The Blog

A piece from Classic Car Weekly:
... Yet 'Restoration' is one of the world's most ambiguous words, covering everything from some welding work and a budget respray to a comprehensive strip down and re-build.
A car's net worth need not preclude it from high-quality repairs, however, a non-specialist garage may hold a very different interpretation.
Many people are unaware that a quality restoration demands a considerable number of skilled man hours, and that balance must be established immediately between budget and the quality expectations. However, those who cannot resist low estimates risk entrusting the work to an ill-equipped outfit that is unable to attain a reasonable standard or even complete the work at all. Such false economy introduces a greater risk of customer disappointment.
“Around 5% of our work comes from picking up the pieces from other garages that have charged unrealistically low rates but have been able to complete the tasks, leaving owners out of pocket and with unfinished vehicles” Adam Dring, Classic and Vintage Restorations, Shropshire.
“Restoration should always be a partnership between owner and restore throughout the procedure, and constant trust and regular communication will prevent any issues from arising, especially after work is completed” David Barzilay, Classic Motor Cars.

Hello! Thanks for joining us, fashionably late as per usual but you're here now and that's the main thing. Sit down and take the weight off the floor, we've got a huge topic to cover today.

This is part one of our new build series, and it will document our interpretation of what a Classic Mini should look and feel like in the 21st Century.

We're of the subtle school of design, so the aim is to make you look twice to know exactly what has changed, but the car will still have that little something extra. It's the Mini remastered.

Lets get you up to speed: so far we have a Mini, stating the obvious I know but we have to start somewhere, so start taking notes. Our Mini has had all the standard necessary metal work completed, but it also has had some extra work done to it. We have de-seamed the sides and removed the rear bumper lip. 

Staying with the back of the car, the rear lights will be customised, as will the boot door (watch this space), the petrol tanks and fillers, and the exhaust. 

Blended wheel arches will then take us towards the front of the car where we will have countersunk indicators, a custom grille and air intakes. And of course, it's not a proper Mini if we don't have spotlights. 

The paintwork is being kept under wraps, but it will look like it has been dipped. Liquid beauty!

It's the interior where things get a little bit spicy and where we bring in the phrase "Connected Car". Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, reversing camera, touch screen, on-board diagnostics... It's a long list. Oh and cup holders. Vital.

That's enough info for today, we've earned tea. It's a bank holiday after all. We'll touch base later and keep you updated on the progress as it goes.

Buckle up, son...

“What’s ET short for?”
“I thought it was because he had little legs no?”

Little hi little lo people, how have we all been? Did you notice our absence or did your heart grow fonder… or something like that. There are only 4 sleeps to Christmas Day. Yes 4… who actually sleeps with the excitement on Christmas Eve? Madness.

Do you know why scuba divers roll backwards out of their boats? It’s genius really – if they rolled forward they would just fall into the boat.

Where are we on some cars I hear you say, well pals we’re not on them at all. That would damage the bodywork. But anyways, we’re saying bu-bye to a few more Minis over Christmas as the Dark Knight / Darth Vader all-black Mini goes home and the green Mini Cooper heads off to fields yonder.

DID YOU SEE THE CANDY RED MAXI? I mean really. Just like the award-winning farmer – we’re outstanding in our field.

We have Jag-wars, Fiat 500s (Luigi because he’s Italian. Also, the name Paul was taken), MGB Roadsters (different roadsters we swear, it’s hardly our fault that their best colour is Tartan Red?), might we have a Porsche on ruth? Who knows.

The plan is to have Christmas dinner as early as possible and get the most out of the daylight. It’s dark, damp and wet lately. No drying out there at all – sad. Now that I think of it, what’s the harm in having it on Christmas Eve and getting the lads into the workshop on Christmas Day? It would be nice and peaceful and they would fly through the work. Food for thought… will mull it over some wine later. Some mulled wine. For mulling.

Here’s an idea that you should not do to your friend’s car – don’t cable tie a harmonica near their fan and radiator because you and everyone else think that it’s hilarious. It is, but you shouldn’t do it.

Also, don’t connect your friend’s brake pedal to their hooter because you and everyone else think it’s hilarious. It’s not.
Well it is, but you know – it’s immature…

But for now, I must be off! There’s a sleigh that needs to be out by the 23rd. It’s going candy apple red. My arms from buffing are looking buff. Boom, another pun. I feel under-appreciated.

Merry Christmas ya filthy animal.

Shout out to all those people who don’t know what the opposite of in is.

All that I have in my head are Ireland chants after the Euros. Yes I know they’re still going, but we’re out so technically they’re finished. Le Frexit.

But how have you been? Did you get a chance to try that new restaurant on the moon yet? The food is actually decent, but the atmosphere – well there’s none.

We’re all about progress here in the garage, and we’ve really gone through that industrial-sized box of tea bags. Now that I think of it… There’s surely some way of getting free tea bags from our namesakes… or would it be more ironic if Barry’s sorted us out. Hmmmm. Well, that’s my day’s work sorted anyways!

