Recommend a garage?

Hi all,

I own a rather lovely '84 VS which is in a bit of a mess. After much debate I realise I've probably bitten off more than I can chew - progress is way too slow. I just can't do any meaningful work in current situation - that is, stuck in a council garage a few miles from my home, which has about six inches of clearance on either side, and no mains electricity. I've got no driveway or garage at home, so I'm stuck.

I'd like to hand work over to a classics garage just to get her roadworthy, after which I'm then more than happy to do cosmetic/small jobs myself. I'm not afraid of working on cars (evidenced by my ancient Mercedes daily) but I can't do the big jobs in the council garage I've got.

Anyone have any recommendations for garages? I'm in the South West - Cheltenham, but more than happy to hire a trailer and take her where needed. Any advice happily received! And sorry for the essay...

Hello Tom, I am also in Cheltenham! didn't know there were so many x1/9s in town know of a couple of decent garages, drop me a line 07779908510. I feel your pain on council garages btw, I returned mine after it becak pond-like. Chris

I'm in almost exactly the same position and have pretty well given up. I spent some time Googling the subject and found one outfit in the midlands who had done An extensive renovation for one client, they told me that they'd charged 15k. By chance the car appeared on eBay the week after, perhaps you saw it. The owner sold it for let than 3 k. In short the car still didn't work and he wanted to end the pain. He was not happy with the garage although I found them credible to talk to, impossible to tell how things will work out therefore. The one expert in this country won't answer emails. I tried to break it down job by job so asked a local 'specialist classic car welder' to do some work for me, he replied that 'it was difficult' so I gave up on him too.
This is why so many of the good people on this forum have high skills, it seems the only way to own these cars. No doubt it's true of Etype, Healy, Ford and all other makes too. Sorry for the negativity but we need to learn.

I do sometimes wonder if garages view an x1/9 owners as Ferrari owners?

Yep, it's a crap garage down off the Lower High Street - roof leaks, the walls have nails poking out, and there's always someone f*king parked in front of it! - but as I live in a terraced house with on-street parking it's my only choice.

I'll drop you a line later Chris, any help gratefully appreciated...

We have Rees Brothers here in Aldershot.

They have been going since God was a boy and have a decent reputation.

I have recently used them to do some trim stitching on both my X1/9 and my Fiat Coupe. I was happy with what they have done and the cars currently in their workshops look like they are being done properly.

Here's a link: reesbros.co.uk/

Is Nick Troth near Welshpool too far? He's the expert!
Dave Morris

I'm from Hartley Wintney so will try them , thanks

Hi Tom, really sad to read your dilemma I do hope you can come up with a solution. They are lovely cars and deserve to be put back on the road. If I lived closer I would have most certainly give up some time to help.

Dave

Tom Wiltshire wrote: Yep, it's a crap garage down off the Lower High Street - roof leaks, the walls have nails poking out, and there's always someone f*king parked in front of it! - but as I live in a terraced house with on-street parking it's my only choice.

I'll drop you a line later Chris, any help gratefully appreciated...

i didnt even know there were garages down the lower high street, amazing were people park down there... mine was just off the gchq roundabout, was 2 inches deep in water when i gave it back! sweet man, let me know. I have another xxie project to work with now so will be getting stck in! chris

David Owen Morris wrote: Is Nick Troth near Welshpool too far? He's the expert!
Dave Morris

Do you have contact details for Nick?

Having finally sold my other car I'll have the money to make (hopefully) a decent start on the car.

Budget's not unlimited but I always prefer to give the cash to somebody who knows what they're doing!

Hi Tom,
if its the Nick I know he was very helpful to me when I needed two rear wish bone arms. I drove down to pick them up. He lives near Ludlow out in the sticks...I got a bit lost and he came out to meet me, I was able to follow him back to his place all be it behind a cloud of dust his X19 was amazing. Check his website out its www.p1x-2000.co.uk

It's generally best to contact Nick by telephone. He doesn't reply to emails too quick.

He is very helpful and a nice chap and yes, his car is just ace as well