Classic car mechanic’s weekly motoring – Heatwave

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

I distinctly remember 1977 as being the year we had a heatwave. Memories may well blur but I have a collected jumble of them which include heat, Olivia Newton-John, John Travolta, camping in a tent, the village of Bakewell, ice-creams and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Now, as an 8 year-old that’s a hulluva lot to have rollin’ round in your young head at one time. If I was to pick the top 3 it would likely be the tent, ice-cream and Olivia N-J….. but a close 4th would be the Aston. That particular shape has driven an enduring love for big coupés. And frankly, the bigger the better.

A shark-nosed BMW 635 was my first ownership experience of this type of thing and I adored that car. Inside, everything was leather. The seats, the door cards, the dash, the roof even the sun visors, all leather. Probably the most anti-vegan car I’ve owned.

Near the top of my imaginary wish-list is the old Bentley Continental T. Bigger, badder and likely even more destructive to the bovine world. But amazing though the Conti is, the absolute cream of the crop was the Vantage. There is something very special about that car. I believe it took a fair bit of inspiration from the Mustang (I’m hazy on details and definitely not an expert) but you can kinda see the similarities.

When I was in the workshop this week I was stopped dead in my tracks. On the ramps was a stunning Aston DBS. Older than my dream Vantage, but the shape is still utterly recognisable. The colour of this one though, wow. Simply stunning. The photos later do not do adequate justice to what this beauty looks like in the flesh.

I quickly looked round to see if I could spot Olivia with the ice-cream but only saw Eric with the flip-chart. It didn’t have quite the same impact.

This particular DBS has been with us for a while being gently fettled along with a more comprehensive suspension re-fresh. The owner very kindly agreed to let Eric use her to take young Izzi to her prom.

I’ll bet that the DBS was most certainly the classiest of the arrivals for the class of 22. Saying ‘yes’ to someone borrowing your pride and joy should not be underestimated. It’s a beautiful machine and let’s not forget, of significant value. But what our customer has done by being so generous is to help forge a lovely memory on a young gal's last day at school. Priceless.

So let’s move on to this week. Of course, Shrimp eye Justin has been out and about to yet more car shows and my old Porker has had new discs fitted to stop the ‘wobbly-under-braking’ feel at the wheel. We’ve also had a team ‘lunch and learn’ session where Eric and Siobhan reviewed the business numbers with the gang. The profit and loss may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but ways to improve our business come from everyone, so sharing this sort of detail can really help generate ideas!

Right, go steady out there this week. Sun cream and hydration. And if you can have an ice cream or two, who knows, maybe it will get the chills multiplyin’ (groan).

What's wrong with mini drivers? They just have to be different don't they. 'Nope, we're going to park 4 foot back, just to highlight the visual impact of shortness'. Honestly, it's just attention-seeking at best, a cry for help at worst

Shrimp eye's baby... now with added flag-ery

Burton. I bought my first ever suit there. It looked better on the dummy in the shop than it did on the dummy doing the purchasing with his new 87% APR Burton card (only just paid off I should add). Lotus Cortina splendid don't you think

Shrimp eye has his glasses on. He's in no mood to be trifled with. Certainly not by a recalcitrant car part that's for sure. Moments later, whatever part that is was fitted to that classic which I can't immediately name. (And that my friends tells you why I'm allowed nowhere near anything important in the workshop)

There's a story here somewhere. Maureen, the CCM Morris, has had some sort of minor prang. I've asked questions, but only get silence and awkward looks in return. I suspect someone inside the circle of trust is to blame but 'no one has seen anything'. Investigations continue whilst Duncan gets busy with what looks like Harry Potter's wand

Izzi and the proud parents about to depart for Prom

Izzi and her chum Shannon about to be delivered to the ball by our stunning DBS. They all look amazing

I can't tell you how good this colour looks in the flesh

More fun than Olivia Newton-John in a tent in Bakewell. My 'Priler is for sale for a very reasonable sum. This motorcycle is 'box of frogs' mad, but very good fun. Interested parties in this utterly shameless plug should give Eric a bell (Just as an FYI, I would be willing to accept an Aston in exchange. Just putting that out there)

The full resto on the Spitfire continues. This is going to be magical when done!

Not one we've seen, but this is my dream GT and the genetic link is all too clear with our friend the DBS. Another amazing paint colour

Not wishing to bang on about Astons, but is this probably one of the best rear shots in the motoring world? I am as we speak googling the current value of 'an arm and a leg' to see if I can make the maths work

Nope. Not a clue

This could have been me in 1977. Well, apart from the red shoes that is. I wonder what picture will end up in the collective psyche that will epitomise the 2022 heatwave?

That's it for this week. Go steady out there my little chickens, it's going to be a warm one.

Olli