12 replies to this topic

[denno]

Went to book my tubby in for a service couple of days ago but unfortunately Topgear Automotive is closing in a couple of weeks. I know quite a few on here used Topgear so will be a shame to lose a reputable guy as they are few and far between without having to travel.

[Ormes]

Indeed!  Guess he's retiring... can't remember the guys name... shame... used him a few times when I lived in Wolvehampton.

[Ian59]

Indeed!  Guess he's retiring... can't remember the guys name... shame... used him a few times when I lived in Wolvehampton.

Spoke with Martin at length last week when booking the vx in. He's not retiring, the business is costing him money, so he is closing down and keeping his options open. as a mechanic, he may be going mobile, or you go to him. He is also looking (and is in discussion with the gaffer) at working at the garage next door (2/3 days a week) on specialist vehicles. So (hopefully), our vx needs and requirements will still be looked after. I'll speak to him again on the 15th July when my vx is being serviced and try to get more info and let you know...

Edited by Ian59, 08 July 2019 - 09:38 AM.

[siztenboots]

He did my clutch , many years back , at the time he gave the best quote for the work by a long way and very helpful when I got the wrong flywheel.

[vocky]

I cannot figure out whether vx220 owners are doing any work themselves these days or that the cars just don't need anything doing because nobody is using them

 

Either way it's sad that they are being forced to shut up shop.

[Tommo]

I cannot figure out whether vx220 owners are doing any work themselves these days or that the cars just don't need anything doing because nobody is using them

 

Either way it's sad that they are being forced to shut up shop.

 

 

if mine is anything to go by - the latter!

[Ian59]

I cannot figure out whether vx220 owners are doing any work themselves these days or that the cars just don't need anything doing because nobody is using them

 

Either way it's sad that they are being forced to shut up shop.

I agree. Martin not only specialises in the Vx200 , but TVR, Lotus and MG vehicles as well...If he goes mobile or rents/uses space in the workshop next door to his soon to be ex-unit, I shall still use him. There is no one else in the Telford area.. 

[jonnyboy]

It's a dying hobby. You'll continue to see the demise of these small indies as no sportscars sell in the volumes TVR and Lotus did in their day. There's nothing thats come through to replace them. We were fortunate in our area that we didn't really have much competition when we did the servicing and certainly never struggled for work but I can imagine in certain areas of the country that people will struggle if they dont diversify.

[Nev]

I cannot figure out whether vx220 owners are doing any work themselves these days or that the cars just don't need anything doing because nobody is using them

 

Either way it's sad that they are being forced to shut up shop.

 

At a guess, I suspect there's probably only about 100 or 200 being regularly used (i.e. every week).

Edited by Nev, 09 July 2019 - 11:26 AM.

[vocky]

I can't remember the last time I spotted a vx220 being driven on the road

[Tinowyn33]

Mine still gets daily use, and the ever growing list of things that need fixing now it's hit 100k miles is just a tad daunting. Thankfully Guglielmi is just down the road and more than happy to take my money!

 

[Ian59]

I can't remember the last time I spotted a vx220 being driven on the road

Believe it or not, I saw a black one being driven on the A442 out of Telford towards Sutton Maddock a couple of weeks ago. A strange sight as I've never seen one in the Telford area in my 7 years of owning one...

[rabbidog]

There used to he a guy with an NA who commuted daily to work, close to where i live that i used to see regularly.

Sadly that has now been written off following a collision with a lorry.

Other than that one, i can count on one hand how many i have seen in north kent in the last 5 years.

Edited by rabbidog, 10 July 2019 - 07:01 PM.