Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Fate

I posted last summer that the Lexus dealership I'd been writing service for since 1999 had let me go after a couple of outpatient back surgeries less than a year apart.

I worked for an Audi dealership from October through the holidays, then took some time off compliments of our wonderful unemployment insurance system.

Not really looking to go back into the new car dealership business, (looking to not have to work 11-hour days and Saturdays), and having no desire to commute 2 hours/day, I found opportunities close to home fairly limited, and I really wasn't even sure how or where to start.

By chance one day, I get a call to send my resume to an independent repair shop.

I am now the Service Manager at MOTORCARS LTD. They've been in business since 1972, and we specialize in Jaguar and Land Rover.

Most of our clients are second-hand owners, if not outright collectors. I do feel for the "yuppies" (can I still call them that?) who own the Rovers to have the status symbol, and are totally dismayed by the repair needs and mechanical breakdowns those vehicles suffer....I see 8-10 Rovers come in a week, and maybe 3-4 Jaguar.

I've also got a Classic Cars repair shop specializing in vintage Jaguar, MG, MGB, Austin-Healey, Triumph, ect.. I even had a 1960 Sunbeam Rapier in the shop over the last month. He picked it up Friday.

Virtually no voice mail, only 2-6 incoming vehicles/day, I have 3 techs, a couple of support techs, a machine shop, a salvage operation, an extensive inventory of used Jaguar and Land Rover parts, an assistant up front with me, and a wonderful gentleman that owns all of this that I know appreciates me as much as I admire him.

In short, I'm in car repair heaven, if there is such a thing from someone with my perspective on it. It's only 4 1/2 miles from home, without even having to get onto a freeway, it's ultra-casual dress code, and if it ever quits raining and cools off just a tad, I'm going to ride to work every day. I even come home for lunch every day and let my dogs out.

We're BRITISH all they way!

Cool beans!!! It's great to get a break once in a while! And coincidentally, I'm just a couple of carb parts ordered to getting my Triumph GT6 back on the road again, hopefully next week. I've always loved my British stuff, both cars and bikes. AND, I might mention it here that I'm thinking of getting rid of my "rough" but running 61 TR3A, if you think of anyone who might be interested. I'm thinking maybe just the "left nut" might suffice!

It great when fate deals you a good hand sometimes!on getting a sweet job.

"I've always loved my British stuff, both cars and bikes."
Rich I didn't know you were a masochist.
Jaguar cars really look cool but we always said you need two.One being fixed while the other ran.
The Mk11 was a really great looking car IMO but young dudes here would replace the engines with reliable V8s .

Talking about Yuppies.I read a while back about a Yuppie who knew nothing of motorcycles, wanting to buy a Vincent motorcycle through a dealer.He'd heard they were the "ultimate"bike.The dealer found one but the guy didn't want it 'cause it said HRD and not "Vincent" on the tank!

Niiiiice!

Congratz- sounds like a quality place to be. I guess if you like to walk around all day looking at Jags, Land Rovers, and Classic cars. Now walk into the owner's office and demand a inside parking place for your bike in your office.

Most excellent. Most excellent indeed.

Great news Keith, glad to see you landing on your feet.
Maybe this is the one that see's you into retirement when you're ready.

As soon as I read ... "I am now the Service Manager ... Jaguar and Land Rover ... I thought, you'll be busy then
I've had 3 Land Rovers and 2 Classic Range Rovers.
The Landys were great. Series III 88" was my favourite, Freelanders aren't as bad as people make out and my 110 station wagon could go anywhere.
The Range Rovers, not so much. Head gasket (s?) went on the 4.2 and transmission shat itself on the 3.9
A friend of mine had a Jag X-Type which was a complete POS. Getting rid of that was one of his better decisions - that and selling his P38 Range Rover.
That thing near enough bankrupt him with the cost repairs

Congrats and good luck with the new job.

.