Mechanics

Mechanics

In the old days "auto technicians" were called mechanics.The shops were filthy, they wore overalls and spit a lot. They inspired confidence and you just knew they could fix your car just by listening to it.

When I was a financially challenged single Mom driving beat-up cars I would take my car into Bernie the old crotchety mechanic. I would say "Bernie, I only have $23.42 until payday, fix the most important items first" I think he felt sorry for me because after awhile he would return the car and allow me to pay him the full balance on payday.

To play on his sympathy I would bring sweet little Heather with me and coach her to say things like "Mommy, do we have to go without supper again to pay the car repair bill. I'm hungry!! ?" ha ha ha

Home Repair

One of my favorite cars was a 1967 lime green VW bug. It had seen better days but was affordable and cute! Besides the mechanical issues there were holes in the floor. Heather thought it was cool to see the street when she was strapped in the back seat. My Mom said "Vicki Lou honey, don't your feet get wet from all the splashing?" I decided to take matters into my own hands. I found some old cookie sheets in a dumpster (kidding, I never resorted to dumpster diving) and tried to pound them into the floor.

Oops, the gas line broke in my VW and that repair was way too expensive. Somewhere in Albert Lea you can probably still see a rotting lime green VW hidden beneath a grove of trees.

No women allowed

You never saw a woman working on a car. You still don't see women working on cars. There are strong, capable women in other careers, why not a garage?

At least women would hear the noises in your vehicle and not charge you hundred of dollars then say "noise not heard" What? the female service clerk heard the noise when I drove the car in the shop. Did my husband hear the noise? no. Sweetly he said "honey, if you hear a noise and want to take the car in get it checked out, that's fine"

THERE WAS A NOISE!

The auto technician cleaned the timing device in my nine year old Subaru. I bet he took it out and wiped it on his pants leg. Perhaps he went the extra mile and blew on it too. Popped it back in, changed the oil and then probably called the tattoo parlor and made an appointment for a full-body tat since he was rich.

If you know of a "Bernie" in Rochester who wants to fix my car next time, let me know!