What's on the ramp?

You know the feeling – It’s Saturday evening, you’re a bottle of red deep, you’ve completed your Auto Trader saved searches and ended up getting lost in Sweden on Collecting Cars.

That’s when it happens.

We’re talking lightning bolts. The sound of angelic harps. When everything else in the room fades away. …and there she (he/her/him) is, your first real car and you’ve got to have it.

I’m not sure if I’ve just aired my typical evening routine but I suspect this is likely what happened to this fellow owner when he spotted his one true love. A Toyota MR2 on eBay.

It’s the perfect Saturday night surf. Two seats, mid-engine, 80’s vents, spoilers, pop-up headlights, you name it. As if all that wasn’t enough, the owner only had a matching spec example in period! Original photo of a photo above. (If you don’t know what that means you should stop reading now).

Another glug of Cab, a click later and she was his.

A week or so later, I get the call, “I’ve done a thing”. Or words to the effect. I’m not sure who was more excited at this point…

Once I got the car on the ramp I could see what we were dealing with and I suspect the previous owner had been a tad creative with the last MOT.

However, the mileage stacked up, the service history was good and there were a fair few spare parts. But the ace card was the doppelganger colour combo which simply pulled every nostalgic string possible. So, we got to work.

As with any car, we discussed the pros, cons and options at length. This stage went on for 3 months in fact. Finally, we align that we’re not aiming to hit Pebble Beach on this one. Simply to recapture nostalgic heyday memories, safely.

What a lovely brief.

I rather like starting with an independent pre-MOT in case we have missed anything so we settled on stage one being an underside refurbishment and general restoration.

The rear of the car had previously been worked on so we inherited a style which helped answer further considerations and kept it easier on the wallet. A real rabbit run can happen under here but most of the bushes were OK so some areas could remain for another day. Post scary stuff came the making good and or replacement of the suspension components and brakes.

One clean MOT pass later and our work here is done. When I say done, I mean nowhere near done. We will now be moving onto the bodywork which I’ll share with you in another instalment.

See you next Saturday!

A few candid photos of the exact car the owner had in period – if anyone knows of it’s where abouts please reach out.

The authenticity of a photo of a photo – also helpful wheel reference for upcoming referb.

Whoops!

We’ve all been there.

That crunching sound and your heart sinks. You brace yourself as you tip-toe around to check the damage. And that’s when it’s your turn to be hit, arguably the harder part to deal with.

“Can you help”, you ask. I scratch my head and think, you know what, I know just the person. And while I would love to say I set out to offer these supporting services, the truth is – you have created them.

It seems that, upon reflection, we have become the go-to for many such solutions, what started as a guide of who not to use, has morphed into “we can do it better”. Our priority is always to give you the best, so when we saw substandard work elsewhere, we expanded our offering.

In many cases, these parts are NLA, so from progressive 3D printing techniques to more traditional crafts persons, please welcome a new blog series called “Whoops!”

In this case, a 360 fibreglass bumper had an unfriendly meeting with a bollard. The fibres of the material aren’t for your average smart repairer, it’s a really specialist job, and it needs specialists to do the work.

Even if you can find someone that can work with fibreglass, most mobile works trip themselves up when it comes to the spraying. However, we have our own ventilated tent which we are able to work inside - it’s pretty standard but has since formed part of our recipe. The photo gallery below will show you every step of the process and how we avoided a huge bill-shaped headache.

It goes without saying that if you ever find yourself in a situation like this, even the odd scratch and scrape to chips and dents, we would love to help. Click the link below or drop us a line to find out more.

Movers and shakers Q4

The warmest of welcomes to our newest cars and owners – thank you for your trust and welcome once again.

Storage Executive

Are you completely obsessed with cars, car care and everything surrounding customer experience and vehicle presentation? This might just be the role for you!

We are currently looking for both full and part-time people to join the team in and around the Epping, Ware and Bishop’s Stortford areas.

The ideal candidate needs to be either a huge petrolhead or have a proven track record in and around vehicles, customer service, hospitality or simply have a credible caring way about them with high attention to detail.

Fully training will be given, the salary will be based on experience and you will need to hold a full UK driving licence.

