Blondie's Blog 6 or.... Hiding in plain sight isn't always a bad thing.

February 2024

HELLO LOVELY PEOPLE. O BOY DO I HAVE A LOT TO SHARE……

It's been ages since I've typed, well actually, if I'm honest, I have typed loads but just not been able to publish it for personal reasons.. There has been an overwhelming amount of things going on, not least a lot of repairs to our crumbly but loved old house, family diagnosis and illnesses and a general wobble crisis of confidence/blonde moment on my part.

 I'm Jumping forward to now, as that seems a way of explaining in part, and because we have some incredible changes and projects going forward this year, It feels like my personal crusade to show ladies/newbies and less able persons that they too can join and embrace not only home vehicle maintenance but also, this industry (that a lot of people tell me they felt was insurmountable) is ripening slowly to fruition. It's fair to say I am feeling a bit billy big balls about the whole thing.

 As for today, I'm editing this 4am scribble in the passenger seat of the old Landy as we travel down to Dover to see Ian's family. A rare moment of peace as hes concentrating on the horrific weather rather than singing inappropriate words ( usually containing the words willy bum or ass) over previously clean and unspoiled songs, It's a daily delight for me.

 I am totally wiped out but.....had an awesome week.

Tuesday I travelled to Warwick Caffeine and machine (The Hill) to meet my fellow blonde partner in crime the lovely Sarah Crabtree who put up with me snoring and talking her ear off till stupid o clock!

Popped out that eve for a nice bit of curry in Warwickshire with Andy and Kelly Neal of Automotion ( and the british motor show. with Andy being the boss and ceo and Kelly, his right hand lady that makes his zany but wonderful visions come true with almost implausible accuracy…she is an amazing lady that I am constantly in awe of! (many thanks to Andy Entwistle for treating us by the way)

Not too many drinks as we had a very important meeting the next day. Have to say it was a lovely curry house and we did have a much needed giggle catching up.

I have to say, Sarah is a lovely lady (I can see you rolling your eyes as you read this Crabbers!) and hilariously honest, which I love about her ( and indeed anyone that is natural and unafraid to be themselves) I feel very lucky to have found such incredible friends and colleagues through this automobile adventure bubble we’ve all found ourselves in.

We took an Uber out to dinner which was uneventful but on the way back it was hilarious... We had the best driver ever. He was flying his unremarkable and definitely not flood friendly car through huge dauntingly wide puddles on country roads, blind bends, pitch black, in torrential rain, drifting all over the road and kept asking which way we should go despite the sat nav being up on his phone. Sarah was on fine form agreeing with whatever direction he said and it was all i could do not pee myself laughing. We arrived miraculously unharmed with our friendly kamikaze cab driver and he gave a big toothy grin before asking if he could come in the hotel with us…. I had never actually been in a uber before as we do not have them in my neck of the woods. It was a very different experience to our local black cabs and very funny indeedy!!

So we are now at #caffeineandmachine the Hill for the night.  and i admit to being a CandF virgin despite being car mad… It’s so cool! I'm bloody blown away.  I love what they're doing. I've yet to do my review online as I'm still shattered after 2 busy days then a long week and a half at the workshop making dashboards, door cards,  centre consoles,  gel coating, general grp stuff and,  myself and Ian have been working on a customer car with a few more modern features than usual so lots of fannying about with seat bases getting a z3 ( in a bodykit,  of course) seat base to marry to much older and more befitting seats ( I literally can't stand up each eve and will need a week to recover but,  it's been good!)

So... I digress as always.... back to #caffeineandmachine the bowl ( Warwick area) in a Blondie nutshell...

if i was doing a short review, it would go something like this…

Awesome well appointed site with a really nice welcoming not over stuffy feel.

great staff, nice  clean large rooms clearly designed to allow fellow car nuts to share without too much embarrassment ( large bathroom,  loud enough extractor fan so you can't hear each other peeing  and..🤣) after a cracking night out with their cars and a few bevvies in their very well appointed bar (restaurant looks awesome too but myself and Sarah just had a couple of Jameson's and orange juice) cracking decor, lovely  Original touches left in the building,   plenty of cool merch (I'm buying a Don't be a Dick jumper next time!) And just a really nice feel.

caffeine and machine are poetically RATHER THAN POLITICALLY correct, too many dick’s on forums #benice

 On top of all that they have  lovely grounds with a triple pointed tepee  .we had a little sneak into to see club style Chesterfield button back winged chairs, a log burner,  a decent bar,  awesome just there lighting and tonnes of space for mingling ( really impressed,  wanted to live there as the décor reminded me of home!)  Just all in all a wonderful place and MUCH cheaper than the local hotels which is crazy as the character of the place and the staff are so warm and awesome!  ( I loved it,  if you hadn't guessed 🤣🤣)

Then.... Wednesday at #Bridgestone Warwick for a metting with the awesome Kelly and Andy from the #Britishmotorshow and a room full of awesome ladies... a thing I thought would terrify me after bad experiences in office environments many years ago. but turned out very well….

Ref that not fitting in thing….. I keep a lot to myself but I am aware that a lot of people struggle, everyone has a back story and, I have recently been told that sharing can really help others so…..

Digressing (again) but....in all fairness I get it now. I did not fit in with women, I was not flowery, hated bitchiness and unkidness, which seemed rife in the 90’s in telecoms ( my trade of choice) I was terrified of people and wanted to please, to make everyone get on (very hard in a slightly toxic and very competitive office environment that was normal at that time) to others i guess I was weird.

I look back now and at 18 I bought a house, by myself, having not come from a wealthy background at all - despite the horse ( on loan or adopted and kept at a friend's farm) and the daft voice that made me sound like I did not live in an old council house ...very lovely house though I have to say,  kudos to my amazing mum Dorothy Smarty pants and late father Brian for their love of restoring antiques... It was our own little "manor" a veritable Tardis of gems, treasure and old rosewood and mahogany furniture that looked incredible ( but was often held together at the back 🤣 just like my own home now..  total illusion!)

I guess back then women scared me.  I felt very different with a very male outlook.  I was practical and  had spent my childhood being forced into school Mensa tests, told i could go to private school for free (and flat out refusing as i already felt out of place at catholic school) taking lots of crap but always going back for more and generally having lovely actions taken upon my unususpecting and overly trusting little soul such as my head being flushed down the toilet. Which was nice and inclusive. My hair was already pee pee yellow, not sure what they were  trying to achieve :@) not the whole head i should add but you get the idea!!

At my now great age of 46 i can see their twisted and bizarrely sad point as from the outside,  I could learn anything but,  was never an expert in anything.   I never felt part of the world outside my head and worked so so hard to prove I was worthy. Bullies LOVED me... But not in a healthy way. A particular fun memory was having my hair set fire to in science and the teacher really not giving a shit. Long blonde hair to my bum that night was shaved off. My poor mum, she thought i had gone mad.  All of these things happen to so many children every year and they tend to either go quiet and withdrawn or play up. Thankfully these days there are bullying policies in place although my own children still had issues as they were kind and smart (god forbid!)

 It does not bother me whatsoever now, as life has its differing challenges and memories fade as others take over but it does perhaps explain a lot of why i am they way I am now, how I got here and why i feel more comfy in male company, as general rule, and am one of the lads.

As a younger adult, or at least till the last few years, I wanted to help.... EVERYONE... despite it causing sometimes quite dangerous pitfalls for my own health safety and wellbeing.  I think I just wanted to belong and after the last few years,  on the cars,  covered in sh1t from yellow head ( cheers for that god... had you made me brunette it may have been a LITTLE easier 🤣) to huge toes.... I finally found my people.

I look back now and at 18 I excelled,  but I thought I was useless. I did not pick my fights or my friends, they picked me, and oftentimes they were vile.
I  earned very well, had an amazing social life and met some incredible people that went onto be  household names. I had no interest in recognition but wanted to help. That bit hasn't changed I just know who deserves my time now and,  have worked out , somewhat, how i fit into the world.

I clicked with much older persons, had many a wonderful bright shining friend from the club world,  many of which would now be labelled LGBTQ++++  but back then we're just fabulous, beautiful and filled me with wonder and awe as they could do what i could not. 

They were themselves.  What a wonderful thing to be!

On old photos, up till age 33 ish ( when I started to get much more unwell) i  looked about 13 with a bright yellow light of hair on my head, eyes too big for my tiny face and came across very happy and very very confident.  A mask I guess. A chance to be different by NOT being different. A fitting in mask. Halloween every day!

So I kind of get it now,  the assumption I wasn't employed for my ability.... the assumption i was the barbie doll ( though in my eyes i really didn't and still can't see that) contributed to me never belonging. The incurable and incredible energy and subsequent falls of physical exhaustion probably, in hindsight, didn't help.

