Self Service Garage (BBC Archive video).

[Chief]

This popped up on the BBC site, thought it was interesting since I knew the USA had rentable garage work areas, but I never knew the UK had anything similar:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/self-serv ... ge/zrx2kmn

[ManyMinors]

I'm not sure whether there are any now. I do know somebody who looked into buying a garage business and renting it out, fully equipped, by the hour. He found 2 main potential problems. One was arranging suitable insurance. The other was that if somebody's repairs "overan" in terms of time - which as we all know can easily happen on old cars - The next booking cannot begin HIS work and the whole thing collapses.....

[geoberni]

Love the comment from Mr White Coat, 'I see you've got the right clothes on', Jacket & Tie, with no overalls.....

I joined the RAF mid 70s and right through until the 90s every place I served at had a 'Motor Club', organised by volunteers using a surplus building on base, of an appropriate type, where facilities were available and more specialist equipment could be hired from the 'Club Tool Store'.
After the 90s, I never lived local enough to my place of work to use such facilities, and I doubt there are any now as there's so few uniformed personnel on any remaining station, due to contractorisatation of different roles.

[moggiethouable]

Thanks for that, most enjoyable, it did lead me down some very entertaining worm holes

[myoldjalopy]

Wow! He drove over the pit a bit fast! Could easily have gone wrong

[rocco]

I've used a couple of the Hobbywerkstatten around Munich but the two nearest to me have now closed. Last time I went was last year to change gearbox and diff. oil on an old BMW E46. For €10-an-hour it's well worth it to get a car up in the air to work on and if you need a hand, the chap running the place would usually be willing. And if you forgot any tools, you pay €1 to borrow it.

[olonas]

I must remember to wear my best suit, shirt, tie and shoes next time I crawl under the car to complete an engine oil change.
Thanks for posting a bit of nostalgia.

[geoberni]

I just did a quick web search for 'Car Hobby Workshop' and apparently they're widely available on USAF bases in the UK and elsewhere.
Not surprising I suppose, they do generally have a very good welfare support infrastructure for their personnel.....
https://www.100fss.com/auto-hobby-complex


I also found this USA forum discussion from 2006, which just about sums up why they don't exist outside the military environment:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/thr ... shop.4950/

[Mick Lynch]

Places as described exist both on military bases and civilian. I used the hoist to replace my transmission cooler lines at CFB Halifax Auto Club in 2014 for my trucks inspection. You got to know where they are though as they rarely advertise!

https://www.u-wrench.ca/

Exception to the rule

[rocco]

I just did a quick web search for 'Car Hobby Workshop' and apparently they're widely available on USAF bases in the UK and elsewhere.
Not surprising I suppose, they do generally have a very good welfare support infrastructure for their personnel.....
https://www.100fss.com/auto-hobby-complex


I also found this USA forum discussion from 2006, which just about sums up why they don't exist outside the military environment:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/thr ... shop.4950/

The liability issue reminds me of the time I used a hobby garage that had 4 lifts. One of the lifts had an air conditioning unit above it meaning that if you weren't careful and just raised your car up, it would hit it. I was finishing off a job on my car and heard a bang - yes, the guy next to me had stuck the roof of his sooped-up 3-series in to the aircon. A heated discussion between the car owner and the garage owned followed which was basically "I'm going to sue you" met with "you're a idiot for not being careful".

Talking to classic car owners at small local events around here I was offered the use of a garage and tools if I joined up. My first "stammtisch" is tomorrow so I'll go along and see what else I can find out.

[Edward1949]

Thanks for this interesting post