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.<\/p>\n
Having been previously used as a mechanic\u2019s for more than 20 years until the mid-1970s, Cape Clear Garage is being refurbished by new founder and operator Aaron Vince.<\/p>\n
He said it\u2019s been a rewarding six months of work.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been fantastic,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ve had everything rewired, a new electrical box, power-points, because everything was from the 50s.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a bit to bring the garage back up to spec. We still need to cover the old pit and hydraulic hoist. We\u2019ll keep the outside original with a bluestone front.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe garage we\u2019re in was ran from 1952 to 1975. The old fella shut it down and it\u2019s been vacant since. It\u2019s just been storage for cars for the family.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo of my best friends bought the entire property and weren\u2019t doing anything with the shed so we decided to open it back up and bring some life back into Cape.\u201d<\/p>\n
Services will include onsite and in-shed mechanical repairs as well as rebuilds, general services and roadside assistance.<\/p>\n
Mr Vince is preparing a second vehicle with the aim of hiring an additional mechanic within the next six months, depending on workflow.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s Automotive four years ago.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s nothing in-between,\u201d he said. \u201cWhere Cape is, everyone drives into town to Smythesdale, Lismore, Geelong.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s better to have something local. There\u2019s a few guys around the farms that do a few things to help out but they\u2019re obviously stretched with the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll be good to get this open full-time and meet all the locals.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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\u2019s for more than 20 years until the mid-1970s, Cape Clear Garage is being refurbished by new founder and operator Aaron Vince. He said […]<\/p>\n