Hero to zero..  a dormouse that could sleep standing up.  The one that fell asleep in their dinner... i later found this to be my heart issues and later still,  ADD or whatever it is being called right now. Not that i need a label. I just know and accept that I am different now and that is just fine.

 I couldn't physically be rude to anyone,  i was probably really bloody annoying as i was so "nice" but,  i think perhaps i was justifying my existence as i didn't understand that myself. 

There are other reasons,  not least some pretty bad bullying from school and throughout a 17 yr relationship that i won't go into ( unless anyone needs advice and help privately in which case please call or msg me as i will do everything i can to keep you safe)  but,  despite all that, it doesn't make it right to belittle another female,  or male for that matter, to set out to destroy a career, for them to lose their home and confidence because one or two females felt a little insecure... I may have been annoyingly nice but,  that's often a mask for someone that doesn't even know they are struggling. Wisdom of ages retrospectively would have been nice but, life's a journey so.… here I am battling uphill, starting to feel comfy around other females finally and doing what I LOVE without caring what anyone thinks ( for the most part) and i get to wear a really ladylike outfit for the fibreglassing and bodywork….as you can see below…catwalk worthy stuff!

 I get that that may all seem a little disjointed, but, as an outpouring, it is what it is. If it helps anyone to see a soul laid a little barer, then all is well in my world.

 So moving on, before i bore you stiff, what does this have to do with the motor industry i hear you say???

 Well here's the thing.... This week I saw the flipside. Female camaraderie. In the industry of all places. No differentition between, Ages, Backgrounds, Races, EVEN.. ICE and Electric. We all had one common goal which was fluffy but also most welcome in a Girly mechanic sort of way. We are all #Drivenwomen as you will find out this year.

I wasn't judged. I wasn't laughed at ( in a bad way) no vicious little jibes,  just a bunch of varied and thoughtful women that care deeply about others and a meeting that I was terrified about which turned out to be an hilarious guards down,  "titsntyres" "lubeandrubberladies" no holds barred but also very productive and informative meeting.... 

This week I changed my view.  I lost some demons and,  I feel very aware that good things are coming.  For everyone in that room and for women generally.

We don't need to burn our bra.  We don't need to exclude the men.  In Fact we need them and they most definitely need us!!

 We all need to work together.  Equality isn't just about levelling up,  it's about understanding , sitting back thinking,  seeing everyone's skills as valid and equal and I for one thank every single woman in that room for that. (plus the two blokes Andy and Ricky who hopefully we didn't embarrass too much) Sarah's Tshirt double QR code placement idea was perfect and hilarious but Ricky went very red!

From this meeting, there will be some awesome news and lots of fun to come this year but all will be revealed in good time

 Im going to leave this here as it's exhausting talking about myself and a past that is no longer as relevant as it once seemed ( thank you to the people around that tolerate me for that) but hopefully, its touched on how people don't have to be vanilla or the same as everyone else to be part of a wider movement and make a difference in this little world.

 I must add, people travelled a long way. Between the ladies there were a few thousand miles travelled and it meant a lot to see such full attendance as we thrashed out a Sausage minimising plan ( thank you George Thurman, that was hilarious!)

Thank you all of those there for giving your time up to be part of what's to come. .. In particular... Isabelle Martina Ortiz and  Ricky Knowles who travelled from near to Liverpool ( my Fave city as most of my huge family are there!) are the most lovely people with the kindest hearts and have become great friends ( that means they put up with me so well!)

 Debbie Watts.. Who is much more than just Leon from Autoisms mum! Having brought the incredible Zone ND to the last British Motor Show, the first in Europe and an incredible calm zone that will be repeated this year in conjunction with Nook Pods and is a lovely lady who works so hard as an interior designer too.

 And of course, our Sarah who had a bloody awful journey of 5 hours in the piddling rain on the Tuesday from the tip of Yorkshire to the midlands and  put up with my smelly feet, incessant talking and snoring! We had such a good laugh.  She’s a treasure and I am lucky to have such incredible (and tolerant) friends. To all the other lovely ladies I had the pleasure to meet... THANK YOU! You're all HERO'S in my oversaturated and often overstimulated spongey head mass.

 I am feeling enveloped in positivity ( jeez, I sound like a girl) Really excited about this coming year 🙂 and…. BIG NEWS COMING SOON!! ref that.

 In the meantime, please can you help me get this moving by adding us on Insta, Tik Tok, facebook (my own account Belinda Belle Wednesday) you tube etc...If you need the links just ask!

 I have also just started some basic video's on Tik Tok and You Tube that I am hoping will help ladies and newbies to see there are plenty of small jobs you can do yourself. They're intentionally very basic at the moment as I don't want to scare people off, not least myself as camera's TERRIFY me, but I am getting there, slowly.

 We will be adding some of our brand of terrible British humour also, in the hope it not only steadies my camera nerves but also, brings people in that then go on to enjoy the vehicle content.

 Lastly.... and very importantly There's a new facebook group! Driven women.

Andy created this, and I am admin. It is not only for women, but also for chaps and any other genders that are supportive of women in the industry. In a few days we have ammassed over 300 wonderful people including some absolute legends with incredible stories to tell and mind blowing knowledge to impart. I fell very very proud!

Thank you for reading my garbage people, I'm still blown away by all the positivity and the fact people are actually sticking by me,

 As always, keep smiling, be kind, or don't be a Dick as Caffeine and Machine so eloquently put it and in the words of Sam Hard who is one of my fave humans as he always spreads positivity "Keep being awesome"

 next blog, I promise plenty of tech stuff, news from the workshop and some animal stuff of course! but thank you, needed to get this out to move on. If i can do it, you can too and we will all be here to support you, through this summer and beyond.

Much love,

Blondie/Bellend/Actual Hooman Female ( who'd a thunk it!)

Oleg and his living breathing guineau pig pillow “hagrid” well i had to get the animals in!!

the workshop is bleeding freezing!!

debbie and Leon, I love these guys!!

replacing a defective seat motor on a bmw z3 seat base THAT WE HAVE ALTERED TO TAKE XJS JAG SEATS FOR DAVE’S Z3GT FACTORY BUILD! MORE PICS TO COME AS BUILD PROGRESSES…

WE ARE VERY SQUISHED IN AT THE CURRENT WORKSHOP BUT, THERE IS ALWAYS SPACE FOR A FUN CUPBOARD… THIS ONES FULL OF SNACKS!!!

SARAH.. SHE PUTS UP WITH ME. THAT MAKES HER A BIT OF A LEGEND REALLY,

THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR, ALL OUR CARS ARE AS GOOD AS EACH OTHERS, THERE’S NO RIGHT AND WRONG SO LETS ALL WORK TOGETHER AND BE KIND #CAFFEINEANDMACHINE YOU ARE EPIC

fRANKIE…HE IS STILL GETTING BIGGER, DESPITE HIS ROUGH START AND DESERVES A PIC SLOT FOR BEING SUCH A COOL CAT

THIS STUNNING GENUINE ESSEX ESPRIT BELONGS TO A FRIEND. HE HAS AN AN AWESOME COLLECTION AND IS A THOROUGHLY NICE CHAP!

ONE OF OUR OWN PROJECTS IN PROGRESS, A RARE KIT WE CALL “ILL MOSTRO” OR THE MONSTER ( IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW!) INTERIOR IN PROGRESS AND SHAPING UP NICELY. THIS ONE WILL BE FOR PRIVATE SALE AFTER AS ITS MINE AND IAN’S BUT NOT BEFORE WE’VE HAD FUN IN IT! I LOVE LOVE LOVE WHAT WE DO!!!!

“ILL mOSTRO” IS SLOWLY TAKING SHAPE. CANNOT WAIT TO GET IT FINISHED, PROBABLY THIS WINTER JUDGING BY OUR CURRENT WORKLOAD…. SHE WILL BE A BEAUTY!!

I HAVE BEEN MAKING A DASH FROM THE MOST HORRIBLE MOULD WE INHERITED, WHICH WILL BE CHOPPED UP , IMPROVED AND REMODELLED, INCLUDING A NEW USEABLE MOULD AND A NEW LEFT HAND DRIVE VERSION AS OVERSEAS ENQUIRIES ARE CRAZY RIGHT NOW!

NORMA AND THE GUINEAU PIG. ITS NOT NORMAL FOR A PIGGY TO TRY TO FEED OFF A CHIHUAHUA BUT, THEY ARE HAPPY…NATURE IS STRANGE BUT IT KEEPS ME SANE!!

YUP.. OUR HOUSE IS SPECIAL… THE DOGS/CATS/PIGS EVEN HAVE THEIR OWN SOFA….

THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL CAR… @TOMIMUSIC ON INSTAGRAM OWNS IT AND OUR LOVELY FRIENDS AT #GVPERFORMANCE LOOK AFTER IT. ABSOLUTELY LOVING THE COLOUR AND ITS EXHAUST NOTE MUSIC IS JUST INSANE!! WE ARE SO LUCKY THAT WE GET TO SEE SUCH AWESOME TOYS EVERY DAY!!

