Charles Radclyffe's FULL Testimonial
Do YOU have a treasured classic car and wish you were capable of doing all your own mechanical work? Or maybe not only the skill, but also the necessary tools and facilities to be confident that the work is achieved to the highest standard? Well that was me last spring, before I came across Graham Williams.
Graham is a skilled engineer with years of practical experience, with a workshop so immaculate that you could literally eat your food off the floor! He has the toolbox to die for and an engineering shop laid out like an operating theatre!
When I contacted Graham I explained that my Dad’s 1967 primrose MGB roadster (his pride and joy), was in need of a major engine overall and that I wished to keep the original engine and not buy a reconditioned unit. My Dad was going on holiday for three months, so it was a perfect opportunity to surprise him with a roaring engine at the airport on his return!
The engine used oil and the fumes were really terrible when the hood was up, she’s a very attractive girl (the only mistress he is allowed these days), he said "No problem you can strip her down (with my supervision) and we can get the engineering bits done, no problem" .
Graham guaranteed that I would achieve more than I ever thought I could do, and so there it was, the stripping down, washing the oily parts, some of which had been there for quite a while, the grinding in of the valves. With Graham’s supervision it was both an educational and a rewarding experience to actually be ‘hands on’ with the full knowledge that the completed reconditioning of my Dad’s beloved MG engine was to a large extent, my work. I know I couldn’t have done it on my own.
The icing on the cake (quite literally on some days) was that when the work of the day was completed I could join my partner in the converted barn cottage which was ours for the duration of the work; it was lovely to close the workshop doors, walk over to the cottage, open the door and smell not only the meal being cooked but the wonderful smell of oak in Whitehall Farm Cottage. That’s not to mention the smell of bacon sandwiches drifting into the workshop during the morning!
We had a free day while awaiting spares to arrive so off we went to explore the delights of the Malvern Hills, beautiful scenery, plenty of safe walks and some wonderful pubs and restaurants to enjoy.
Whitehall Farm is ideally situated at the foot of the Malvern Hills, between Malvern and Upton-upon-Severn, the barn is divided into two cottages, Thresher’s Cottage sleeps 4 and Orchard Cottage and sleeps 2.
So if you would like a supervised challenge, a break in the countryside and the satisfaction of working on YOUR treasured MG (or any other classic car) contact Graham Williams for details of how he can help you achieve what I did. I know my Dad’s car is now in great mechanical shape as well being a pleasure to drive, a very attractive car, much admired and I can drive with the hood up if I get caught in a shower without getting choked by nasty fumes.
