None of our young guys were at the shop today to work. Ken came in later in the day to work a little on his "new" 1972 Honda motorcycle which he was successful in starting, if ever so briefly.
Mark is almost done with the 1979 MGB LE bodywork
Curt worked away on the 1974 TR6 suspension.
Casey worked on the MGA restoration
I worked on the carbs on the 1937 MG VA
Tech time brought about six enquiries in rapid succession -- so quickly that I didn't write them down. I remember one in which we traced an electrical malfunction to the ignition relay. Then I received several calls about the Technical Seminars -- one from a fellow in Napa Valley (or closeby) and one from a fellow in Chesaning MI who wants to restore a Ford Falcon.
Earlier in the day Col J called several times to coordinate the collection of his TR3. This guy wears the same jacket that he did flying P-51s in the big WWII!
Then, midday, Brandon DeHaan, a former employee stopped by. It's always a treat to see Brandon. He works for the police force at Grand Valley State University -- gosh, I'll bet he's been there for fifteen years. He last worked for us the summer of 1994, just after our move from Eastern Avenue. Brandon's 6'7", his wife 6'5" and their daughter is 6"7" at least. She has a full athletic (basketball) scholarship to MSU. Bully for her!
Earlier in the day Tom B stopped by to collect his black TD. I had to provide a little more freeplay in the clutch and fit a clutch pedal stop so the clutch would not overthrow.
My son James and his buddy Colin worked in the Boy Scout trailer, cleaning out some old food and washing some items. The troop stores the trailer at my shop.
If you've made it this far, you'll want to know about the poster hanging on the wall. In the very early days of University Motors I had a young man, Sonny, working for me. His girlfriend was (and, I expect, still is) extremely talented. She was attending Kendall School of Art. One of her projects was to make a pen and ink (is that right?) drawing, so she came down to the shop, sat for hours sketching. We were all REALLY excited about the drawing she was preparing. Finally the day came. She unveiled it. Man! It was beautiful! But - Classic Auto Restoration???? Why didn't it say "University Motors." She explained that she was a professional woman and we would have to pay her to include our name on her drawing. She didn't even leave a copy. This copy I gleaned from a customer who has hazarded upon it at a framing shop. This would have been the first "official" UML poster -- gosh, we'd be using it today! In the end, I doubt anyone ever paid the gal anything for the poster. Misplaced loyalties!