Ah yes. The cars. I suppose that’s why you’re here. Well, folks, it’s not exactly a case of what have we done, but more a case of what haven’t we done. Begorrah and potatoes have we done a lot! MGB roadsters in paint, Minis in paint, Jaguars in paint and I think even the cat may have got some paint too.

Starting Q3 and the pipeline is looking busy. There’ll be quite a few interface meetings depending on my bandwidth. Isn’t business talk just the best? You can actually write a page-long email and leave the recipient completely bamboozled and not knowing what is going on (much like this blog… ahem…). I think my favourite words that are stupidly used are “leverage” as in “I was unable to leverage the WiFi” and also “outplaced” as in “If you don’t make my tea right the next time I will outplace you to the Dole queue”.

With Terenure coming up we’ve been working as hard as possible on getting some show cars ready, but customer cars have to take priority. *Halo suddenly appears over my head. PG the weather holds for it. PG.

There’s a backlog of emails that are currently being replied to, sincerest apologies but we will reply! In other news, with the huge festival that rolls into Clare this weekend, we’re hoping to get the original garage in Miltown Malbay re-painted in Disney colours. Take a look below:

So? What do you think? Anyways, there’s genuinely a mountain of work to get through so I best be off. If you’re watching Game of Thrones, try not to get too attached to any character. Wowie.

Right. mind yourselves. And for those of you who don’t have a car – pedal safe mates.

I’ve run out of TV shows so I said I better write something to keep you updated on how things are looking in the garage! It's been a while so we've surely done a bit right? You're damn right son! If you saw the amount of Easter Eggs we got through... well, the amount I got through - the lads have to work like.
Apart from eggs, we’ve increased the workforce so things do be getting done. God bless the hard work and all that, but the busy-ness has definitely picked up. There’ll be no more dossing off home before 7 pm… I might even have to chip in. Feck sake like!

It’s about time that Spring got here, I thought for ages it was just around the corner but it’s really only after appearing in the last couple of days. I know I definitely got so excited that I wet my plants.

A Triumph Spitfire arrived in the garage recently; the plans so far should make for a top top car. Progress has been made again on the de-seamed and customised Mini – it’s been tough to get time to work on it, but we’re hoping for a Summer reveal date pg. The plan is to have a decent stand at Terenure come the Summer… and sure if the cars aren’t finished we’ll call them works in progress wink wink.

I was in the shop yesterday at lunch and I kept trying to buy one of those grocery dividers, but the lady at the till kept putting it back.

Let’s see, the roll call in the garage currently stands at three MG A Roadsters, three MG B Roadsters, three Minis, one Mini Estate, one Triumph Spitfire, one Jaguar MKII, one Austin Maxi, one white cat and one cup of tea that’s going cold…

So that’s lunch mates! Feel free to get in touch via Facebook, email, hello phone, pigeon... whatever! But for now, I’m off. Say hi to the family for me.

As is tradish, you’ll find ALL of the social medias (you know – Facebook and Instagram) have been updated with some new photos, the website is next and then we’ll get cracking on LinkedIn so make sure to give us a sympathy follow. Thanks, you’re the best xoxo

I suppose the weather hasn’t been what we’d hoped for. I know from speaking to other people that they’re still buying the fake tan in July. Other people… that stuff wouldn’t be for me at all. I’m naturally sallow.

But with cold weather comes a great excuse for the lads in the garage to work harder. It’ll keep them warm like. Their happiness is my only concern…

C’mere, let’s be serious for a second.

Jeez, that second there was nearly too long to be serious. It’s really not for me lads, not for me. No, but no... but really, I’ll have to be serious. Don’t worry, I’m not giving out to you, so you’re off the hook. I need to tell you about our garage and the fact that we have a few jobs available for people.

I can’t do it all so we need people straight away for bodywork, spraying and mechanical work. So if you know somebody who loves classic cars has some garage/body shop experience or would like to learn more, give us a call or send us a pigeon.

Full and part-time work is available now. All employees get a company car of their choice. Scale 1:18… Unfortunately, our graduate programme won’t be open till next year. But sure look, get in contact with us anyways.

Big week this week lads, big week. Many cars are getting covered in paint, and many more are being buffed, polished and waxed. No, not waxed because it’s summer (August still counts), but waxed to protect the paint.

We’ve got an MGB Roadster in Tartan Red, an MG Midget… sorry, MG Little Person in Racing Green, and then in our rebuilding department - a Cooper, a 70’s Mini and a Traveller all being put back together, with plenty more on the way.

I haven’t even mentioned the de-seamed Mini, the convertible Mini, two MGB Roadsters and two MGA Roadsters… Well, I suppose I have now.

Pictures and photos are up on all of the pages – Facebook, Instagram and I suppose this site too. Also, big news! We’re going to be in a magazine. I’ll give the lads that day off, might be too stressful for them to get their photos taken with the cars…

Daily tours around the garage are starting now, although I’d bring a change of clothes. You might get asked to help out.

All the best lads, I must go finish this coffee.