News A new "Hobby Business Venture" for me

Birchall

Dick Chown Award 2016
Hi,

As many of you know I am a huge fan of A2s and have owned them since 2001, in that time I have found the A2OC forum to be amazingly helpful and friendly.

I have restored many A2s and saved them from the scrapyard and I always get pleasure from bringing them back to life!

I also have spent a lot of time and money on my (now sold) project.

Cars are "in my blood" and I have been working on them (and often modifying them) for 47 years.
I have had a unique car sales business in the past, specialising in modified and unusual autos of all shapes and sizes, but then I started a career in IT and cars became a very active sideline.

It is a compliment to the A2 that after such a long and deep obsession with cars I have come to think of the A2 as being the best car I have had the pleasure to own. Yes, I have had Bentleys, drag race cars, classic cars etc. etc. but you can't beat the A2 a a complete all-round amazing car.
It should be a boring car to drive and own, and that was exactly my thoughts in 2001 when I bought one for my wife, but boy was I wrong. So I am well and truly hooked.

To appease my addition I want to be spending my spare time involved in A2s.

To me the best way for me to do this is to buy and sell A2s, but those that know me will realise that my approach to A2s means that there will be no huge profits. I like to get them as perfect as is sensible and then sell them for less than market value (check out the parts I have sold on here over the years and you will see that I do sell for low prices.

So I am about to launch this "Hobby Business" and to make it clear, this is a totally legitimate and fully registered operation, motor trade insurance (including demo cover), trade plates, limited company, accountant, etc. etc. But as I say, it will be run from "home" and part time, with my son in law helping me.

At the moment I only have space for two or three cars at a time, but that is plenty for now.

Something else I need to make clear, I will in no way be profiting from A2OC, if I were to buy a car to rescue via this forum once it is ready for sale it will be offered on here at cost price first.

I have always believed that this forum should stay free of adverts and so I will fully support and follow those rules.

This is just a general message to let people know of my plans. I have already contacted the main team on here to check that this is ok and I have confirmed to them that I will merely have a brief explanation of what I do on my signature with a link to my website etc.

However, since the prices on my website will be higher than I will offer the cars for on here I will place a "for sale" advert for each with the member's price on.

I will be on the lookout for A2s for sale that would benefit from a bit of care and attention, but I repeat, cars bought from members will not be sold on here for any profit (I will just cover my costs and time).

So I welcome any comments, positive OR negative. The last thing I want to do is to upset or annoy anyone.

Thanks
Steve B
 
Sounds great Steve. Just watch for people using you as a restoration team (which may be another avenue for those with less time/inclination) drop off A2 and get it back once jobs are done. More power to you. Great opportunity for all.
 
I think its a great thing that you are rescuing A2,s Steve...well done ! :) Too many are being scrapped at the moment and if we can save the odd one or two then this has to be a good thing.

What does concern me ever so slightly is the use of your signature to advertise or provide a link to your business. The issue will no doubt be discussed by the team but in the mean time I wish you all the very best !.

Cheers
Dave.
 
I think its a great thing that you are rescuing A2,s Steve...well done ! :) Too many are being scrapped at the moment and if we can save the odd one or two then this has to be a good thing.

What does concern me ever so slightly is the use of your signature to advertise or provide a link to your business. The issue will no doubt be discussed by the team but in the mean time I wish you all the very best !.

Cheers
Dave.

Hi Dave I have been advised by the team that if I follow the guidelines as used by A2Steve, Timmus and Sarge (all very fine members) in their signatures, it should be ok.

But any hint that I am overstepping the mark in any way and I will correct that.

To me, letting people know that you have an A2 related service has never been a problem, blatant advertising would ruin this great site and I for one will not do that.

Steve B
 
Hi Steve,

Good on you. Let me know if I can offer any advice or assurance in any way.

Cheers
Rob


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Hi Rob,

Thank you for that I really appreciate it. If there is anything I can do for you then just ask (i.e. if there is a local car you are interested in or something like that).

The country / market is big and varied enough for us all to pull together, the same offer applies to others such as A2Steve, Sarge, Tom, etc. if we can help each other everyone wins, especially the members.

Steve B
 
Good for you Steve! You were the first person to welcome me to the site when I started (can't believe that was only about 3 weeks ago now :eek: ), and your advise has been invaluable to me so far.

I hope things go well for you.
 
Personally I think this is very positive.

I'm waiting for the finances to clear up and better weather before I start seriously looking for an A2. Some of them are creeping up to 20 years old.

This helps me as it makes sense to buy from someone experienced and better from a fellow member who has maintained and sorted a car than taking a pot-luck approach on eBay or Gumtree.

