Under the Bonnet
Confessions of a 1970s and '80s Car Mechanic
Published on 24. May 2021
160 pages
978-0-7509-9769-0 (ISBN)
Description
These days, a nice original Vauxhall Viva costs an arm and a leg, but back in the 1970s, GBP100 bought you a 'good little runner', with the rust, bald tyres and dodgy MOT thrown in for free. All you needed was someone who knew how to fix it when it broke down!
Brian Cunningham is that someone - or, at least, he used to be. Under the Bonnet is the totally true* story of being a car mechanic in the old days, when fixing a car was one thing, but keeping it fixed was something else entirely. These are the tales of a bygone age, full of secret scams, chaotic characters and cars almost bursting with personality.
* some tales may be taller than others
Brian Cunningham is that someone - or, at least, he used to be. Under the Bonnet is the totally true* story of being a car mechanic in the old days, when fixing a car was one thing, but keeping it fixed was something else entirely. These are the tales of a bygone age, full of secret scams, chaotic characters and cars almost bursting with personality.
* some tales may be taller than others
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Stroud
United Kingdom
Illustrations
18 Illustrations, black and white
File size
6,85 MB
ISBN-13
978-0-7509-9769-0 (9780750997690)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
05/2021
The History Press Ltd
€16.50
Shipment within 10-15 days
Person
BRIAN CUNNINGHAM worked as a car mechanic until his thirties, then continued a career in the car industry, in training, management and sales distribution. Since retirement he has worked in finance and retail, and spends his free time with his 5 grandchildren, as well as writing, fishing and playing chess. He previously wrote Under the Bonnet for The History Press. He lives in Norwich.
Content
- Intro
- Title
- Copyright
- Contents
- Introduction
- 1 Rodent on the Premises
- 2 Burnt-out Clutch
- 3 The Car Dealership
- 4 Shooting Argies
- 5 The Man from Audi
- 6 Bad Mechanic
- 7 New Bodyshell
- 8 Suck Squeeze Bang Blow
- 9 Wheel Swap
- 10 Hello John, Got a New Motor?
- 11 The Differential
- 12 Ice Blocks
- 13 The STP Sticker
- 14 The Beast
- 15 The S-Plate Special
- 16 A Proper Apprenticeship
- 17 Slant Four
- 18 Shop Steward
- 19 Warranty Assessor
- 20 A Lick and a Promise
- 21 Now for Something Completely Different
- Picture Section
