Turbo Experts The inside track on all things car

My Top 3 Modified Cars – UK 'Wildest Ride' Competition for Chop Shop

I have chosen my Top 3 modified cars on the Chop Shop website.

If you’re ever thinking about modifying a car, then make sure you have plenty of money because once you change one thing… you have to change everything. It’s a never-ending list, whether you're buying a used car or you've already got one in the garage (ask Lee, he'll tell you!).

Insurance Write-Offs

This blog is going back to my previous blog about Category C & D insurance Write-Offs. When a car is written off by an insurance company, it goes on something called the V-Car register, which stands for Vehicle Condition Alert Register. The insurance companies then put it in a category of A, B, C or D.

Kitting out the Garage for Car Restoration

I am kitting out my garage now as the compressor’s had it and the 19 year old, two poster ramp has also had it...

I’m going back to Blackhawk, the company who gave us a measuring system on Chop Shop so that I could do the Johnny Vegas car. I’ve been told that they can do me a really good deal which is good because I’ve been looking at buying some salvage work for myself. This may be a good chance to make another programme…

A Unique Conversion - an RS Turbo Mini

I’m thinking of building a small car with a big engine and I’m trying to think of something that hasn’t been done before. Mini V8s have been done many times, along with Smart Cars with motorbike engines. But one thing I haven’t seen is a Geewiz with a huge engine yet. Mind you, if I was to put a V8 in one, I bet there'd be a few complaints from people: this is meant to be a ‘green car’, after all, I suppose!

Chop Shop Work Returns to My Garage!

I have started work on the Johnny Vegas Volcano car! There were a few things left on the car that we didn’t get to finish off before Chop Shop ended. Therefore, I am now doing all the bits that need doing, in my garage.

There is an oil leak, a broken drive shaft and I may have to cut and higher the wheel arches. The suspension is so hard that I can’t give the car more bounce unless I lower it and then raise the arches. This will give the car more give.

My New Garage

The new garage has brought in a lot of work. I have all my own customers and so does my partner Imy, but I also have the experience of people walking in off the streets at least once or twice a week asking me: “Are you that bloke off Chop Shop?”. This is good as they have seen what I can do and gives my business a good name!

The business was slow to begin with due to moving in and getting ourselves sorted. Now, after being on location for one week, we are being pushed to our limits due to us being booked up for two weeks with work.

Garage Expenses

In this blog, I thought I would ask people to notice the expenses that go into repairs and work on cars in a garage and where their money is going. You have to remember that firstly, we’ve got rent, wages, bills, parts and materials to pay for.

The expense of tools is also an issue. I have been buying tools for about 16 years so I now have a collection of about £20,000 worth of tools. A lot of jobs you can’t do unless you have the specific tool needed.

For example, let’s take a repair job such as a wing and a door. After you have paid for paint, parts and materials, the labour money that we earn is not a lot. For example, for a £300 job, we may only earn around £80 from it.

Buying Used Cars to Sell

As well as working in the garage, I have been buying and selling cars. At the moment we have about 6 cars, and they all need work doing on them.

One of the cars we had was a BMW 318, an M3 look-a-like, which was in a right state when we bought it! By the time we had finished with it, it was a really nice car, ready to re-sell.

As we do MOTs, paintwork and panel-work etc., it makes it easier to complete a job and less costly on us. Also, a lot of my pals are car dealers which makes it easier to find deals on buying cheap cars to modify.

My Workshop - And Getting The Jonny Vegas Chop Shop Classic Back!

At last, I'm up and running: I’ve found a workshop! It’s only a 4-5 car 'shop but that will be fine for now as I have the work available!

Its come at a great time as I’ve got my partner doing the service and mechanical work while I’ve got the repair and customising work. And the first job? The legendary Chop Shop Jonny Vegas car, which has been given to me to repair as it has a snapped drive shaft and a few other bits that he wants doing.

Previous Modification Projects - Lamborghini Kits!

Some of the most interesting projects that I used to do, and that I would love to get into again, were really wild Lamborghini kit cars.

These are really special car mods. I used to build the chassis frames and bodies for a company. I would love to get into this again but it comes down to the same old: having the money, to make money.