John's Garage Irish YouTube Channel

Hi Folks. On this weeks episode of John's Garage I take a 1993 Mazda MX 5 (Eunos) for a drive and share some thoughts about the car.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=UFJ1ATmXDPE…

It would be great to hear and read your comments regarding if people would like the channel to continue as after the 5th episode next week I wish to make a decision on if it's something worth pursuing on a more permanent basis. It takes a huge amount of time and generosity on behalf of the cars owners to make the channel possible. Thank you!

Well spotted, hard to miss it in fairness. For now it's the concept I'm trying to see if there is a demand for. There is one more episode already recorded which takes the initial planned for run to 5 after which I wanted to see if people wanted more before I started to spend money as to get good quality equipment costs. I'm also learning as I go along and I suppose for now that's best done cheap.

But you're absolutely correct, the sound needs to be tackled if there is to be a 6th episode and a lapel mic will be the way it's done.

I think for now it's firmly a hobby. If it turns into anything else that's just a lucky break I think.

You're right about lots of people doing different things online, my angle is the local perspective but nothing is nailed down. I've a few ideas in mind.

No worries about subscribing, I completely get its not for everyone, nothing is.

Hi folks,

Just thought I'd update this with the latest range of videos. Hopefully you'll notice an improvement in quality especially sound. A lot more videos have been made, from mundane cars to poster cars, and are in the pipeline to be released over the next few weeks so please subscribe to the channel.

Thank you!

BMW E36 M3 Evo

Citroen BX GTI 8 Valve

Toyota Corolla Deluxe KE30

This weeks episode of John's Garage will feature a Phoenix Yellow BMW E46 M3. It'll be available back at the normal time of 1pm, Thursday.

In case you missed last weeks episode  featuring a 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera, you can catch up with it at this link---------------->  https://youtu.be/Z4gnprsWjXM

We now have over 200 subscribers on this Irish channel and it would be great if more could subscribe, share and comment. 

Sorry for the delayed notice this week, my little lad ended up in A&E. All good though.

Anyway, this week I take a drive in an old battered Merc C180 that was given to me by the previous owner. Mechanically perfect, interior perfect but the body has one, two or three dents on it.

If anyone has a passenger door in the right colour I'd be very grateful for a donation.

Anyways, enjoy the video

https://youtu.be/RWkNUWC8I-Q

Hi folks, hope you enjoyed that. Next video will be posted on the 18th of November

Now LIVE on John's Garage, this weeks video walk around and drive of an original 2001 Lexus LS 430 'Ultra' which was a very rare special order including a personalised reg plate. The owner is looking for a little help to try to identify the original owner of the car who placed the special order for such a rare model. 

Enjoy the video, don't forget to LIKE and COMMENT and please share if you could!

TWO IMPORTANT UPDATES:

I'm going to try and go back to weekly videos next week with a focus on car models and a little history on them every second week. If there is any you'd like me to focus on let me know, I'm going to start with a few cars I've already featured. This won't be anorak stuff but thought it would be interesting all the same. I'm also happy to build it around videos of viewers cars or pictures. I've reached out to people on YouTube to be allowed use their videos and vintage ads for the cars with little response so trying to get around that issue.

I'd also like to give a little space for people based in Ireland who offer specialist service in the motor trade. I'm thinking people who can refurb rare parts, 3d print parts, refurb the chrome finish on headlights, rechrome body parts, retrim interiors etc. I'm hoping to give 30-60 slots where you tell us what you do and how you can be contacted. 

I've noticed a lot of people asking online about these things who would have normally sent parts to the UK but since Brexit this has been an issue. I'm hoping the solutions can be highlighted here at home to help them. 

I don't want anything for this happy to give the space to help if people want to take advantage of the offer. 

Anyway, this weeks video:

Good idea, I'll suggest it to the owner

Do you have a skill or business that can help keep Irish Classic or Specialist cars on the road? Would you like to make a short video with me explaining what you do, how it might be useful and how you can be contact? WATCH THE VIDEO for more information. This is for people and Businesses on the Island of Ireland only. Please share the video to brand specific Facebook groups and Clubs. It would be great to give these small business or individuals a platform to highlight what they do. 