Blondie's blog 5, or…to rebody or not to rebody that is the question!

Blondie's Blog 5....

So here we are again.... Scribbles and nonsense interspersed with the odd bit of useful info. Bit like my brain really. Mossy, scrambled but occasionally gifts some intelligible nuggets to the world.

This month has been, as always chaos at the workshop but, we did get a day off for Ian's birthday. A day in Brighton was planned visiting the upside down house, a pub roast dinner, the arcades then a slow plod home.

Very sadly we arrived to find there had been a devastating fire the night before on the seafront. The Royal Albion Hotel, a Georgian building with a rich history of famous guests that had previously suffered a devastating fire in 1998, was still very much alight albeit less dramatically than news reports show it the previous eve.

We walked past a few times moving from place to place and as the day turned into early eve it was clear that the front of the building was collapsing. Such a sad thing to see the hugely prominent hotel no longer a seaside feature but a ghostly charred shell with little left of the Georgian frontage, let alone the inside. Pictures could be seen still hanging on charred walls through the sadly mangled antique metalwork balconies and melted and shattered windows.

Not all guests were accounted for according to press reports but, importantly, there were no casualties reported either so hopefully everyone got out. The hotel has long been known as part of the troubled Britannia groups stock, left unloved in some areas and neglected generally, with negative reviews abound online not only about the lack of maintenance in this hotel but the group generally cutting corners. What a terribly sad way to treat our architectural heritage.

I hope everyone affected receives the correct support in the coming days and months.

Moving onto the workshop....

A few bits have moved about this week. Not least the continued clear out of old junk as we have an exiting visit coming up soon from an eminent motoring video blogger!

Simon's gorgeous Carpathian Grey Cobra has had 4 new Continental Contact premium shoes, a new MOT, a good clean and been dropped off with a family member, giving us the opportunity for a very windy beach evening in Hayling Island and a slow drive back. Always feels more like a day off when we drop off a car to somewhere near the sea, even if I did manage a full of rear slide of the ancient tow truck on a particularly wet bend coming down the slope through Selbourne... Pant colour changing moment even at slow speed. Thankfully oncoming Skoda estate and pursuing fiat 500 deathbox both stayed calm as I righted her. We often forget as drivers how dangerous our machines are. This was a staunch reminder for me of sudden rain after dry spells and rubber on road!

In other news.. .Richards's Z3GT based on a BMW Z3 3.0 is ready for paint and we have obtained an August space for that plus dealing with the paperwork for registration change as it cannot be MOT'd until it is correctly reflected on the V5 paperwork (more below on that how we register our little rebodies)

Our lovely painter has the MX250 well underway after an unavoidable and unexpected premises move earlier this year which must have been a bloody nightmare! I know how hard ti was for us to move when we were a quarter of the size we are now, cannot imagine dropping down and re setting up a full spray shop with no notice, let alone the challenge of finding premises, we know how hard that is. We're so lucky to have both our painters, they keep things affordable for us and our customers and never give us any grief. Very hard to find decent trades at the moment as we've lost a lot of very skilled people back to Europe in the light of Brexit and Covid. Hopefully the powers that be will allow our skilled and much needed European neighbours back with less red tape soon.

Red Le Mans is progressing well, no pics this week as the dash is not in yet, just waiting for the dials as they're all hand made in Britain and perfection takes time. Even the PCB's inside the dials are hand made in England by a family business and specifically tailored electronically to the base vehicle. They really do set the interior off!

As for our own projects, it's been a good week, we have organised a few things that will allow us to produce and supply something a little different... More on that as is progresses but its fair to say things are looking very exciting for the rest of the year and beyond!!

I have a few times now been asked to elaborate a little on what a Rebodied car is... I tend to go off half cock and jump from one subject to the next without explaining fully so... Here it is.

Most of you will have heard of Kit Cars and many of you will have a Marmite opinion of them. From the 1970's clunky chunky (and often smelling funky under tarpaulin in the middle of a field/garage/grandads drive) home built attempts to the factory built beauties that attract a considerably higher initial build cost and resale value.

Then there's the weird and truly wonderful such as the outspan orange, the motor sofa and more recently our lovely friend Kevin Nicks very very awesome ( land speed record holding) SHED. Yes really, a shed, the worlds fastest shed! ( and wheelbarrow and wheelie bin in fact, hes a genius! professor of all things seemingly daft yet tangible and once he gets an idea in his head, it's happening!

He will also be at the British Motor show this month (17 to 20th august, Farnborough international centre) with his wonderful creations.

Why rebodies i hear you say....

Well....Kit cars have become increasingly harder to register in the united kingdom over the last couple of decades. Not least for peoples safety but in some parts due to increased red tape and bureaucracy, especially when one takes into account that a person can strip out an old electric car, with no previous training or experience with the incredibly dangerous (in the wrong hands) battery packs and wiring then transplanted into any vehicle (Crashed Nissan leaf to MGBGT as a loose example) Frankenstein electric created at home, with no experience or training... that terrifies me!

So that's where the rebodies come in. They bridge the gap between "normal" cars and kit cars.

To qualify as a Rebody the vehicles monocoque chassis must remain unfettered, uncut and unmodified with only the body shell shape different... That's the basic idea anyway, there are a few little things you can do but you must not adjust the base vehicle, save for easily removeable body parts (not cut off )

For example..

A "body kit" is usually taken to mean...

a collection of exterior modifications to a car, typically consisting of front and rear bumpers, side skirts, spoilers, and sometimes wing mirrors.

In the case of ours (mainly BMW Z3 based) this means the fibre glass kits we provide, lights, mirrors brightwork and anything else needed to get it through a standard MOT.

You cannot remove the windscreen on the Z3 due to it being part of the chassis with the frame work being one piece and running directly up from the same, so for us it includes that.

Once you've spent many dozens of hours fettling the kit, fitting lights etc and generally beautifying the vehicle it would then be time for a fresh MOT, however until the cars body type has been changed on the V5 document this isn't possible as the tester must test as presented from the current V5 description.

If your give him a thing that looks like a nice shiny cobra and the look book states BMW Z3 it will fail as amongst other things, the lights will differ front and back) and in the case of having altered the interior and removed the steering wheel, dash etc... they cannot see the lights go "on and off" so they will be unable to pass it unless its showing as a modified vehicle online.

This is where DVLA re registration comes in. We help with this and best of all, it's FREE.

A quick simple downloaded form, an invoice, pics of car in stages, a few other bits of magic and in a couple of weeks or so and your shiny new Rebody car has a new name and can be crowned with a fresh mot test and be driving away like a royal chariot with you beaming like the brightest sunshine at the wheel!

Obviously there's a lot more involved but that's the basics. As long as you don't alter the chassis and follow the rules all is good.

There are some guides online but the best place to look is on the .gov site. It gives a very strict set of rules ref what comprises a rebody.

I could go on all day about it but, I've waffled already so I'll leave that bit there for today.

As a child, all things automotive were a huge part of my life but kit cars and modifications, engine swaps and even go faster stripes were the best bit. I guess its in my blood so, here on the sliding hill towards the grand age of 50 I find myself in a really good place around like minded people and probably the calmest I have felt in years.

Lastly, my next blog will be about the most incredible event of the year.. The British Motor Show!

I'm a little behind with typing due to sheer workload and some pesky health issues that have reared their head again and slowed me down a lot but it will be up in the next week or so, in two parts most likely as I am expecting it to be huge!!

We have shirts and hats being made with BMS livery on and our nicknames and will have loads of Powerflex and BC Racing goodies to give away as we have been agents of both of the m for some time for Vehicle Bushings and Coilovers respectively but, haven't done the greatest job of publicising them up till now!

I will sign off now as I have literally hundreds of BMW Z3 parts to prepare, clean and list ready to do a huge drop off to our friend in Belgium in next few weeks as we have been unable to go and offload our huge stock for a couple of years and the workshop and containers are totally rammed!

Have an awesome day... Can't promise sunshine at the moment as El Nino has decided that summer is over, for now at least but, if you're doing something you love, you'll always have sunshine nearby.

Belle/Plastic Car Blondie

Ian and myself have been busy making Armco pieces from fibreglass and wood for our stand at the British Motor Show which I aged with everything from a blow torch to bits of mud and glue! I enjoyed it a little too much!

Blonde's like spanners too.. Or, Leaky pipes and sneaky spikey little mug dwelling creatures.

Blonde's like spanners too.. Or, Leaky pipes and sneaky spikey little mug dwelling creatures.

07 July 2023

11:21am

Blondie's blog 4…

 

 

Morning all..... And I say all as my little head is amazed once again at my little scrawled typing's gaining so much momentum.... 4 percent of the website traffic. Ok, so it's not going to change the world but, we do get a fairly health wodge of views each month so I'm secretly smug with myself. Maybe we will get more girlies and somewhat broken but determined people into this industry after all.... Here's hoping.

