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Aug 23, 2021 14:38:09 GMT
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The unofficial retro apprenticeship is the self taught principles of owning / maintaining / enjoying retro cars over a long period. Myself i started in 1970 with an Austin A30 saloon in light blue with Speedwell goodies now rare and worth a fortune and steadily continued through the next 51 years never making a profit / probably made some losses / surprisingly only owned 60 retro cars in all that time but what a great journey of discovery.
Never set out with any plan except to do as much work on any car as i could mostly to save money / money in essence i never had to save anyway.
Met some amazing people with fantastic like minded cars / done deals far and wide / posted big and little parcels of spare parts worldwide and equally received my fair share of parcels over the years with that must have spare part.
Only progressed as far as an old Audi after years of retro apprenticeship but its kept me sane and short of money. There is nothing better i can recommend.
Tell us your retro apprenticeship story ?
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Last Edit: Aug 23, 2021 14:40:23 GMT by Quasimoto
Started out with nothing and have most of it left.
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fogey
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,591
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Aug 23, 2021 18:56:21 GMT
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When I started driving in the mid 70s all I could afford were 10 - 15 year old cars - in those days they weren't known as 'retros', just 'old bangers'. Had already gained some mechanical experience as a youngster messing around and building bicycles (it all helps) and helping my older brother on his Minors and Anglias. Dad was/is a lifelong old school engineer (went in the factory gates at 15 in 1940 as an apprentice and came out the same gates - albeit under different ownership - in 1988 as retired Production and Plant Manager) so his knowledge was invaluable too.
Always worked on my own cars and have always tried to buy my own tools whenever and whatever I needed - now have virtually everything from a spanner to a lathe (including welding gear and a compressor etc). Eventually spent 6 years or so contributing technical features to car magazines (long out of that now . . . ). Never had any formal training so most of what I've said or written might be total plop!!!
The important thing is, I've enjoyed it all, learnt a lot, and now, semi-retired, I have more time to spend doing it and all the tools I need.
The only real problem is space - there's never enough space . . . .
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Last Edit: Aug 23, 2021 18:57:34 GMT by fogey
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Aug 25, 2021 15:07:13 GMT
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I worked in the maintenance department of Europcar car rentals, we were all self taught and made our decisions on experience.
One day the boss told us he'd employed another maintenance controller, a guy with all the letters after his name, and more qualifications than we had between us!
A crisis meeting in the pub followed, and my supervisor said. 'well let's give him a chance, see how he gets on.'
He started the following Monday, and didn't last the week!
He might have had more certificates than he knew what to do with, but he didn't know one end of a spanner from the other, and he was horrified that we'd do things like sending exrental cars to auction with a fully charged battery and no warning light, because the alternator was dead.
No substitute for experience
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I went to university so didn't do an apprenticeship. I'd like to be considered for access to the staff workshop though - can I submit my CV for consideration?
Curriculum Vitae
Full name: Jonny69
Address: [REDACTED because internet]
Contact number: [REDACTED because internet]
Email address: [REDACTED because internet]
Personal statement:
Been into old cars since day 1. Actually only owned classic cars up to 2016 when job change forced ownership to a modern vehicle. Didn't really get on with it and defaulted back to silly old rubbish at the next job change. Currently looking to return to old skillset when time permits and to start to transfer knowledge and skills to next generation so that knowledgebase is not lost in the transfer to low car carbon economy.
Career:
2016-present: Mk1 Honda Insight daily, minor modifications, Surrey
2009-2016: 1967 Ford Anglia daily
2008-2010: 1927 model T hotrod daily, flathead V8
2006-2008: 1954 ford Popular daily
Secondments:
2017-2018: Mercedes A Class daily (note: not relevant but included for continuity reasons)
2015-2018: 1965 Citroen Ami with lowerment. Second car. Collaboration with Dez Stringer Fab. where he did all the horrible fabrication work and I then tried to keep the thing working.
Education:
2001-2009: 1967 ford Anglia, big restoration between 2004 and 2009. Still on the road, see above
1997-2001: 1961 Ford Prefect 107E
Relevant skills:
Can weld and have previous workshop experience. Usual workshop stuff on top of that, like can make a cracking cup of tea, can cut springs etc
Other interests:
These days, mostly old bikes; but I have had previous interests in home-made pulsejets and other silly things that usually get me in trouble at the campsite at events
Full UK driver's toolkit held
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Last Edit: Aug 27, 2021 17:56:34 GMT by Jonny69
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Aug 27, 2021 11:49:46 GMT
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i started in 88 buying my first beetle a 1302s it was a learning curve i soon realised that the 02 03 was the worst to learn on and price of parts compaired to ordinary beetles where scarey , 2 years ago i wnet back to college aged 50 and done level 2 tig last year level 2 mig and today ive signed up for level 3 mig , as i have went through life with no exams even thou i could restore a car lol
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