I drive viewers cars so once one comes along I'll happily do it

For anyone considering importing a car I've made a video showing how to calculate what you'll owe, be warned, the 1992 OMSP is from the Revenue website but they'll calculate it using their (un)lucky dip system

This week on John's Garage we take a look at the history of the 4th Generation Toyota Carina II including some Irish and International ads from when it was new. You won't find this anywhere else (literally, I looked, there is no video of it and barely any articles about it online)

Enjoy, and please feel free to share, like and subscribe. 

This week on John's Garage I take a recently imported BMW E34 BMW 535i Sport for a drive. 

It would be great if people could like the video if you enjoy it, share it and please subscribe to the channel.

I know the owner is immensely proud of this car and would like to see the video doing well and I'd love to read your thoughts on it.

I hope you all enjoyed that, more films already recorded.

In the meantime there is 21 videos currently on the channel in case you're looking for something to do over the next 48hours that isn't Christmas related!

Just wanted to share a little stats on the channel, its's growing well with views and subscriptions doubling now every 28 days.

However, 85% of regular viewers aren't subscribed. In order to help the channel grow it would really be great if some of you could change that by clicking that subscription button.

Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who clicks through and watches any of the content.

Happy Christmas and a happy New Year to you all here.

Thanks Mick, people have been fairly insistent that it started life with Tim O'Mahoney of Toyota Ireland. Would he have lived around there?

They got registered out of the garage in Portlaoise. He had a a series of them all the way back to 90LS400

Depends what you mean by great to drive, it's a big luxury car that's uber comfortable and well built. If you want a sports car buy something else.

This week on John's Garage we'll be taking a look at this original 1987 Toyota 'Boxy' Starlet. Don't forget to subscribe to the channel to be kept up to date when it goes LIVE by clicking here -------> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK3fvK8I_1zPXDhqUUPOAdQ

Video will be available Thursday at 1pm. 

I really appreciate you taking the time to say that Mick. At times I don't know if I'm banging my head against the wall doing it as it's very slow to grow so I don't know if people actually enjoy it or not, flip side is I'm having huge fun making it even if it still takes about 7 hours to produce 10-15 minutes worth of material. As always, if anyone, anywhere can share this stuff I'd be very grateful. YouTube algothrims are quicker to pickup on similar UK content as they perceive a bigger audience for it.

As regards the insurance, I'm happy to share my own experience. If there happens to be a broker or someone who works with classic policies here that reads this and fancies doing a fully factual piece with me I'd love to do it for everyone. PM me.

Anyway, back to my own experience. I'm currently insured fully comp with FBD. According to them cars should be 25 years or older BUT I'm aware of several people who got a policy at 20 years old. This allows for use to shows and occasional social domestic and please (can't be your everyday car). This cost €184 for the first car, a standard 1991 Toyota MR2. It cost €80 approx to add my second car, a standard 1997 Merc C180. After that I'm unlimited in what I can add and it costs approx €40 per can per annum. So far I've included a 2001 Megane Convertible and 2002 Volvo C70. Total cost for 4 cars €344 fully comp including breakdown and windscreen cover. I can add anything over 20 years old to that policy for €40 once it's standard. If it's modified I need an engineers report and to declare mods and they'll send it to the underwriter. I have nothing like that nor do I indent to.

Hope that helps.

Axa were getting sketchy on covering newer stuff hence why I left them 2 years ago. Abbey Autoline I was insured with before and I believe their still excellent. I had a claim with them and can't say I had any issue despite people online warning because they're based in NI they'd be hard to deal with. No idea why they say that as it was handled by Allianz down here with zero issues.

The issue with committing that to video is that it's just my experience and could be different for others. Hope that's of use to you though.

Pretty much. It used to be the case that Abbey Autoline would insure specialist newer cars but I don't know if they do it or not now, same with Carol Nash but again it depends, a Clio RenaultSport wasn't considered a specialist car by them but a 318Ci was as it was a BMW.