Looking After Your Car
The above image shows quite an assortment of classic and specialty vehicles that represent our (growing) slice of the automotive service business. We take on and solve difficult problems by taking things apart and fixing them. We may have a car in for body, paint, interior, mechanical work, detail or all of the above. We project manage full, partial and cosmetic restorations. We do a lot of 'car rescues' and 'barn finds'; recommissioning vehicles after extended periods of non-use. We can offer a holistic approach to long-term vehicle care by looking at every aspect of the vehicle.
The following is a modest sample of some of the jobs we have completed:
The remains of this 1961 Land Rover started off looking really very shabby. The chassis was completely disassembled and built back up to 'new' condition. We found the rest of the pieces (many NOS) and put it back together.
The 1917 Ford Model T needed a new fuel tank and general service, but before we could address that we had to figure out how to drive it - a quite unsettling experience even at 20km/hr!
The Aston Martin needed its triple SU carbs rebuilt.
The Spyker needed be half taken apart to get at the fuel pumps which lie inside the fuel tanks which were buried inside the sills.
The Jag XJ-SC needed to have its fuel tanks acid dipped and internally coated along with the replacement of just about every hose, belt and other piece of rubber as it came out of long term storage.
The BMW Z8 needed a new stereo, tires, battery, windscreen and neon lights.
The Mercedes 450 SLC (C107) had the troublesome Chrysler-sourced climate control servo replaced with a modern digital controller. Its Becker Mexico Stereo was sent away for rebuild and we replaced and painted the LHS front fender. The rear window had to come out to address some corrosion behind the window seal.
The 300SL Gullwing needed a major service including brakes. We took the opportunity to document important components of the vehicle for its history file.
The Citroen 2CV-6 needs new floors and sills, which are in progress.
The Jaguar E-Type needed its carbs adjusted and some wiring issues addressed.
The Porsche 928 was given a timing belt and water pump service and its shift linkage fixed. It was found after being parked in 1983 and has just run properly for the first time in 40 years. Fuel, Injection and hydraulics were completely gone through. All new belts and hoses were installed. It needed a light cosmetic freshening.
We don't work on dirty cars and we keep the shop spotless. Many vehicles have had their undersides and wheel arches cryoblasted and topsides polished. Some needed paint repair, wetsanding and polishing. All wheels were cleaned up front and back.
We look at the entire car and what the owner wants to do with it and come up with a holistic program to keep it looking good and driving well. Because we also buy and sell cars we can manage the entire ownership experience from purchase, maintenance and sale.
We have a tremendous combined brain trust and are conversant on virtually any automotive topic. We would like to talk to you about your car!
Lawrence Romanosky, Calgary, Canada, Lromanosky@me.com, 403-607-8625
