Cabrio servicing and maintenance

[dougohere]

Hello,
As the owner of a recently acquired cabrio and as a new member living near Bath, I on the lookout for a garage or skilled mechanic to service my cabrio - I would like to do the work myself, but I am too busy looking after my 90 year old parents. If someone could also recommend a company in the South West for repairs to soft tops I would be most grateful.
Thank you to all the members who have so willingly offered tips and advice.

By the way, does anyone know details of the next monthly meet for the South West? I could not find any details on the forum.

Best Regards,
Doug

[chris_cussen]

Re: Cabrio servicing and maintenance

Hi Doug,
SOme distance away from you, but local to me are http://www.pipertrimmers.co.uk/
They made a new hood from a Spartan Treka for me and also repaired the stitching on a seat in a Focus ST170. Not cheap but good work.
Don't know of any garages in the Bath area I would recommend.
This http://www.marlinownersclub.com/foru...p?118-SW-Meets will show and SW meets
Chris

[greyV8pete]

Re: Cabrio servicing and maintenance

Hello,

........By the way, does anyone know details of the next monthly meet for the South West? I could not find any details on the forum.....

Best Regards,
Doug

Been recovering from a operation for the last few months but hope to be back in the Marlin soon. Will try to get a meet together for next month. Peter.

[jhaines]

Re: Cabrio servicing and maintenance

Hello Doug,
can’t help with garages but I have a Hunter in Frome and I know of a Roadster here as well.

[jon_cox]

Re: Cabrio servicing and maintenance

Hi Doug
I have a Roadster which I have owned on and off for 30 years. I live just outside Bath and know a few of the local garages around Saltford / Keynsham way. I do all my own work pretty much so do not have any actual experience of their quality but if I can help, or you want a chat then let me know.
Jon

[928cdu]

Re: Cabrio servicing and maintenance

Hello,
As the owner of a recently acquired cabrio and as a new member living near Bath, I on the lookout for a garage or skilled mechanic to service my cabrio - I would like to do the work myself, but I am too busy looking after my 90 year old parents. If someone could also recommend a company in the South West for repairs to soft tops I would be most grateful.
Thank you to all the members who have so willingly offered tips and advice.

By the way, does anyone know details of the next monthly meet for the South West? I could not find any details on the forum.

Best Regards,
Doug

Another one further away from you, can recommend "Tina's trims" very reasonable prices, based in Dudley, but she will post. See the thread for examples of her work & contact details ..

She rebuilt my rigid sidescreens & fixed my soft-top (new window & stitching) .

http://www.marlinownersclub.com/foru...highlight=tina

[kahawi]

Re: Cabrio servicing and maintenance

Doug,

Had you considered Marlin Sportscars? They’re just outside Crediton in Devon and did a superb job of setting up our Hunter’s front-end and it was good to think they’ve given it the manufacturers once-over.

Our car has been serviced there nearly all its life (by previous owner) and I’m sure Terry Matthews could advise on preferred car trimming companies etc.

A quick ‘Google Mapping’ puts them only a couple of hours away from you. When we visited, there were several Marlins awaiting work and according to Russell (over on FaceBook), they are regularly servicing customer Marlins.

Marlin:- 0 1363 773772
Holmfield House
Crediton,
Devon EX17 3QA

Cheers,
Colin B

[dougohere]

Re: Cabrio servicing and maintenance

Hi Doug
I have a Roadster which I have owned on and off for 30 years. I live just outside Bath and know a few of the local garages around Saltford / Keynsham way. I do all my own work pretty much so do not have any actual experience of their quality but if I can help, or you want a chat then let me know.
Jon

Hello Jon,
Many thanks for the your information - and it was interesting to see that you have owned the same roadster on and off for 30 years. It looks like you can't bear to part with it!.
I actually live in Bitton which is only about 2 miles away from Keynsham and Saltford. I often meet up with a friend for lunch at the Bird in Hand at Saltford on a Friday, so maybe you would be interested in joining us for lunch this Friday or some other Friday. If not it would also be good to hear from you - my mobile number is 07882 425746 and the best time to call is late afternoon.
Best Regards,
Doug

[dougohere]

Re: Cabrio servicing and maintenance

Been recovering from a operation for the last few months but hope to be back in the Marlin soon. Will try to get a meet together for next month. Peter.

