Malcolm + THe mechanicsA few summers ago, after quitting my job at a superyacht design company, I found a job flipping burgers in a local café … an obvious ‘career’ choice for a Vegetarian.
The café was a hub for the mechanics who worked at the garage next door. We fuelled their daily caffeine intake.
The garage specialised in high performance and classic cars and I was attracted to the vibrant colours and elegant designs. The general banter and comments from the ‘grease monkeys’ punctuated the air and I loved the vibe. Sketching my way around the motor bays was my way of engaging with the organised chaos.
Fiat 500
V&A Car Exhibition 2019.
Fiat 500 – The iconic Italian post-war car.
‘Oh that’s the D5 bumper, I’ve been looking for that!’
It so happened that Malcolm, my 70 something neighbour, was also an avid mechanic who had over the years amassed a back yard collection of cars, tractors and assorted farm machinery all in various stages of repair and restoration. (1960’s Citroen DS series being his speciality). He gave me a tour and I was captivated. I spent a month of Sundays exploring the sheds and capturing numerous perspectives on A3 paper. They turned out to be a useful aide memoire to Malcolm and the whereabouts of a lost pieces of vital equipment.
This body of work reflects my happy introduction to a world of garage mechanics, Car Meets and Malcolm. A community who enthusiastically shared their knowledge with me.
Made in England
Malcolm's seeminly chaotic workshop No 1. Everything has its place and he knows exactly where everything lives.
Malcolm Workshop
Malcolm's Workshop (not shed, as firmly corrected) where the mechanical magic happens. Very little room for movement.
Malcolm's shed 2 - This one was largest shed, filled with tractors and a combine harvester from the early 1900's
Triumph Herald - Drawn at the garage during my time working at the cafe.
Malcolm's Workshop - Where the mechanical magic happened. Filling cabinets filled, tins stacked, its a health and safety nightmare!
Morris Post Van - An old Morris Postvan being serviced. Once the drawing was finished he took me for a drive, no seatbelts or doors.
Malcolm's Shed 2 - This was the first shed I drew. The shed was so crammed full of stuff, it was a bit overwhelming to draw. Once finished, I showed Malcolm, who replied 'Oh that’s the D5 bumper, I’ve been looking for that!'
Russel's MGA drawn at a car meet. He was about to go off travelling around Europe in it.
Etype - Perched on a dusty ledge in one of the garages, above the car lift, the owner's E type.
Series III Landrover