 

This week we've been planning our spot at the British Motor show, along with the usual workshop stuff and animal rescues...no more budgies but now have 4 baby hedgehog foundlings at various stages of weaning that are very entertaining... And cleaning out bits of the workshop that haven't seen daylight since we moved in. Handy really that i quite like spiders, we seem to have a breeding programme.

The british motor show takes place at farnborough international centre (gu14 6fd) in hampshire between the 17 and 20th august and tickets are available from their website or through their facebook page links. the team at automotion are working so hard to build it bigger and better each year! there are some amazing displays, static and stunt, many vehicle based celebrities and families bringing picnics are positively encouraged.. a rarity these days as many events seem very capitalised with bag checks for “own food” and drinks. they certainly are a brilliant team. we hope to see some of you there supporting this wonderful family focused event.

tickets are available at their website, search under thebritshmotorshow.live grab them before the day and you’ll save some money too!

 

I'm pretty stoked about the motor show. We've been making fibre glass copies of "Amco" the metal stuff that is used as a road barrier. It is the foundation for our vintage race track style display for the indoor portion of the exhibition, along with some amazing tool shelves from Draper that i will find a way to tie in with a whole pile of cool vintage motor memory  junk and memorabilia.

Plenty to choose from as I have containers and garages full of all things old and smelly, you would be amazed what is still there from when I was a reseller and house clearance bird!

 

Ian's been happily ordering banners from various brands to decorate said Amco with and is generally in his element planning away!

 

It is going to be a hard slog for the 4 days but, will be amazing to be there amongst the big guns with our little cars.

 

We are very lucky to have customers that tolerate us enough to become friends. They often tag along to shows and let us borrow the cars we've built for them. I think I am going to owe many people alcohol and chocolates after this one as we are borrowing a few, not least one of our favourites,Gaz’s Carpathian Grey Cobra that we built a couple of years ago. Gaz is always a total legend coming to shows and chatting away eagerly to customers. It’s fair to say he bloody loves that car and we are really lucky to have him not just as a customer but also a friend.

Gaz.. he’s a bit of a legend and really helps us out. this car has remained a firm favourite and best of all, gaz drives it every day which is the beauty of our little creATIONS, THEY REALLY CAN BE DRIVEN DAILY WITHOUT TOO MANY ISSUES AS THE BMW Z3 DOES TEND TO BE VERY RELIABLE IF LOOKED AFTER COMPARED TO MANY MODERN CARS. I LOVE THE HANDLING OF THESE LITTLE BUZZ BOMBS! THEY ALWAYS PUT A SMILE ON FACES.

 

In the workshop.... Apart from the buzz of excitement ref the BMS we've been putting the very finishing touches to Simon's cobra interior with our customer 3 piece dash, centre console tunnels, stainless metal trim, hand made British dials and lots of blood sweat and tears. She really is looking lovely. Add to that the custom made twin split exhaust and dummy side pipes with covers and she does look the part.

sIMON’S COBRA LOOKS A LOT LIKE gAZ’S… gAZ STARTED A TREND WITH THE cARPATHIAN GREY, WE’RE ON NUMBER 4 NOW! THEY DO LOOK AMAZING IN THIS COLOUR.

THERE ARE A LOT OF INTERIOR OPTIONS. SOME LIKE THE Z3 INTERIOR AND LEAVE THE DOOR CARDS AND SEATS AS SIMON HAS, AND SIMPLY GO FOR THE CENTRE TUNNEL IN LEATHER OR CARPET AND THE THREE PIECE CUSTOM DASH IN VARYING STYLES. OFTEN WE FIND PEOPLE COME BACK LATER FOR THE DOOR CARDS AND SEATS TO BE MORE RETRO STYLE BUT, I THINK THE Z3 SEATS SUIT THIS WELL. CAR NOT CLEANED YET SO NOT THE BEST PICS!

I’m always aware they’re not real Cobra’s or indeed, replica Cobra’s. More of a nod to them as we are somewhat limited by the “rebody” rules. They keep the original Z3 doors (unlike many of our other kits that have an overlay and convoluted door opening system to still use the original z3 mechanism, which I will go into another time) Despite not being a true replica, they’re great entry level cars and at anything from 13k to 20k ( if you really want to go for the interior and have custom covered leather seats and wire wheels look to the upper price!) they’re really popular and cheap to insure for younger people as they come under the grey area of “modern classic” as well as a “kit or rebody” insurance wise. Can’t go wrong really for that money! great fun!

 

We've also carried on with the interior of the beautiful red Le mans that came ot us for an interior. The dash is looking stunning, just waiting for leatherwork, dials then will put it all together...secretly hoping we will still have her for the BMS in august as if the lovely customer allows, she would be stunning addition ( along with Ian's No 7 Stirling Moss tribute) to our racing pit stop area! Fingers crossed!

 

We've got a few builds on right now, and a waiting list, which is a hell of a lot of pressure for the three of us but, also is proof we're doing something right.

 

We usually see a lot of Kobra Z3 based rebody kit orders this time of year, as people look for a winter project. They're certainly our easiest build and other than the interior ( which you really don’t need to change if you don’t want to ) they’re relatively simple. The toughest thing you’ll do is fit the fuel pipe. Its an inertia fit and very tough but, it does keep the swear box biscuit fund nicely topped up :@)

 

Speaking of fuel pipe... We had a car in recently that was only built a year or so ago, using usual suppliers for pipe and the pipe had partially ROTTED at the very top. Never seen this before but perhaps proof that the problems we all saw during the pandemic with cheaper items produced to make up the shortfall across the world and panic buying compounding some manufacturers cutting corners/buying in from elsewhere is still having repercussions. Thankfully a days work ( as they're a bugger to access after the bodykit fitted) some new pipe and all good. No fuel grade, correctly marked pipe should perish like that but, the last 3 years nothing surprises me!

 

It is being strongly investigated by the (brilliant) seller with the manufacturer so hopefully we will get an answer soon as will the customer! We changed for free but, still be nice to know why!

 

We do always have to tell our customer not to completely fill the pipe, as the access to the fuel tank is now higher than the traditional BMW Z3 would be.

The BMW Z3 has a hole in the side on flat part before the rear haunches whereas, for most of our kits they become top mounted. This has never been a problem in cars of this type historically as the top grade hose is used, along with elbow joints and metal pipe where needed to avoid any issues but, me being me, I always tell people not to "fill till it clicks" as they're effectively filling the extraneous pipe, as well as the tank! Fiver less than usual is a good guide with all cars where the fuel cap has been modified to sit higher than original, as many rebodies of the 60's style are, Z3 based or otherwise.

 

 Moving forward, if you're not bored yet....

 

Next couple weeks is all go...or at least some to go and more to come in....

 

Simon's Cobra leaves us after the above then tyres and an MOT (fingers crossed for him on that!) before going back to Switzerland to be enjoyed!

 

Red Le Mans... Hopefully leather back and dials arrived so we can get the dash wiring started. Its a convoluted process and certainly not plug and play but with the dials being expertly hand built in England, specifically for the Z3 (even down the the printed circuit boards or PCB's) we always know they will be reliable.

 

Mx250 that has been with one of our painters through a very unexpected business address move will be back soon for a retrofit and back to customer. This ones taken longer than usual but, once back it's lights etc back on, paperwork done then its back to the customer who started the build a few years ago before stalling due to time commitments and passing it to us to finish. This is not like our usual kits as it's based on an Mx5 and kit has been discontinued for some years so its quite rare! A very low profile version of a 60's style rebody that the customer will surely drive with a huge smile once completed.

 

We have 3 cars due to come in for builds once those are gone, which we are running alongide our own builds for private sale so plenty to keep us busy.

 

Plus, in-between all this, having a massive clearout of BMW Z3 parts as we have containers full and very little free space.

 

Thankfully, no accident of the week to report this time apart from the usual donking my head on the wheels of the top car on ramp and seeing stars at least twice a week (got  to be the top injury in ALL workshops that one!)  and Ian doing exactly the same as he’s also a little bit special..... We really need more space but, workshops in our area are extremely hard to come by and very expensive. We stay where we are at the moment mainly so that we do not have to put prices up for customers. It’s a compromise but, I’m sure with more space we would still fall over things!

 

 

In other news... As you may know we take in all kinds of waifs and strays.  You'll probably be wondering how the hedge pigs / ouch mouse's are doing. Well, we have 4 of the sneaky little fellas now and they're all at different stages of weaning, which is fun..

adorable but stinky…. i cannot begin to tell you how cute 6 baby hedghogs of various ages all cuddled together in a hutch is. although they chuffing stink they’re still amazing little things and terribly good for the garden as they eat creepy crawlies and keep the balance nicely.

