Just Interviewed with an Amazing Shop....

[asphaltgambler]

........ So I was sworn to complete secrecy upon the face-to-face; conditional that I never reveal the name, location, or owners. But what I can say is this:

The shop is privately owned and in Virginia.Even if you had their name /phone number and googled it, you probably would not get any conclusive results
They restore, modify and service mostly Ferrari, but also most other high-end and pre-war classics. The facility; both sales and service is more elegant than the Belagio Hotel. It is as large, if not larger than Jay Lenos shop.

While waiting in the showroom area these are just a few units all are Pebble beach quality. 308 GT / '67 Corvette roadster 427-435hp / Ferrari GTO / 1930 Dupont Sedan serial #1 / 1930 Dupont sedan serial #4 / Astin Martin DB4 / Two late Porsches - 1 turbo-1 targa S4 / His and hers later matching ferrari's (forgot the model) / vintage bicycles and a few post war scooters.

And last but not least a Open wheel Bugatti battery powered race car made for a child that was actually made by........you guessed it.....Bugatti.
.
One one the cars currently undergoing restoration is a Stanley Steamer

[azasadny]

I hope you get the job!!

[Hugh R]

"Astin Martin DB4 "

Sorry, Aston Martin DB4

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by asphaltgambler

.
One one the cars currently undergoing restoration is a Stanley Steamer

Damn, you work on carpet cleaning equipment?
All kidding aside, good luck.

[RWebb]

Good luck and post some pics when you can.

They don't have to be of THIS shop - they could be say, a "similar" shop...

[Rick Lee]

Are you sure you're not just saying it's in VA to throw us off? I know of a shop just like this in Gaitherburg, MD.

[kycarguy 935]

There is a big car museum off 81 maybe 45 mins past I-64 turn off if I remember right.

Good luck!

[Tobra]

good luck, that would be fun

[A930Rocket]

Good luck. Sounds like a great place to work!

[asphaltgambler]

It is located near Dulles airport - I know I failed to spell some of the makes correctly, my Bad. It could be an unbelieveable opportunity based on what I saw and was told; if I was offered the position, but the final terms were hinted at but not fully disclosed.

Initially it is a cattle call of sorts, a very broad net has been cast - I think the pool of veteran/master ferrari techs is an extremely small one. I believe they are looking for people who are or have the nuts to be 'craftsmen' is this trade.

Funny thing was/is they wanted initial contact by phone; voicemail. Then if the candidate passed that stage they were called back for brief interview. If you passed that hurdle the next stage was face-to-face. Brief intro then you were handed a capped pen with a standard employment app. You were directed to complete it . Upon completion I notified the director. He motioned me into his office and directed me top sit in a specific chair (there were three) I handed him my app w/ the pen; capped

He briefly looked it over and said "Congradulations! you just passed the next test" Me "???" He said the form was filled out completely, legibly, and that I had returned the pen with the cap back on facing him with out complaining of the process

[Laneco]

The guy that fills out his paperwork for a job, legibly, without *****ing, is the same guy who will write out customer service orders, put entries into maintenance folders, etc., LEGIBLY without *****ING!!! The guy that you talk to on the phone who is intelligent, well spoken and convivial, will also treat customers/vendors with the same degree of professionalism.

They are weeding the field and you are in the running. Every now and then you get an employment opportunity where you look and think, WOW! i GET to work here! This sounds like it. Best of luck to you, but it sounds like you are making your own luck.

angela

[GH85Carrera]

There is a similar shop in Gainesville TX. We took a tour of the place a couple of years ago. The entire shop is air conditioned. They specialize in Ferrari but they do a lot of old Mercedes. He had a customer's 512 BB factory track car that he was duplicating for the owner because the real one was so rare and expensive. The owner could drive the recreation on the track.

I asked him how much of the car did they need to rebuild a car. He said all they need is a clear title. They can make everything else.

Good luck. If you can get on at a place like that you will soon have skills that are rare and always in demand.

[asphaltgambler]

Thanks for the enouragement all! With out question it would be THE opportunity, the culmination of my lifes work and play if does work out. There are damn few guys that I know or know of that have as broad skill set as mione that could be applied to this opportunity.

Only after the meeting and tour of the facility did he offer his business card and ask me for my resume' via email. He did say he wanted to continue a "Line of communication with me" - So I would say I at least am still in the running

[onewhippedpuppy]

Sounds like an honor to even be considered, good luck!

[Rick Lee]

Is this the shop on Moran Rd. up by Curry's?

[cairns]

Naw it's on Mercure Circle I think.

Funktion Auto, right? (don't tell us)

Hope you get the job!

[asphaltgambler]

Originally Posted by cairns

Naw it's on Mercure Circle I think.

Funktion Auto, right? (don't tell us)

Hope you get the job!

Not Funktion (which is a very nice shop) but you are getting extremely warm - possibly hot

[asphaltgambler]

To be completely upfront - their ads have been out locally for @6 weeks or so. When a phone # was the only initial point of contact listed and then I googled it and found almost nothing. I thought ..........who the h3ll has a business like that w/no web presence ??? So I blew it off believing that it some private small time establishment that was on the verge of failure. Trust me I've interviewed and known many shops like this. As in: "We do Boyd Coddington-like work here and some of clients vehicles value exceed $300K...............we need someone with your talent but can only pay $40k/yr" .........................yeah

Two weeks ago they re-worded the ad, much more specific which got my attention. I do feel that most technicans, regardless of experience would not have gotten as far as I have. The director did mention that he had interviewed a Ferrari guy almost tailor made to what he was looking for, but that he was basically an a$$ - didn't even get the shop tour

[Zeke]

I'd work at a shop like that for 40K/year.

[asphaltgambler]

not me; thanks but no thanks. I'd be giving my talents away. I'm 51 and have a skill set and resume' that represents a lifetime of work, education and achievement. If I want to make $40k a year I'll go drive a truck and not have to think or be responsible for too much.