Hello Peter,
Many thanks for the update and I look forward to getting details of the SW meeting. Best of luck with the recovery.
Doug

[dougohere]

Re: Cabrio servicing and maintenance

Hi Doug,
SOme distance away from you, but local to me are http://www.pipertrimmers.co.uk/
They made a new hood from a Spartan Treka for me and also repaired the stitching on a seat in a Focus ST170. Not cheap but good work.
Don't know of any garages in the Bath area I would recommend.
This http://www.marlinownersclub.com/foru...p?118-SW-Meets will show and SW meets
Chris

Many thanks for the tip and SW info Chris

[dougohere]

Re: Cabrio servicing and maintenance

Another one further away from you, can recommend "Tina's trims" very reasonable prices, based in Dudley, but she will post. See the thread for examples of her work & contact details ..

She rebuilt my rigid sidescreens & fixed my soft-top (new window & stitching) .

http://www.marlinownersclub.com/foru...highlight=tina

Many thanks!

[dougohere]

Re: Cabrio servicing and maintenance

Doug,

Had you considered Marlin Sportscars? They’re just outside Crediton in Devon and did a superb job of setting up our Hunter’s front-end and it was good to think they’ve given it the manufacturers once-over.

Our car has been serviced there nearly all its life (by previous owner) and I’m sure Terry Matthews could advise on preferred car trimming companies etc.

A quick ‘Google Mapping’ puts them only a couple of hours away from you. When we visited, there were several Marlins awaiting work and according to Russell (over on FaceBook), they are regularly servicing customer Marlins.

Marlin:- 0 1363 773772
Holmfield House
Crediton,
Devon EX17 3QA

Cheers,
Colin B

Hello Colin,
Thanks for the suggestion - at least I would know that Marlin would do a good job for me if all else fails. Plus the trip down would be fun!
Doug

[jon_cox]

Re: Cabrio servicing and maintenance

Hello Jon,
Many thanks for the your information - and it was interesting to see that you have owned the same roadster on and off for 30 years. It looks like you can't bear to part with it!.
I actually live in Bitton which is only about 2 miles away from Keynsham and Saltford. I often meet up with a friend for lunch at the Bird in Hand at Saltford on a Friday, so maybe you would be interested in joining us for lunch this Friday or some other Friday. If not it would also be good to hear from you - my mobile number is 07882 425746 and the best time to call is late afternoon.
Best Regards,
Doug

Hi Doug,
I live in Saltford so I frequent the Bird in Hand quite often. In fact my son works there on a Sunday in the kitchen. Unfortunately I am still of working age (48) so do not have the luxury of Friday lunchtimes down the pub....... one day!
Next time you are down there take a quick detour to the Crown garage on the main road. Have a chat about them servicing your car. They are familiar with classics and kits. They currently have a rather nice Cobra for sale. They have/had some affiliation with a classic car workshop that is/was in Marksbury behind the Co-op petrol station. There is a great MOT station behind the Waitrose in keynsham called Keynsham Service Centre (really understands kits and classics) and also a few units down there is a classic car garage that also specialises in American cars. The guy there is great and has built a few kits himself. Had a Countach rep for a while.
Really worthwhile joining the Bristol Kit Car Club and also the Kitnet club which is run by a Bristol chap called Collin. Loads of different cars and like minded people with regular runs out to local places and evening meet ups in local pubs with a wealth of local knowledge.
One of their regular haunts is the White Harte pub in Warmley.
As for trimmer to mend your roof then I would first try the famous Morris Minor place in Brislington, Charles Wares. There is/was a well respected guy working there that will tackle any car / job. Alternatively try Krych trimming. I think he is Kingswood but not too sure. Krych is well recommended by pretty much all the local car clubs, new and old. If you fancy a trip out then there is South west trimmers in Calne. They get good reviews.
I will keep your number on file if I ever get a chance to meet up. Might be able to make it to Shepton Mallet and thinking of going to the Autumn classic at Castle Combe.

Cheers for now.
Jon.