 

The littlest fella lost a little  weight, so "Barry" is back on the syringe with baby food (Aldi "deluxe chicken squidge" in a squeezy tube) mixed with Kitten biscuits and diluted with puppy milk.  He has started to bite the syringe so those little teeth are nearly through. He does also have a flat bowl of mush with lumpy bits in (very appetising) but to make sure get plenty down him the syringe is a good option.

 

It's beyond disgusting as they're not clean creatures. They like to poop as they eat and table manners are not their forte. Last night, all 4 tried to hijack Barry's tea. I ended up on the sofa covered in baby food with little teeth buds nipping my hands trying to get the bits he spat out and Baby Oleg ( our round russian chihuahua who looks suspiciously like a french bulldog) waiting for the slops. It’s very glamorous!

 

As well as Barry we have,

 

Mugsy, as he was found in a mug. Sneaky little fella., nearly evaded capture but at 100 gram he had no chance without help and indeed, any teeth!

Mugsy is a bit of a hissing brat but ok when he gets to know your smell. He will do brilliantly in the wild with that balled up anger and spiky asshole attitude, a real fighter.

 

Bertie who is super gentle and sweet, been with us since before he cut his first teeth and is now double the size he was and eating semi soft food. We will have to slowly wild him as he gets bigger and he will stay in our own garden and Local area with cat biccies sprinkled about as he is not very independent or worldly wise.

 

Mingy, as we found him with a manky toe and a cut under arm. After some cleaning and scab removal by our wonderful local wildlife surrogate mummy Jane and some "dettol" type baths at home plus wound care hes doing brilliantly and is twice the size of the others.

 

Despite not being siblings they all cuddle up and sleep together at the moment. They tend to get cold when tiny so its ideal.

 

They are all boys, sadly our girl died as she was found in a terrible state with a leg akin to the Elephant man but, hoping for more girlies soon to keep the breed multiplying.

 

They're great little characters, will miss them when they are released but, I'm sure our lovely wildlife rescue lady will provide a steady stream of the little foundlings!

Before I go, there's a lovely lady I should mention. Ann Marie is a facebook friend of mine. We've never actually met, like many FB friends but she has been a great support promoting car shows and also, kindly, us.

 

She has realised that people can be really grumpy in car circles and that's just not cricket! So, there's a new group from Ann Marie called "Monte's Adventures" that's devoted to any adventures/car shows/car info and even general chat.. Only real rule is be nice and not bitchy! They’ve amassed 200 members very quickly which is testament to Ann Marie’s dedication.

monte’s adventures, definitely worth joining. very positive and informative!

 

I have found there to be far too many catty people at car shows belittling peoples creations so this ladies can do attitude of getting everyone together to show pics of their cars, create a community, share events is refreshing and much needed.

 

Please take the time to have a look. Ann Marie owns some lovely vintage cars and goes to so many meets! She really is an inspiration with her huge smile, Cute Kooky style and happy demeanour. I am looking forward to meeting her soon and some of her and her partner Mark’s lovely cars.

 

I'll sign off now as the hedge trimmer and chainsaw calls, it's like a jungle out front, a very pretty one but, if I leave it much longer we will have to be cut out of the vines whilst fleeing from escaped animals Jumanji style.....

 

Enjoy the sunshine (albeit possibly only today as it is Silverstone Grand Prix and Wimbledon this week after all) get out in the fresh air, keep smiling and above all,  enjoy your automotive adventures!

frankie, the rescue maine coon. i’ll tell you his story one day. he is a walking miracle and testament to believing in rehabilitation. he’s over 12 kilo now but was only 4.2 and looked like a stegosaurus when he was found after being accidentally locked in a container for 3 weeks and 1 day. amazing boy,

baby oleg. he was three this week and is just such a funny little chap. this is him waiting for the leftover pureed baby food the hedgehog was eating! oleg is very much led by food!

although, when he is asleep he has the image of a malevolent being… butter wouldn’t melt.. honest!

z3gt build on a z3 ready for our painter. another coming in as soon as this goes for a local chap that’s been so patiently waiting!

simon’s z3 based cobra from the front. the quick jacks really suit the retro modern look,

ian’s own le mans z3 based car… a tribute to the late great sir stirling moss. we also build these! keeps us busy!

with the wonderful goodwood revival coming up in september we’ve been looking out some vintage clothing. not a fan of pictures of myself if i’m honest but, i do think this is a dapper look for us both! although we did joke at the time that i looked like ian’s gangsters moll!! really hoping to go again this year. not even sorted tickets out yet!

Belle/Blondie/Ouchmouse mother...

Blonde's like Spanners Too... Or how to embarrass oneself in front of eminent celebrities by not having a scooby who they are!!

Salisbury motor show with the team at Automotion and friends.

27 June 2023 10:19

Blondie's Blog Three...

Still never ceases to amaze me that anyone wants to read my drivel but, we're now up to 2.5 percent of the total website traffic so either my mum can't sleep and keeps refreshing the page or she's told the Liverpool branch of the family (which is a huge number of people, catholic values and all that!) either way, I am still going.

I'm not the fastest at all this as life is beyond hectic 70 percent of the time and, the other 30 percent, I fall asleep standing up so I'm a little behind telling you about the Salisbury motor show which we were really lucky to be invited to attend and display (along with some wonderful supercars in the posh car corner) by the splediferous chaps behind the British Motor show at Automation.

We really do feel very blessed recently.

Andy Entwistle the CEO has been beyond kind to us, letting us tag along at various pop ups and shows this summer and, has given us some very exciting and unexpected news about our place in the Main British Show that I can tell you more about on the next scribble session... 

So, we turned up to the Salisbury show smack bang in the centre of one of my favourite small cities down south here in sunny England. 

The show was situated right in the market square near the imposing and beautiful cathedral and right opposite the historic guild hall (and thankfully, a Wetherspoons as we were starving!)

I am not afraid to admit that I felt a little humbled having arrived to warm reception from his brilliant smiley team and being given such a wonderful space, amongst all the supercars. It meant  a lot  that people in the industry we've only recently met were so genuinely pleased to see us and so accommodating to our little cars.

Best of all we didn't see a touch, not even a light stroke of public negativity that can so often be associated with static car shows in regard to the quality of the "built not bought "cars that weve seen all too often in the past. we are incredibly lucky to have fallen into such a lovely crowd.

The lovely Sam Hard was on full form as always and despite it being fathers day worked so hard to keep everyone else entertained.

Tim Shaw (car sos) was sadly missing after a recent unexpected op but we are told he is doing just fine.

Paul Cowland of Salvage Hunters classic cars fame and Sam gelled together so well as hosts and kept the pleasantly large crowds happy and entertained all day.

I did however, unsurprisingly make a little bit of a bell of myself...

A Very enviously tall chap turns up in a cracking monster engined beauty of an Audi with a distinctive number plate whilst we were waiting for our friends and customers (Dan of Tech Auto's, Jonathan for whom we built a stunning grey Isabella car and Jason whom has a very cool Nardo grey MX250 kit car)

Dan Walsh of Tech auto’s and his awesome little sidekick. dan is factory five’s only uk agent. this is his daytona and an amazing example of his talent with their kits.

Jason and his mazda based mx250. jason is a customer who has become a friend. decent bloke who loves motorbikes as much as cars. his nardo grey car looks awsomely aged to me but, hes keen to have it repainted. perhaps a project for the winter. note the tribute tshirt! that’ll keep the lads at the factory happy :@)

This lovely smiley chap is Jonathan proudly showing off his prized isabella. we built izzy for jonathan a couple of years back and its fair to say she really is his pride and joy! another customer that has become a friend. jonathan’s izzy will be at the british motor show on our new exciting kit car area in august! 17-20th, dont forget to buy your tickets!!

Now, you have to understand that sport isn't my thing (I cant run with my dodgy ticker and lungs plus, the muscles that play up more days than not) so, watching someone run? akin to torture as I loved to do it  as a young person and was pretty fast (although I used to then pass out) so, I had no idea who this tall chap that was commanding attention despite quietly popping in was..

So here's old Blondie the numpty here moving cars about in the space we had been given trying to make things look nice for pics and this beast of a thing roars up next to us..  I bravely asked him to move it (despite having more tattoos than me) I have to say he was a lovely chap, complete gent and very gentle, said he wasn't invited and only came to help his friend Sam hard today.

all cars placed and tickety boo, off to breakfast....

as we strolled back the area was crowded with public eyeing up his apparently famous super beast of an Audi... turns out it was Iwan thomas MBE the famous welsh sprinter...I felt  a bit of a twat but he was a gent.

Wouldn't be a proper day out if I didn't make a sausage of myself, it's a bit like injury of the week at the workshop and the Wxnker of the week award, which is in fact the inner of an old tube of silicon which is on occasion thrown at the stupidest person. Good job we are a family business, no one to sue us for bullying .ahem, I mean banter!

the day went beautifully.

