You come for the cars and leave with new clients; why local car shows are a must for mechanics …
The smartest mechanics I know go to car shows. They’re enthusiasts, so of course it’s an enjoyable way to spend their Saturday or Sunday mornings.
But there’s more to it. Car shows are the biggest shop window a mechanic can have. Bring along your own well turned out car – modern or classic – put a few business cards on the windscreen and there’s perfect direct target-market advertising…. For free.
I’ll give you an example. The other weekend I popped along to a show local to me, organised by the Sunshine Coast’s Roadrunner Car Club. I’d hauled along my 25-year-old BMW E39 530i, best described as in ‘original’ condition.
Its red paintwork polished up surprisingly well on this hot spring day, but it was no match for most of the automotive eye candy on display.
Think Porsche 911 GT3 race car, an immaculate 23-window VW Kombi, 8.2-litre 1972 Cadillac Eldorado convertible land yacht and a sprinkling of hot rods.
Having a gander
While drooling over the varied mix of machinery, I spotted the mechanic I’ve used for years. My weakness for Euro cars – and his specialism in them – means he’s been my go-to for the mechanical stuff beyond my skillset. He was out with his kids, enjoying the event. Why? Because he’s a car guy. That’s why I use him, and recommend him to my friends who ask after a good local mechanic.
“I saw your BMW out the front,” he said, having his head turned – understandably – by this high point of executive sedan engineering and design. He asked after the big 5-Series’ health, then immediately recalled we’d discussed doing engine mounts a year ago after he’d freshened the gearbox.
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“Yep, gotta get that done,” I said, and in a heartbeat, out came his digital diary and he said he’s got space in a couple of weeks. Job locked in, we went for ice cream. He even paid. Call me a sucker for good customer care – and a Mr Whippy cone – but it’s little wonder this chap has a bulging job diary.
This same mechanic then spent the rest of the morning enjoying the cars and getting into conversations with owners. Many classic car custodians are able to do much of the mechanical work themselves, but there are always specialist jobs when they need to call in someone with that next level of skill.
Here’s part two of the story. I was lingering over a 1973 Chevy Corvette Stingray in gorgeous sunburst orange paint, and got talking to a fella also admiring it. We joked about how the harsh Queensland sun wasn’t going to help it long-term, and I mentioned the sun-faded red paint on my BMW.
Turns out this guy works at a paint correction specialist – local to me, but I’d never heard of them – and he talked me through possibilities and prices.
No hard sell, just a bloke who knew his stuff, and obviously a car guy as he was simply there to check out the show. I’ve no idea if I’ll use him in future, but now I’ve got his details he’s front of queue when I find some dollars to go ahead with a paint revival.
While we’re talking business, I noticed the show’s banner listing the car club’s sponsors. There were the usual big guns like Shannons and Rare Spares, but I noted the local Autobarn franchise was a sponsor, as was a local used car dealership.
A nearby motorcycle repair shop advertised, but no independent car mechanic did likewise. Lost opportunity, I thought, as you’ve got hundreds of locals coming through these gates. Finding a few hundred bucks to show support to a local car event – endearing you to the car owning community – can’t be a bad investment.
Points for style
There’s another reason mechanics should love car shows. Seeing enthusiastic kids and teenagers get a kick out of special vehicles builds enthusiasm for them to ultimately work in the industry.
And with a mechanic skills shortage in many parts of Australia, the more this next generation sees the trade as a viable career path the better. They just need reminding that not everyone can be a millionaire YouTube influencer.
At the show, many of the younger crowd were drawn to modern weapons like a modified Ford Mustang GT, Toyota GR Yaris and V10 Audi R8. But hearteningly, I heard a few ask their dads about the classics on show. “What’s one of those?” and “what engine’s in that?” being the usual, and who can blame them when peering into the engine bay of a 1970 Pontiac Le Mans Sport and being wowed by an unshrouded GM V8?
When the earth-rumbling sound of a 427 Cobra Le Mans engine fired, I spotted one kid jump like he’d been electrocuted. Then an almighty grin covered his face, and he clearly mouthed ‘wow’ as his voice was drowned out by a heavy-drinking bent eight.
Make no mistake, that same kid is now far more likely to want to work on cars when he’s grown up. From a pure enthusiast’s perspective, car shows help remind why we all got into cars in the first place. And a show that welcomes allcomers typically brings an eclectic mix to cover practically every car kink of every attendee.
I’ll admit to having an unhealthy interest in 1950s sportscar racing, so I had to take a moment with a Porsche 550 roadster – you know, the James Dean one – dressed in racing livery and with vintage crash helmet on its impossibly low bucket seat.
Its owner got busy telling stories of taking this air-cooled replica to Italy and driving in the Mille Miglia revival, which feels about as far away as possible from today’s EVs silently sitting in traffic.
Treasure hunt
A pair of beach buggies – one a genuine Meyers Manx – reminded how incredibly fun (albeit not terribly safe) classic cars can be, while VW Kombis, an original 1975 two-door Range Rover and immaculate 1976 Peugeot 504 wagon with seven vinyl seats (remember how they burned?!) looked far more enjoyable family transport than today’s same-same SUVs.
Hot rods, Australian and American muscle, bobber motorcycles and even a replica of Fred Flintstone’s Cavemobile competed for attention, while the usual crowds gathered around their favourites, expressed opinions and told old stories. Proper car show stuff.
Then there’s always a bit of fun seeing who the judges pick as their show winner. For this event, a 1947 Ford Tudor took top honours, this classic two-door sedan looked impossibly production line-fresh despite its 75 years of life. A superb restoration.
Coming away from this type of show, I couldn’t help thinking, for a mechanic or workshop owner, it’s always a win-win. From a purely commercial perspective it’s a damn good way to score some more business if work is slow.
I know a few long retired car mechanics who pick up plenty of job offers at such shows to earn them a bit of pocket money. Let’s just say not all such earnings are known to the tax man, but there’s no harm in keeping the brain and hands sharp by dusting off the old tools every so often. Such work can be therapeutic, and beats daytime television hands down.
Showing out
Showing support to events and car clubs paints local workshops and mechanics in a positive light, and from the letters and emails I receive as a car journalist, there are an ever-increasing amount of car owners who are crying out to get the name of anyone local and trustworthy.
Do a good job and word-of-mouth recommendations will flow like premium 0W-20 engine oil.
Above all, we should all get to more car shows because most in this game simply love cars. If you’ve spent too long spinning off oil filters or have been bogged down in paperwork and invoicing, it’s funny how enjoying a few Euro classics and hotted up V8s can feel as restorative as a week lazing on a beach.