Classic/Race Car Mechanic

Description

This position is responsible for maintaining and repairing a mixed fleet of vintage, classic, and historic motor vehicles. Successful execution is dependent upon high-quality workmanship, acute attention to detail, resulting in a high level of reliability and performance, with a great emphasis on returning to or maintaining vehicles in original period configuration. The incumbent should also have a synergistic and empathetic relationship with the Owner. The incumbent should have vast extensive experience in all aspects of car maintenance, including the gearbox, differential, engine electrical, shocks, carburetors, and brakes. Overnight travel is expected 3-5 weekends annually to support vehicles on road rallies and race events.

Major Responsibilities:

• Maintain and repair a historic motorcycle collection.
• Keep antique, brass-era, classic, and post-war automobiles ready for immediate and occasional use.
• Identify existing and potential vehicle problems.
• Maintain a professional, efficient, and effective workshop.
• Communicate clearly and work well with colleagues.
• Protect the privacy of the owner and collection.
• Transport vehicles and parts as needed, including to road rallies, collecting newly acquired vehicles, and making repair pickups and deliveries.
• Assist with transportation maintenance.
• Occasionally assist grounds and facility maintenance crews as needed.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.
• Show initiative and enthusiasm for the work.

Required Skills and Experience

• Two-year technical degree in automotive mechanics or comparable training in basic electrical systems, engines, drivelines, suspension, and related systems.
• Exceptional mechanical aptitude developed through formal training and experience.
• Ability to deliver high-quality work within reasonable timeframes.
• Versatile, resourceful, innovative, practical, and self-motivated.
• Knowledge of carburetor operation and tuning.
• Understanding of gearbox operation and ability to rebuild gearboxes.
• Understanding of differential operation and ability to rebuild differentials.
• Strong knowledge of automotive electrical systems and ability to diagnose faults.
• Knowledge of starter motor, generator, and magneto operation.
• Broad understanding of all automotive systems and components.
• Race car experience preferred.
• Basic fabrication skills and experience—including welding, metal forming and shaping, lathe and mill work, and basic engineering—preferred.
• Excellent diagnostic abilities supported by practical experience. 
• Ability to quickly assess vehicle condition, identify existing or potential problems, and resolve them.
• Perceptive and proactive, with sensitivity to each vehicle’s mechanical needs.
• Ability to set up, tune, diagnose, rebuild, repair, and maintain all types of suspension components. Knowledge of shock absorbers, sway bars, caster, camber, bump steer, toe-in/out, ride height, and related concepts.
• Experience driving truck-and-trailer rigs and loading, unloading, securing, and transporting vehicles preferred.
• Efficient, productive, and responsive, with a cost-conscious approach that preserves quality.
• Self-directed and motivated, with the ability to complete tasks within reasonable timeframes.
• Strong connections in the collector vehicle trade and knowledge of sources for parts, supplies, rebuilding and repair services, technical information, and advice.
• Clean, organized, and professional in attitude, work, and appearance. Attentive to detail and committed to lasting, high-quality results.

The duties and responsibilities described here are not a comprehensive list, and the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.