14/06/2026
Ok. So a big announcement; I'm closing the workshop doors for good at the end of September! It feels a bit surreal and emotional but I believe the time is right. There are plans afoot in the future to demolish my shop and with a big zero birthday at the end of this month ( I know, I dont look nearly 50 🤣), its the push I needed.
I must thank all of my loyal customers for allowing me the privilege (sometimes huge headaches 😩 🤣) to work on, modify and service these rolling pieces of history for well over 30 years as Harry Harpics (clean round the bend - to give it the full original title) and some of you that followed me from Microgiant, even longer than that. Without Tony from Microgiant, I would not have had the start required to last this long, he allowed and encouraged me to run with my ideas, to try things I'd never done before "How hard can it be" is the mantra I've lived by , often getting me into trouble, sometimes coming up with inventions and solutions.
I've made some great friends along the way, which is why its been a "mainly" enjoyable journey, just doing my hobby that began 53 years ago with my first 1970 1300cc Sahara beige bug, SFJ 85H, long since gone to that great scrap yard in the sky.
Support from family has been invaluable, Kyle, I love you man, always the voice of reason, Beau, for always sorting anything office and IT related, still fixing things occasionally now, to the amazing human dynamo that is Keely and Lou for being the rock in the background, allowing me to follow my passion and in the last 9 years, my beautiful Soph, what a fantastic dog and furry friend she has been and still is, forever surprising me with her intelligence and love for life, she's help keep me sane. And a special note to The Monkey Boy and Scooty Baby, amazing friends, you guys.
So what does the future look like; definitely not lots of home DIY, I hate DIY; I will be available for "home visits" doing certain jobs,(tuning, health check etc) as well as offering tuition for anyone wanting to learn some basics to keep their air cooled alive themselves, plus vehicle appraisal and tech and fault finding advice.
Lastly, my workshop full of parts and spares; it needs to go. It goes against all I believe in to think of it going for scrap, so I'm looking at having a "everything must go" sale near the middle to end of September, so keep an eye and ear for exact dates, then please share. Between now and then I have a lot of work booked, so will be very very picky with any new jobs that come along and I will actually be finishing my 65, Mr Coco, actually carrying out real hobby work for a change, I think I've earnt a little bit of "me" time.
Writing this has been more emotional than I expected, but then again, my life in VWs has been who and what I am and although my business era is closing, VWs and to be honest any interesting classic or race vehicle, will always be there.
Thanks guys 😍
