Lockdown – what did you do?

111 days locked down and if someone asked what you did, what would you say?

Don’t worry, this took me a while, too. But when writing this months newsletter for you I needed a hero article so found myself asking this very question…

I pressed again, and to be fair, I was able to pleasantly surprise myself.

So, In reverse order and among other things we bought a company car, we enhanced and sold a fellow owners Individual E46 M3 which was in store at our Ware site, we replaced the window rubbers on an R32 Skyline and finally, after a herculean effort managed to get ‘Reggie’, a lovely little Austin 1100 back on the road! Oh, and just in case you hadn’t noticed we also re designed our website?

Although it’s not 8PM applause worthy I have to say, looking back (what a nice thing to hopefully say be able to say, ‘looking back’) on it we managed to not only keep the lights on but also help some of you out with the odd project or two.

In the meantime, have a cruise around the new site and let us know what you think, we’d of course welcome any ideas or feedback.

As always, anything you need as things wake back up just give us a shout – here’s to a great bounce back.

Richard and Tim

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6 wo-man meets

We’re going to start opening the meets back up slowly with a view to host a few 6 wo-man meets, likely at the Broxbourne site out on the veranda. Don’t worry, I’ll personally sanitise the area for discarded coil springs and spent oil!

So, if you fancy an escape to GQ for a natter with a few fellow owners just let us know via the count me in button on the email or below and we’ll sort the rest.

Tim

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The Empress – A BMW E39 523i Touring

We weren’t actually looking but while taking an owners M3 for an MOT at our local station Richard spotted this.

“You’ll buy any BMW, Richard.” Shouted the owner, clearly friends from many a previous fail, sorry, test.

I have to admit, it wasn’t love first sight for me – particularly in SE guise. But after a nose around it looked like a straight car. Original paint, unmarked original finished alloys, she even appears to be wearing the supplying main dealer plates along with 2 keys and their matching key rings. And yes, ladies and gentleman, yes, it still has the torch in the glovebox – it just kept on giving.

But wait, there’s more, she’s the rarer 5-speed manual and has only covered 96k. We’ll take it. There and then – GQ’s first car.

Don’t get me wrong, it needs some love. Driving feels more akin to a struggling hovercraft and it’s 50/50 whether you’ll get out of the T-junction alive but it’s all good fun and nothing we can’t sort.

There’s been a few debates about building an M5 Touring that never was or even loading the Sport bits to make a cool pool car. But the current likelihood is that we’ll detail, service and sort anything she needs and help her find a new home.

In the meantime, if you need us you’ll most likely find us squabbling in the Broxbourne area over who’s driving next!

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Latest arrivals

Huge welcome to our latest arrivals – be sure to join an up coming owners event to meet them in the flesh.

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Lockton Insurance Partner

Choosing the right insurance partner isn’t an exact science – but from experience, Lockton have provided exceptional service when it comes to our personal cars.

That’s why we have set up something special for GQ owners with Lockton so that you too can benefit from our approved insurance partner.

As a GQ owner you’ll get your very own account manager, Matthew Haynes. If you would like to discuss your needs please give Matthew a call on 07415 330980. All you need to do is let him know you are a GQ customer and he’ll do the rest. Alternatively you can visit them here to find out more...

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Garage to rent in Hertfordshire

Garage to rent in Hertfordshire

“If you’re looking to rent a garage in Hertfordshire then we hope you’ll learn from our experience and come straight to us.”

The majority of owners in store with us all say that they had no idea we even existed, including the owner of this Zenith blue 993 911 Turbo who had previously only been looking for a garage to rent in Hertfordshire. When we came to collect her with our trailer the battery was flat, as were the tyres and condensation was building up inside.

That might sound familiar, it was to Richard and I, too. We have both been through the same frustrating experience with our personal cars – more on that story here if you’re interested.

So, the idea of this post is to try and let you folks know where we are, what we offer, and if you’re reading this then we’ve gone some way in achieving that goal!

We have a few locations in the Hertfordshire and Essex areas – with car storage units in Ware, Broxbourne, Bishops Stortford, Buntingford and Epping. I think the best way to describe us in a nutshell is a car concierge.

Long hand that’s an insured, secure and discreet car storage facility with 24/7 easy access and self service options. We also support owners with on site restoration and detailing. On from there we have 2 trailers and can come and collect/loan/deliver/drop you or the car anywhere in the UK and beyond.

Basically, in our view each owner and cars needs vary so everything is a simple conversation rather than rules and regulations.

Have a browse around and if you’re looking to rent a garage in Hertfordshire we think you’ll find us the perfect fit.

Or simply call Tim on: 07778 209 057

Garage to rent in Ware

Garage to rent in Ware

“I vowed that day I would never rent a garage in WarE AGAIN”

18th December 2011 – believe it or not, this was how GQ Car Storage started. Renting a garage in Ware to to keep my new toys safe and dry.

Amazingly enough I used to squeeze my Z4M in and then tuck the CBR side ways across the front. I was so excited that day.

Unfortunately that was where the good news ended – I recall the front bumper used to catch as I reversed it in, there was a leak in the back right hand corner and the door would jam half way up. On one occasion I even turned up to find someone had fly-tipped a bathroom suite outside the garage door!

I was so determined to make it work I ended up trying to sort the leak (I lined the garage with plastic), I even fitted a solar panel in an attempt to run a trickle charger. But the final straw was arriving one day to find the garage door open and the bike damaged on its side, in an attempt to steal one assumes. They must have had quite a shock as I used to lock it to the car! In hindsight I rather wish I hadn’t tbh as they made a real mess. To add insult to injury a month or so later the solar panel went misusing.

I vowed that day I would never rent a garage again in Ware. …and, coincidentally after sharing the experiences with Richard, who was renting a garage in Broxbourne at the time (I say a garage, probably several) it seemed I wasn’t alone with my frustrations – and so GQ was born…

Or simply call Tim on: 07778 209 057

Owners Care Package

Owners Care Pack

In addition to our daily, weekly and monthly maintenance checks we wanted to offer owners a more cost effective care option for your regular maintenance.

So, with that in mind we’ve introduced an owners care pack which not only offers a saving it more importantly helps ensure the condition and value of your car is maintained.

The pack consists of:

1. Unlimited maintenance washing.

2. 24/7 access and concierge support.

3. Self service.

4. Super soft car cover.

5. A CTEK charger.

6. Access all GQ locations.

7. Lounge access and complementary GQ event tickets.

8. Spare part storage.

9. 10% off GQ services such as detailing, project work and restoration.

10. Live video steam (Currently in beta testing).

11. Ramp access for underbody inspections.

12. Lifts and collection for you or your car to and from local bodyshops, garages, train stations etc.

13. Bi-Monthly onsite exercise for longer term storage. (To be agreed on a case by case basis).

14. MOT and annual service reminders.

15. Long term insurance cover. (Value to be agree in advance).

If you’d like any more info please feel free to get in touch or ask us a question next time you’re in.

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