We met so many lovely members of the public, ate some incredible food ( a particular treat was the  jerk chicken and rice bowl which weighed not far off one kilo from a brilliant independent stall) and most importantly of all, the organisation was perfect as always with Andy's guys at Automation.

 Everyone was smiling , friendly and having a great day. It's been a lovely few weeks tagging along with such a fun, dedicated, hard working bunch!

The long days of shows are tiring, I will admit, not lest for my daughter Emily who tags along and has to manage without her wheelchair all day as they don't fit in the cars.

To put this in context, she has a Collagen disorder, which it appears I gave her yet didnt know I had, yet she copes really well (then sleeps for 2 days!!)

Emily works really hard at Uni  plus has a small business from the age of 11 selling incredibly realistic reborn dolls ( google it, some are cool, some creepy!) and, vintage toys, teddies and all manner of interesting things. She's back at uni doing her masters from September so were making the most of the extra help!

My other daughter Poppy is more of an artist who can take on any given creative task and turn out wonderful results and, James, who is my eldest at 25, is Music mad and a very talented self taught guitar player and singer. Though he can sing normally very well he loves thrash metal which sometimes sounds like he is gargling a throatful of premenstrual females after ten double j'd and cokes..... though it is rather impressive if i'm honest despite me not being a thrash fan ( iron maiden i like, Korn is a little too much!)

I do feel very blessed that they've turned out as they have, even if only one puts up with the car obsession I've been inflicted with  enough to come along!!

so, in other completely car unrelated news .. a few weeks go we found a budgie at the workshop.

Yep... I sheet you not a baby budgie on the grass with no sign of an owner and so tired it was listing worryingly to the side!

After Ben and Ian fashioned a cage from a box and some kit car grille material, fed him what bird seed we had and crumbled biscuits he sat out on a car bonnet  and watched me fibre glass whilst enjoying the sun and chirping away. He is such a funny little chap. super friendly and weirdly tame. I tried to find out where he came from on social media but it remains a mystery..

Turns out he was just a baby, six months max.

Fast forward a couple of days after borrowing a cage from out amazing local rescue lady Jane and we sadly realised that our cats are sneaky Bird-erers of the most cunning kind and with no owner coming forward it was time to find Colin a forever home.

 Colin now lives in a wonderful property on the beach at Stubbington, with Emily's Uni Friend Rosie and their menagerie of bird breeds.

He's a right little cheeky dude. chats like crazy. super tame and very cuddly. Was hard to part with him but, we will be visiting.

We find or are given lots of animals (baby hedgehog with missing toes this week and terrible infection, a 4 week old one soon followed and another tiny is coming tonight ) never a dull moment in the workshop or house.

speaking of the workshop... I probably should be talking about that.

awesome progress this week despite a few days out.

Simon's range rover grey cobra style rep we built last year is in for a full interior with our custom hand made 3 piece dash, quality hand made dials and a mix of leather and carpet inside to give it  a road and race look.

He lives over in Switzerland and brought it back for the above and 3 inch diameter beefy dummy side pipes as well as aa beefed up custom exhaust that will rumble and pop like car rice kripsies ( other cereals are available) as the gears drop.

The little Z3 based Kobra rebodies are stunning in this colour which is probably why we keep getting asked to repeat it after the original (Gareth's car) was featured in Complete kit car magazine as a huge several page spread by Adam Wilkins and his brilliant team last year. It remains one of our proudest builds and Gaz is a proper dude who is always helping us out with shows and publicity! We are very blessed that customers become friends.

We also have a STUNNING Z3 based Le Mans (built privtely back when the previous /original 250 kits were available, it's builds only now and called the Le Mans) that's in all the ay from northern Ireland for a full dashboard, interior and leather etc.

Really lovely car and it helps that the owner is so nice. We're pretty fussy whom we deal with as we need to love what we do.. we made the mistake of building cars for grumpy people and people we were unsure of a couple of times and it saddens the project. After all, that big smile when they drive away and every time they get in their custom build is what it is all about!!

Also this last couple of weeks (as well as continuing on normal customer builds and two very special cars we're building for ourselves to sell) we have been having a catch upon dashes so theyre ready when the next 3 scheduled cars come in.

I've been slowly working on the new mould for our Cobra hardtop roof, waxing it a gajillion times before I attempt laying up the first roof and subsequent wrestling match with a convoluted but awesome shape mould....

So a busy couple weeks as always.. hedgehogs (reminds me of not the nine o clock news, showing my age) Budgies, beef trucking in our old tatty but nimble and reliable transit tow truck down to the factory to get more dashes, sills etc (nice excuse for an hour on beach at weymouth too) dashes, interiors, shows, and.. very little sleep...but, its awesome. Pinch myself some days. Told I wouldn't make 40.... The worlds not getting rid of me that easily. This hard work has changed everything. Its Life blood to me. Even if I do have to collapse every time I get  home, fall asleep when I sit down, during conversations and whilst typing! Worth every tough moment.

next week we are popping up at the end destination of the Ellis Journey at Datchet as the lovely people from Automation have recently taken over this event  too. Sunday early afternoon will see some very amazing very early vehicles rolling to Datchet Green with cars displayed in Horton road car park. It's an incredibly historic event and more details can be found on the British motor shows Facebook pages. It looks fun!

Also,  more glass fibre antics and I need to change the front pads on Rita the rover ( shes not broken this week despite Ian constantly teasing Discovery's are called "offroad" for  good reason) before I upset the callipers and, loosen the stuck turbo actuator as shes currently as slow as snail chasing a jumbo jet with unburnt fuel emitting on harsh acceleration,. Easy job but finding the time is a challenge!!

So, as usual I've rambled on too long, thankyou for reading and I'm now going to eat a huge bag of sweets now to keep me awake long enough to start planning our INCREDIBLE new opportunity of the new "kit car area" at the upcoming British Motor Show in August. To say I'm excited is as understated as my most evil cat saying she kind of enjoys catching rats.. It's going to be incredible....more news to come!

Have an awesome week. Smile, laugh, cry and above all, make memories every day.

Belle, waif and stray animal and vehicle collector

X

Colin. hes a legend.

such a legend in fact that he deserves to be featured twice!

A real beauty in for full interior. the le mans is available at present as full build from 30k plus donor bmw z3 vehicle. other options available but this is my fave

3 piece custom made cobra dash mocked up before restripping, wiring and fitting to vehicle.

hard to imagine this can be turned into something utterly stunning with some bodywork and magic

Young emily haVINg some downtime after helping at the workshop with stock organisation and clearing junk

all set up and ready for the day at salisbury motor show

this lovely gent is peter. hes led an amazing life having driven and built many vehicles. i wish i had more time to go thorugh all this incredible photo’s and stories. i hope to catch up with him soon and would love to write something formally to celebrATE HIS ACHIEVEMENTS. HE CERTAINLY HAS A GLINT IN IS EYE WHEN HE SPEAKS ABOUT CARS!

A VERY DIFFERENT TYPE OF KIT CAR! THIS ONES FIRMLY ON MY LIST!!

ANOTHER REAL BEAUTY. THIS MG’S INTERIOR WAS STUNNINGLY COLOUR MATCHED.

FROM REAR LEFT, JONATHAN CHINSKY, IWAN THOMAS, SAM HARD, PAUL COWLAND AND LITTLE OLD ME WITH OUR ISABELLA. THESE ARE AVAILABLE AS KITS TO BULD AT HOME OR, OF COURSE, FULL BUILDS FROM BUDGET ALL THE WAY TO SUPER SHINY AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN!

OUR LITTLE TATTY TIGER SUPER SIX WITH 2.0 PINTO AND BIKE CARBS ARRIVING AT SALISBURY SHOW. WE HAVE LIVERIED HER WITH SOME PROMO VINYL WRAP STICKERS AS WE LIVE LOCALLY TO THE MAIN MOTOR SHOW HOPING TO DRUM UP SOME TICKET BUSINESS!

JASON ARRIVING IS HIS MX250 IN NARDO GREY WITH LAMBO STYLE DOORS THIS KIT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED FOR MANY YEARS. THEY’RE PRETTY RARE.