Ongoing support and training with bonus targets and further growth opportunities within the business will be provided.

If you think this is for you please get in touch via the usual channels or message us below.

Car Storage in Gosfield

Car Storage in Gosfield

GQ Car Storage in Gosfield is covered by our Braintree FACILITy so you can be confident that your pride and joy is safe, secure and easily accessible.

Local experts

A full service Car Storage solution covering Gosfield, provided by 2 local owners that have lived in the area and specialised in classic and modern classic car storage in Gosfield for over 20 years.

Insured, Safe and Discreet

Comprehensively insured against fire, theft and damage with an insurance approved and managed security system including independent CCTV as well as guard patrol, gates, and bollards at exits – vehicle keys are also kept offsite.

Easy 24/7 access

Rather than rules and regulations access is unrestricted, with 24/7 self serve options available including collection and delivery in open or covered trailers.

To find out more about our car storage in Gosfield or to enquire about availability enter your details below and we’ll be in touch or alternatively you can call Tim on: 07518 313041

Alternatively you can call: 07518 313041 or email info@gqcarstorage.co.uk to discuss your car storage in Gosfield needs.

So, whether you are looking for classic or modern classic car storage, supercar storage, motorbike storage, jet ski storage, caravan storage or even need to store a family heirloom, 1/4 mile dragster or an ice cream truck – whatever your car storage in Gosfield needs are we would love to hear from you.

Local experience – Hot Numbers

I say local, it’s a 25 minute cruise from the Ware facility and 45 from the Epping branch. However, make sure you come off the A10 soon as pos and take the scenic route up via the B1368. Will see you meandering through lovely villages and out into national speed limits - rinse and repeat as you wish.

The roastery comprises a cafe, bakery and coffee training facility. It has a kind of a rural Shoreditch feel to it with reclaimed furniture and creative folk with facial tattoos pouring your drinks!

So, what better excuse do you need to grab your car? Could even make a day of it and head onto Duxford Aerodrome.

Hot Numbers Roastery - Shepreth
Wrights Mowers,
Dunsbridge Turnpike
Royston
SG8 6RB

Top Tip; they open at 7AM so if you want the B1368 all to yourself you can get in and out before the milkman!

You’re welcome.

Changing hands

The concept of something being available off market first came to my attention back in my commuting days. An E36 M3 (surprise). The owner used to park up each day in a different M Car and head off past me on the platform and into the First Class carriage. I couldn’t help myself but speak with him. (No, it was’t Richard).

You can probably see what’s coming here.... It was a black on black Evo Coupe without the boot spoiler. The whole experience was calm, gentlemanly (if I’m still allowed to say that) and well, easy.

Fast forward 20 years, I still have the car (now affectionally know as ratty) and I find myself being able to offer a similar experience to other GQ Owners.

So, below you will find a selection of examples from fellow in store owners that I haven’t gone to market with, yet.

So, if anything catches your eye feel free to give me a call or ping and I’ll set up a video call or coffee.

1989 Porsche 928 S4 Auto – Genuine Porsche Cup 1 alloys, body-coloured teardrop mirrors and rear spoiler inspired by the later GTS. Full black leather, Porsche 3-spoke leather steering wheel.

1981 BMW E24 635CSi Auto – not seen one in this hue; Saphirblu-metallic with black leather. A useable example providing entry to the sharknose scene without costing an arm and a leg (excuse the pun).

Jaguar XK8 – a bucket list car he tells me. The owner often comes to the facility and we line his cars up while he takes a Le Mans start at them. Classic cream leather.

Audi TT 3.2 – A late 2003 example with black leather and an automatic gearbox. This particular owner loves these so much he has two of them and is lost for which one to part with.

VW Pheaton – A special story behind the specifying and single ownership of this 1 of 1 example. The husband and wife owners are looking for someone that understands the uniqueness behind them.

BMW M6 – Just serviced by us at BMW Sytner this nicely specified example is due up for sale as the owner has since left the country.

To find out more about any of the examples above or if you’d like us to keep an eye out for anything in particular please don’t hesitate to give us a shout.

Movers and shakers

The warmest of welcomes to our newest cars and owners, welcome once again.