Doors roll open on garage refurb

A LONG-shuttered garage is about to be reborn as part of a new venture bridging the roadside and mechanic services gap between Ballarat and Geelong.

Having been previously used as a mechanic’s for more than 20 years until the mid-1970s, Cape Clear Garage is being refurbished by new founder and operator Aaron Vince.

He said it’s been a rewarding six months of work.

“It’s been fantastic,” he said. “We’ve had everything rewired, a new electrical box, power-points, because everything was from the 50s.

“There was a bit to bring the garage back up to spec. We still need to cover the old pit and hydraulic hoist. We’ll keep the outside original with a bluestone front.

“The garage we’re in was ran from 1952 to 1975. The old fella shut it down and it’s been vacant since. It’s just been storage for cars for the family.

“Two of my best friends bought the entire property and weren’t doing anything with the shed so we decided to open it back up and bring some life back into Cape.”

Services will include onsite and in-shed mechanical repairs as well as rebuilds, general services and roadside assistance.

Mr Vince is preparing a second vehicle with the aim of hiring an additional mechanic within the next six months, depending on workflow.

Having started his mechanic apprenticeship at 15 in Geelong, he shifted careers to become a boilermaker for six years before returning to mechanic work with his Ballarat business AK’s Automotive four years ago.

With his current clientele said to roll into Cape Clear Garage, Mr Vince said he saw a need for a garage in the region to accommodate for the lack of services between the major cities.

“There’s nothing in-between,” he said. “Where Cape is, everyone drives into town to Smythesdale, Lismore, Geelong.

“It’s better to have something local. There’s a few guys around the farms that do a few things to help out but they’re obviously stretched with the season.

“It’ll be good to get this open full-time and meet all the locals.”