Good luck with it.
 
Hello Steve,

I've made it quite clear personally to you that I think you're a very fine gentleman.

This next chapter of your journey is likely to benefit the new and future owners of a car we all seem to be so fond of, as your open and honest nature will surely culminate in great value for money, a decent and honest car going to market, and new-user advice that is based on real-world experience of the A2.
And more than that, you'll play a part in saving these fun little cars for others to enjoy.

The same as everyone else I'm sure, I wish you the very best of luck in this venture. - Good on you Steve.

Cheers
Jeff
 
I KNEW I was going to have this problem!!!!

The first car I got hold of was a high mileage TDI but with lots of extras, BOSE, OSS (working) 4 electric windows, double DIN.

Before I could do anything much to it my Son says, "Hi Dad, do you know where I can get a cheap A2 as a runaround?"

He can turn a spanner and so he has taken the TDI (at cost price) and he popped it over for its MOT and it only failed on the drop links basically!!!

So he is very happy.

Then I managed to get a nice Dolphin grey TDI from Nathan (a member on here) also with some nice extras, Rear ARB, Red Leather, refurbed S3 wheels (they always look great on an A2, especially a darkish one.) OSS (BrokenSky) but I have a replacement lined up.
Needs the brakes sorting out, lost the servo assistance. Just needs a few small parts to make it spot one. But Our Daughter with a nice blue tdi SE wants this, so we are swapping and that means that her nice tdi SE will be sorted and up for sale at around £2,000 depending on what issues we find when sorting it.

Kids eh?

This is just a couple of shots of the "soon to be" Daughters tdi, I love Dolphin grey, not sure about the red/maroon features (there is even a red/maroon rear number plate panel in the car, not yet fitted) but our Daughter likes it.

As I say I do think the S3 wheels set off a nice darkish A2. (silver A2s as well of course!!!)

IMG_1084 (002).JPG

Just one through the window, of the interior
IMG_1085 (002).JPG




One car that is being made ready for sale (I will not know the price until the car is finished and advertising a car without a price is (quite rightly) against the rules. So this is definitely NOT for sale (yet) and no deals will be struck or offers taken until the final price is calculated and the asking price fixed.

It is a lowish mileage (89K) FSI in Crystal blue. It is a Sport but it has now been fitted with blue leather heated SE seats. Great body / paint, refurbed (professionally) sport wheels and lots of other things to be done.

fsi 1.jpg

New discs / pads all-round.
FSI wheel.jpg

Steve B
 
Last edited:
I Latest update.

The blue FSI is waiting for the wiring loom to be fitted for the heated seats, I have managed to get hold of a good climate control panel with the heated seat switches and changed any worn buttons for unmarked ones, the car then goes into the garage to have a thorough check over (including a full cambelt replacement) and prep for sale (including MOT).

The Dolphin grey tdi is in the garage being brought up to top standard, including the replacement (working) OSS, plus a whole host of parts to bring it back to a great condition. Cam belt and waterpump / pulleys etc. to be on the safe side.

We have another rescue car on the way, this is an unusual one, it is a nice tdi with some extras (DIS, BOSE) but with "starship" miles on the clock.
Until it has been fully checked out I will not know the selling price, but as with the others, this will be cost price to members.
Pictures soon.

To comply with the rules, no bids, offers etc. will be taken on any of the above until I have a set selling price for any of the cars. That rule is a good one and saves a lot of disagreements etc.



Steve B
 
Last edited:
Steve,
What constitutes 'star ship' miles
I'm hoping you are not going to knock me of the top of the leader board, currently at 283,400 miles
 
Steve,
What constitutes 'star ship' miles
I'm hoping you are not going to knock me of the top of the leader board, currently at 283,400 miles

Not quite, but close.

It has 281,000 and I am hoping that someone will buy it and you and the new owner can see who can hit 300,000 first!!!

Steve B
 
Not quite, but close.

It has 281,000 and I am hoping that someone will buy it and you and the new owner can see who can hit 300,000 first!!!

Steve B

Oowe that is close I had better get motoring


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Oowe that is close I had better get motoring


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Yes,

I collect it on Sunday and it is then going up on the jack, engine running 4000 RPM in 5th gear to get ahead of you!!!!! ;):D

So you better go visit some distant relatives!!!


Steve B
 
Yes,

I collect it on Sunday and it is then going up on the jack, engine running 4000 RPM in 5th gear to get ahead of you!!!!! ;):D

So you better go visit some distant relatives!!!


Steve B

hmmmmmm - Steve......I'm not sure you've really got the hang of "clocking" cars :p
 
Back
Top