OUR LITTLE TIGER HAVING SOME WORK. THE SEATS WERE A LITTLE LOOSE SO NEW STAINLESS BOLTS. WE’VE ALSO REMOVED AND SHORTENED THE CENTRE CONSOLE TO MAKE HER MORE COMFY FOR 2 PEOPLE AND WILL BE REFINISHING THE INTERIOR WITH CUSTOM CARPET SOON. SHE WILL BE AT THE BRITISH MOTOR SHOW IN OUR “KIT CAR” AREA AT THE ENTRANCE TO HALL 5

HAD TO ADD SOME HEDGEPIG/OUCHMOUSE PICTURES AS THEY’RE SO SWEET. ALL 3 ARE CURENTLY DOING OK BUT, ONE HAS A VERY BADLY DAMAGED FOOT AND POSSIBLE SEPTICEMIA SO, WATCHFUL WAITING FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AS WELL AS INTENSIVE TREAMENT, NOTHING TO DO WITH CARS BUT, OUR LIFE IS SO VARIED AND WHO DOESN’T LOVE A CUTE ANIMAL PIC!!

bERTIE… YESTERDAY HE CUT TWO TEETH, HE IS PROBABLY 5 WEEKS OLD NOW ( HARD TO TELL) AND EATING “REAL FOOD” WHICH IS GOOD AS WATERED DOWN BICCIES AND MILK IN A SYRINGE/BOWL STINKS AND IS A PAIN TO FEED THE WRIGGLY ONES WITH!! HES DOING BRILLIANTLY AND WILL BE RELEASED IN A SAFE WILD PLACE WHEN HES A LITTLE BIGGER.

Blondes Like Spanners Too... Or, A very full sponge gathers no moss!

Blondie’s Blog Number Two…

03/06/2023 15.26 pm

Blondie's Blog Number Two…

So, you're still here. Thank you (and I'm shocked. Or, you're bored!)

 

I'm trying to work out a formula for each Bloggy type scrawling but, I'm not quite there yet so you'll get whatever comes into my brain. I apologise for that to the purists but, I guess that's who I am so, at least it's accurate!

 

This week has been chaos. I mean, it's often chaos, but, this last few weeks the heat’s built, which often floors me for various boring health reasons. All sorts of exciting things have happened and as I'm a little bit broken ( but bloody determined to embrace these opportunities) it's worn me out more than usual.

 

Yesterday, i took a "quick" drive to Dorset, to Tribute Automotive.

 

These Tyvek and 3M mask clad geniuses in disguise supply some of our BMW Z3 based GRP kits.

 

We have been Tribute’s agents for a few years now and count ourselves very lucky as we ended up this way purely by accident.

 

We've always sold their kits and been their build agent but now we are working with them to produce new and interesting things… which will be revealed as time and money allows.

 

For those unfamiliar with the wonder that is a GRP product its (very basically) layers of fibre glass matting laid onto pre-prepped moulds with gel coat (of varying amounts depending on desired use or finish of moulds) painted thickly into them and allowed to cure then, generously loaded with stinky eye watering but awesome resin which eventually goes rock hard and can be used to turn all sorts of wondrous ideas into useful shapes.

 

Those shapes in our case include… full car body kits, bolt on replacement panels for BMW Z3's and various interior parts to complement our body kits

 

I'll go into GRP in more detail another time. I have a love hate relationship with the stuff. Stinky, sticky, eye watering, messy but one of the coolest products I've ever utilised.

 

Back to the journey from hell….

 

The trip was needed but the timing ill advised.  Last weekday of the school holiday, sunny as hell, heading towards some of the most beautiful and warm beaches in the south, in parts where this is only a one lane per side road to get to dozens of insanely popular destinations and which houses many many camping/motorhome/caravan sites that Clarkson would rubbing his hands together in glee at, whilst envisioning a visit armed with 4 star and a match/ tow hook and a nearby cliff /monster truck.

 

Sun, holiday time, Rita the Rover just out the repair shop what could possibly go wrong...

 

7.5 hours from Amazingstoke and back again and, Rita the Rover (my trusty and oftentimes broken land rover D3 with a winch and some cracking off road tyres that I admit I bought to play in puddles and tow the car trailer...ok, mainly to play) had blown a fuse... Not just any fuse but the climate control one. I didn't have a spare 10 amp. Every other mini fuse but that one.

 

It was chuffingly beggeringly groin sweatingly hot.

 

I am sporting one burnt arm and leg a very pink nose (despite factor 50) and now know what poppadums feel like when they hit the oil... It was not funny.

 

But, it did give me time to realise how bizarrely mixed my iTunes list was.... I hit random and everything from my coveted dance and drum and bass to The great luciano Pavarotti with the Beach Boys and Ella Fitzgerald jumping in between.

 

On a side note… I have a funny story for another time a "gent" that claimed he was mistaken for Pavarotti regularly voice wise but was - on video evidence that said gent sent me often at 11pm - dread to think what he was doing- actually near tone deaf!

 

I was even treated to the Pogues proclaiming that I was an old sl't n drunk....as were the 40 cars or more around me as the stereo in that old beastie is rather impressive! Kept me amused in a strange way.

 

Left at 9, should have been home at 12.30 ish.. Got to the workshop to unload at 4.30 smelling like a turnip, which was very attractive. Especially when we embarked on the local (posh) public house on the way home for food.

Fish pie no less. Why do smells by half!

 

So, as for why I was visiting Tribute.... We’ve been changing a few things for the better in regards to both the kits they provide, the interiors we do together and the new projects/kits that we are combining on, one mould for which I collected today.

 

This week Chris the mad professor of all things GRP had made us a really nice new mould to incorporate both of our current centre console replacement tunnel pieces (the square period type that can be used for the Le Mans, Isabella, Cobra, Z507 and Z3GT kits as well as any other BMW Z3 based kits from other manufacturers) into one large piece, so that its easier for me to make them. He did a cracking job.

 

I'm looking forward to webbing my fingers together with resin/matting and splashing up anything in reasonable proximity next week to try it out.

 

A Z3gt period style dash with glovebox front also made its way in for a customer that's having fully hand made dials, customised finish and being fitted into  a "James bond style" full car build in the unimitable  Silver Birch paint and a stunning soft leather interior.

 

We are up to three of those now, Max's car (see website and Ian's amusing Bond style You Tube video) obviously really impressed people! I think we will be building a few more yet.

 

Also on board were 3 sets of widebody Z3 sills. We Make those (and narrow body) for the "undoctored" BMW Z3 community, as well as provide LOADS of spares for these little buzz bombs.

 

It's fair to say we save a lot more little Z3's than we rebody so we've been accepted in to the Z3 community and even allowed an honorary place at their meets with our "Frankenstein" Z3's. They're a great bunch.

 

We will be growing the Z3 parts side of the business when we have time, partly as there's huge demand but also, as we have over a thousand spare parts from panels to switches and everything in between cluttering up our small but functional workshop/containers/garages/sheds.

 

The beauty of rebodying the BMW Z3  is that nothing gets wasted. All outer metal panels simply bolt off. A Few trim tools, an 8mm socket and a 13mm for the bonnet and the cars are naked and ready to rebody... This also means that there is no individual vehicle testing needed, they're a rebody through and through as the monocoque chassis stays as is.

 

It's a simple free process to change the V5 to reflect what it looks like now (which we help with) and then they're fully road legal, MOT compliant and with the Z3 base, these 60's style emulations are more reliable than any 60's car! They really are a wonder.

 

Another beauty of these little Buzz Bombs is that they are now classed as "modern classics" and cheaper to insure both as a Z3 and rebodied so, we're seeing more and more younger people on board. Some are even ULEZ compliant (for the time being anyway!)

 

I am a huge fan of the Z3. I own 2, and a Z4 for that matter (I have too many cars if I’m honest)

 

I find it weird that I'm regularly told I am a Z3 expert. It surprises me as I'm just a natural information sponge. Instead of bacteria (as would a sponge) I collect information both immensely useful and totally useless at a rate of knots (yet bizarrely cannot remember what I did five minutes ago) My brain (and often, ashamedly my mouth) doesn't stop day and night. It's a blessing and a curse!

 

Truth is, I've learned recently this lack of sitting still, weird illnesses, need for information, answers, facts, butting in when people talk (sorry) as I already know the answer, starting a dozen things, finishing none and overly verbose manner etc, etc,  isn't actually intentional.

 

It’s a condition. It's always been there I just didn’t have (or need) a name for it. I was just the weird one who knew everything and nothing all at the same time and got so tired they could fall asleep talking from the weight of any given situation and all the brain activity it creates!

 

Some would say it is hard work but, now I know why (roughly) what it is a lot of questions in my tightly packed, hypervigilant, effervescent head sponge have been answered.

 

I love many things in life.  I get excited far too easily by anything and everything but, when I get focused on one item be it a vehicle/animal/ vegetable/mineral and at one point forensics (the cadaver type) I cannot help but learn all I can about it.

 

It's not a competitive urge, some female need to say "I know more about it than the chaps" its just my way with everything around me.

 

I need to know facts, all the time, I need to fix things (and people) all the time.

 

Does make for a very full tired spongey head filling at times but, I love what we do so that is a small price to pay on that side of things.

 

Enough about me, thought I best mention that bit as it sets aside a few things. Not least that challenges can be opportunities, if you see the world in the right light. I've lived through some incredible challenges and still feel the need to be positive and crack on where possible… hence why my hyper sponge is a blessing. To me anyway.

