. Last week we’d bagged a Jag, this week, the world was our lobster, Rodney. Back in Liphook Ingrid’s inbuilt ‘Eric-about-to-buy-crap’ antenna pinged.

The car that we both immediately gravitated toward was a 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II in ‘Willow Gold over Highland Green’. It had just 15k miles on the clock and was in sensational condition. Sitting in this hand-build piece of genuine British luxury had my mind wandering to a long road trip, gently floating serenely through the mountains of Wales, with Mrs Olli next to be, massively embarrassed to being seen in public in a car registered before 2016. Ah, happy days.

The Roller ended up going for £37k. In my mind, this is such a good price. It’s a time warp classic car, likely to be one of the best in the world. If I had the funds, I’d have the car, it’s as simple as that.

The second Roller was 7 years younger. A long wheelbase Silver Spur, the one that looked like it was off the set of Thunderbirds. This style has certainly not aged as well as the Silver Shadow, but god, I do love a boxy eighties mega-saloon.

The other less attractive feature of this one was its colour. Cream. For some reason it doesn’t quite work with the car. Had it have been ‘Peacock Blue, I’m convinced this car would have sold for over its estimate. As it was, it went unsold and is now available on a ‘buy it now’ offer of £9.7k.

OK, it’s got 69k miles, but inside this thing is pure opulence. The condition and craftsmanship of the woodwork, the patina of the thick Connolly leather. Eric and I both sat in the back together to get a proper appreciation of the LWB experience that previously chauffer driven occupants may have had. I then attempted to get out and found that the right-hand passenger door had a child lock. If Eric couldn’t open his door we’d both be stuck in the backseat of an 80’s Roller like a couple of lemons. What if the auction started and you’ve got us two in there, smiling meekly as the car went under the hammer?

‘Lot 344 is this lovely 1986 Silver Spur. I must point out that it will not be supplied with the pink trousered Bert and Ernie in the back seats, although you may be able to bid for them separately’…..

Luckily, we managed to escape via Eric’s door.

Back at CCM base things are heating up. The new unit, complete with MOT bay is now nearly finished. All the ramps are in, the new roller doors are on, and real customer work will be starting any day.

This has been a truly herculean effort by each and every member of the team. All the gang have been digging deep to get the new facility up and running and when you visit with your classic, you’ll see how much of a difference the new premises make. Our big focus now is getting on with our current pipeline of classics and getting the new workshop humming.

Our very own three-way owned classic, the 1986 Jag Sovereign, has had some love and attention from yours truly last Sunday. I’ve cleaned and conditioned all the leather work, literally the only job I’ll be allowed to do. I don’t mind admitting that I did a great job but ultimately let myself down by taking the keys home with me. Luckily not one of our gracious techs laughed out loud when I tried to sneak them back quietly the next day. Again, my position at the bottom of the CCM talent pool has been further validated.

And so, to my plan for today. That Silver Spur is still on the website. Will Eric buy in to my cunning plan for a low-ball offer and then a respray in ‘Peacock Blue’?

I can hear Ingrid’s antenna pinging already.

Stay safe out there mes petits fans de voitures classiques.

Au revior

Olli

Just drink in the sheer beauty

OK, ignore the colour, instead imagine being behind the wheel of this ship as you float through the countryside...

The classic car show some had some more modern whips going through at a song. Under £5k for a supercharged Jag.... where do I sign...?

Another show highlight, YouTuber and fellow scouser, Gary Mather's Corniche. Stunning. Check out his channel to get a glimpse of his journey of steady restoration (https://www.youtube.com/@classic.obsession)

Eric the Salmon reminisces about cars from his past

Not many people know that Duncan used to be a dairy farmer. True that.....

Back at school, Will 'I am' pleads his innocence following accusations of flicking paper at Izzi. Teacher Eric listens patiently to the evidence.

Our new ramps are eco-friendly and use honey as hydraulics. True that.....

Cleaned and conditioned leather. Driver's bolster needs some TLC. Out of shot keys are firmly in pocket

Orange gloves for mechanical stripping (and gardening), white gloves for gearbox oil work (and snooker umpiring)

Duncan leads the charge on CCM's 'Winning Smile' week

Lewis a close second, Izzi doesn't like to smile and look at the same time and I think Eric's smile was shot when I said I was coming the Birmingham with him...