Keep the legends running
Recommissioning, tuning, system overhauls, and pre-event mechanical checks.
Collector cars sit, and sitting breaks things. Owners need a specialist who knows the quirks of a specific marque and era — the right carb jets, the correct-spec parts, the ignition setup nobody under fifty remembers. Sell that specialism, not general repair.
Gigs to offer
What sells in mechanical
Recommissioning after storage
Fluids, brakes, fuel system, ignition — safely wake a car that's been parked for years.
Pre-event mechanical check
A go/no-go safety and reliability pass before a rally, tour, or track day.
Carburetor rebuild & tune
Rebuild, jet, and synchronize to period-correct spec.
Brake system overhaul
Master cylinder, wheel cylinders/calipers, lines, and bleed for a car meant to actually be driven.
Electrical diagnosis
Track down the gremlins in old wiring, charging, and ignition systems.
Pricing shape
How to price your work
Offer defined-scope jobs at fixed prices, and a labor rate for diagnosis. Note that parts are quoted separately once sourced.
Standard
$150–$400
Turnaround: 1–2 days
- Service & safety inspection
- Fluids and filters
- Findings report
- Labor for a single defined job
Enhanced
$500–$1,500
Turnaround: 3–7 days
- Single-system overhaul (brakes, fuel, ignition)
- Correct-spec parts sourcing
- Bench testing
- Road-test validation
Concours
Quoted
Turnaround: Project
- Full recommissioning
- Multi-system sorting
- Dyno / tune
- Documented photo record
Add-ons that upsell
Your portfolio must show
- Before/after of rebuilt components
- Dyno sheets or tune data
- Tidy, correct engine bays and wiring
- Documentation of a full recommissioning
Ask every client for
- Year, make, model, and engine/spec
- Symptoms and when they occur
- Known service history and recent work
- Parts availability or originality requirements
- Deadline — especially for a specific event
Specialist tips that win repeat work
Mechanical FAQ
How do I quote when I can't see the car yet?
Sell defined-scope jobs (a brake overhaul, a carb rebuild) at fixed labor prices with parts quoted after sourcing, and charge diagnosis at your labor rate. Use your requirements list to get symptoms and history up front so surprises are rare.
Should I list general repair or a specialism?
A specialism, every time. 'Air-cooled Porsche ignition and carburetion' wins the right owners and higher rates; 'general auto repair' competes with every shop in town.
Ready to get booked as a mechanical specialist?
Set up your profile and your first gig — listing is free for founding providers.
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