 

So…Back to the daily grind.

 

How did we get to play with these little toys? That's a long story. I'll leave that for another time as I was reminded of it by recent events and it wasn't a smooth ride at times. Eventful (perhaps even funny now I look back on it) but also stressful and, today is not the day for that.

 

Speaking of today…..  It's the kit car event of the year the national kit car show.

 

Stoneleigh I hear you say? well, after a few sad years where many in the industry  tell me they watched with disdain as it declined hugely from its boom of a few years ago, it has had a fresh injection of interest with the resurgence of a love of all things I.C.E (much like a lot of the Internal Combustion Engine industry in the last ten years or so)

 

As part of this, it is no longer called "STONELEIGH" as it has now moved to three counties showground in Malvern, Worcestershire.

 

We didn't exhibit this year as getting the time away from workshop and home is tough right now for various reasons but, I had intended to show my face

 

The last few weeks have been pretty tiring however. Very positive with all the pop up shows for the British motor show in August but, tiring.  The idea of potentially driving 5 hours (its 2 hours away max normally but after yesterday the seeds of doubt are there.....) didn't fill me with joy at 5am this morning. Nor did waking up with very very sore joints and bones as I often do despite a lot of medication.

 

I chose to stay home and have an admin/cleaning/play with guinea pigs,dogs,cats and, prepare for a boot fair I'm doing tomorrow to start to clear containers full of vintage "stuff" now Rita the rovers working again (making hay while the sun shines, it’s a land rover, she will be back on a ramp imminently no doubt!)

 

Ian and Ben popped down briefly to Malvern in the tiger super six instead.

 

Ian is my better half, Ben his son.. We run this little project (and hopefully retirement business) together.

 

There's pics of our mugs on our website and in few kit car magazines if you want to put faces to names, or scare yourself  along with some nice car porn and some wonderful pic of the "country estate" where we are based (rented unit, we are poor and humble)  that makes us look bigger better and flashier than we are.

 

I don’t envy the chaps in inevitable sat/holiday/caravan traffic in a fully open sided open top car today But, the little tiger is great fun.

 

Parker the tiger was bought on a whim after Ian sold his 2 merlin plus 2 kits. We named him after Richard |Parker, the tiger from the strange but wonderfully thought provoking film "the life of Pi"

 

Parker had one owner for 22 years whom I have been in touch with and has now bought a brand new upgrade!

 

Then he was sold back to Tiger Racing as a part exchange, bought for a bit of fun by a lovely chap whose built several vehciles to play about in. He kept him for 8 fun filled months and now she is our most marvellously thrilling doughnut making machine!

 

Bloody marvellous thing, I am told they go round roundabouts sideways, tyres tunefully SCREAMING!!!

Only a 2.0 Pinto onboard but, add bike carbs and weighing less than wolf from gladiators (probably) and it really is a bloody marvellous piece of kit.

 

It even stops now, which is handy, thanks to a front brake upgrade from Tiger Racing. Parker has always been looked after by Tiger so has great history and was a steal price wise. Felt rude not to buy him!

 

After the summer he's getting a makeover.... complete strip down, powder coat the jewson lot, Powerflex bushes ( naturally as we are Powerflex agents - as well as BC Racing agents!) a spray job... the lot.

 

For now he's wearing some branding  and QR codes to help out promoting the british motor show in August, We are lucky that it is very near to us, in Farnborough so will be having an area for us, our customers and some of our friends in the industry.

 

We were blessed to be invited to attend  and display at both the local pop up shows and, will be at the main Salisbury car show on the 18th June in the city centre with the same lovely bunch of positive, car loving people.

 

Hopefully parker will drum up a little more interest for the main august show as we whizz him about but, in the meantime, I hope we see lots of you at the Salisbury show.

 

The legend that is Sam Hard of Hard up Garage will be there, as will the exceptionally hard working charming and funny chap Tim Shaw from Car SOS and Brown car guy, who is such a gentle funny knowledgeable chap.

 

We have Dan from Tech Auto's joining us with his very special build as well as a couple of lovely friends and customers with their Z3 based cars.

 

I'm hoping to see lots of great people there to carry on the positive fun spirit of the last 2 pop up's we've been fortunate to be included in thanks to the lovely chaps who run the British Motor Show, not least, Andy Entwistle who works so hard and always has a smile

 

I'll leave it there as no doubt you're dying for a cuppa or a comfort break by now…….. still not sure if these blog things should be short or long but I'm learning (constructive well meant feedback appreciated)

 

See some of you Sunday and, whatever you're driving this week happy motoring, It's certainly great weather for a trip out!

 

Belle/Blondie/Turnip.

 

Blonde's Like Spanners Too... Or, how did I stumble across this wonderland of all things I.C.E and noisy!

Sunday 28/05/2023…

“The day after I turned 46, The introduction, Scribbles or some similar title”…

Morning chaps and "Chapesses" I'm Belle, part of the irregularly greased yet somehow fast rolling team that is Classiccoachworks.org and APPARENTLY.... That's unusual as I'm missing something generally found in/on vehicle restorers/ assemblers/ mechanics /general workshop peoples (I'll give you a clue, its not a spanner) yup, I'm essentially female, although many would argue otherwise! 

We are nothing special really, just a small family business that plays with cars.

We rebody BMW z3's into very pretty 60's style classics, build and refurbishes kit cars, play with normal cars, buy, sell, invent and generally muddle our way through various dirty old engines, bits of fibreglass and some very very cool cars.

 You name it, we try it. Sometimes fail but on the whole, we do ok.  its a bit  more complicated than that but ill explain more later.

I am most definitely not a professional blogger, my typing is way too fast, I don't spell check, I use sentences that are usually far too big for the context, I'm overly verbose, I cant sit still, unless I'm off my feet with various weird wonderful and mainly very annoying bodily misfunctions (which is a lot in the  winter but less so in the warmer climes... Partly exacerbated by not sitting still!)

I like to make sure everyone's smiling, don't take myself too seriously and am happy to poke fun at myself. Well that's what I'm told anyway, always weird to hear an unknown type about themselves, even weirder to type it....

O, and my language is rather colourful at times... Hence not minding my nickname of "Bellend" (as well as the clean version "Blondie")

Don't particularly like talking about myself but, I have recently been made aware that females still face huge prejudice in the automotive industry, that there are far too few of us and we can't have that!  I'm told by some wonderful people along the way that us spanner birds can help that if we are made visible, more so than we currently are.

So, I'm here to embarrass myself (and of course my family hopefully make people laugh (with me or at me, I don't mind!), by my random scrawling's.

Should one female follow me into this industry in any guise, I will have made a difference, cant get better than that really so here goes (IF you're not asleep yet)

It started out as a hobby, as these things often do. Or perhaps it started out as an obsession with all things gas fuelled and noisy, memories from youth, the smell and roar as I clung onto my late fathers waist on one of his many bikes roaring round the M25 and country roads at breakneck speed (safety awareness has moved on since the 80's and 90's!) as a very young girl, the Landrover we had with leaf springs that all but destroyed my our backs! Or hysterically (at the time and in several family gatherings since where the story was relayed and grew, as these things do, with time)  my wonderful sister Dawn standing up then falling spectacularly on her bum on the flip up seats of the  black cab we had (with a yellow roof no less!) as a family with 4 children simply couldn't have a normal car safely back in the days before the wonder that is the people carrier.

As you can imagine, with such vehicles we were often the butt of the bullies jokes at catholic school, but, thanks to my fathers do it attitude and mum and dads brilliant work ethics in sometimes tough times, we ALWAYS had a car, even a caravan and boat too. We were pretty blessed, even if I didn't realise that at the time.

Often, the engines would be in bits with me as a willing (perhaps a little ham-fisted)  volunteer to help dad.

And there in the large metal shed dad shared with our goat "Sally" in the large pretty immaculately kept garden of a lovely old 4 bed old council property in Hampshire began my obsession with all things ICE.

Fast forward 30 odd years, 3 children, lots of health issues, some utterly dreadful experiences and many more wonderful ones, and Cars of many types are a huge part of my life. Often much to the bemusement and frustration of my long suffering family and friends who tolerate very well my inability to sit still, focus, remember plans, keep up with housework like I used to but to the great benefit of myself as finally, I fit in somewhere. Not a bad place to be either.

Having convinced myself for so many years I can't do certain things due to many health problems, and discrepancies between how others see me and how I see myself I am now fortunate enough to have been thrown into a world of beautiful petrol (and occasionally diesel) fired ICE beauties, and I really love it.

SO, as ive probably covered the basics (serious, daft, explanatory and humorous) I'll leave you there, before you get too bored as apparently, this blog lark has to be an ongoing thing... I have no idea what to write next!

Belle. (Blondie/Bellend)

Classicccoachworks.org