Motorheads Performance
I've always thought that many people have a big misunderstanding on why many of us get into the classic car line of work. While some may be motivated purely by ego, others by money, yet others have a far less sinister reason. They simply love the work, the people, and the "business".
You know what I'm talking about. There are a lot of shop owners and workers who want to be the next Boyd Coddington or Chip Foose. Some get into it simply to make a million dollars doing work they like, not necessarily thinking about the long hours, hard work, and frustration it can bring. And let's face it, shops have gotten a bad rap over decades because of people like this. Often these stereotypes portray rough, selfish, greedy men who just want to rip people off.
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| Guy Algar Motorheads Performance ASE Certified |
Luckily, not all classic car shop owners are among this crowd. We meet people all the time who genuinely love what they do and get enjoyment and fulfillment out of helping others achieve their life-long dream of owning a classic car, muscle car or vintage truck. Unfortunately, many get burned out or get tired of getting burned. When you're enthusiastic about what you do, it's nice to work with people who are as equally excited.
Yes, the road may be long and hard, but every now and then, you get a dose of "good" that makes every single thing you do feel worthwhile. Every effort to save someone a few dollars, give the job a little something extra, or go out of your way to make sure that the job is done right is important. It's nice when the hard work is appreciated because it helps keep our enthusiasm alive and working in overdrive!
What prompted me to think about this today was an on-line review written today from a very unexpected source. Earlier this summer, Guy Algar and I were working in our shop when we received a call from a driver on his cell phone who explained that while on a long road trip, their family vehicle was broken down on Rte 80 in Leesville, and could we help. Guy jumped into his truck, drove down to their location and brought them back. After determining what was wrong, I hopped into my car to drive the 25 minute drive to Gonzales to pick up the parts while Guy took out the broken part and prepped for the replacement. After making the necessary repairs and advising the family what would be needed in the future, we got them back on their long road trip. It felt great to be able to help, and we enjoyed the visit with the family, hoping they'd make the rest of their trip without incident.
Thankful Travelers:
This past summer (2012) my family and I were traveling when my 2003 Suburban broke down in no where Texas (Leesville-a sweet, quiet community). We used our phone to look up a mechanic. We were surprised to find out there was one just a few miles from us down a country road called Motorheads. Guy came to our rescue! He got us back to his place, diagnosed the problems and helped us get a part from a local (15-20 miles away) parts store. As we talked to him, he was so enthusiastic about his love of old cars, his horses, and his dogs. He made us feel like old friends. When it was time for us to get back on the road, he wouldn't let us pay him for his trouble. He did all that just because he wanted to help us, stranded travelers. We are forever thankful! The Smith Family
Guy and I are grateful to all of our customers, no matter how small or large the job is. We are enthusiastic about the work we do because we love the work and the people we meet and make friends with. And it's nice when you make someone's life a bit more enjoyable.
The Smith family was such a nice "bump in the road" from our perspective. While we don't typically work on anything newer than a 1979 vehicle, they were in a bad spot. They desperately needed an immediate fix, we had the knowledge and ability, and we were happy to help get them back on the road. We could only wish the same if we were caught up in a bad situation. Guy and I thank them for the nice words. We, too, feel we met old friends that day.People considering a classic car repair shop should look at the type of business they want to deal with, the relation they want with it, and the people who will be working hard to produce the car of their dreams for them. It's important to select a shop that has a good fit. Selecting someone with similar values and goals as yours is apt to make the best working relation, and produce the best outcomes for you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.
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