(Cue annual joke).
Not long now till blokes start their Christmas shopping! So, thought we’d better get our opening hours up and out, too.
Naturally your booking app will mirror:
Tuesday 24th: CLOSED.
Wednesday: 25th: CLOSED.
Thursday 26th: CLOSED.
Tuesday 31st: CLOSED.
Wednesday 1st: CLOSED.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – thank you once again for all of your continued trust throughout 2024.
Photo credit: Fellow owner Harry out in the ‘Offender’.
I’ve had all year to prepare for this week, yet here I am, sat in a roadside Starbucks (although wait till I tell you what’s outside) frantically putting the finishing touches to your festive newsletter. Not to mention having not started my Christmas shopping, changed the tyres on Sid, fitted the new car seat, etc. etc. – know the feeling? 🤯
Meanwhile, it’s been another mad year and I am very aware that I broke my promise to write more. However, I come with jingle bells and aim to make up for it with your latest instalment from GQ HQ.
Let’s dispatch the boring stuff first and guide you to our festive opening hours so we can cut to the chase; window shopping your fellow owners cars for sale! It’s been 18 months since we started saying yes and helping you avoid the tyre kicking public, snarky auctions and general sinister point of view on anything used being sold.
Two highlights in particular spring to mind – selling the 900 mile Aventador and reconnecting a previous owner and her husband with their 1981 Mercedes SL380 (Photos below).
The fortuitous event with the SL came about merely via a late night google and has since ended up being reunited with the lovely couple, Mary and Wyn, and their now c40 year old children! One comment during their viewing stuck with me – “One Summer, we didn’t put the hood back up for 2 months as the european adventure rolled on”. Oh, the joys of pre ISOFIX.
On from there, and depending how large your stocking is you might wish to check out our latest product review. And if there is still space left, the Tipo184 should help fill a gap – she is big!
For anyone that keeps missing our meets, here is another reminder of our last and next event – Sunday 5th January. We are very much looking forward to getting up and out with you once again. (Mind you, slightly less so cleaning up the week after!).
Much like leaving Fergie’s Man United until last on Match of the Day, I can confirm that The Penthouse, is open! It has been the most anxious of times during the whole 10 year GQ journey making such a bold move. Naturally, if one has ‘Daddy’s trust fund’, these things could be done off the bat. But, when moving and shaking as best you can, an expansion can only be timed when a window presents. It was literally a now or never moment from a space point of view.
However, from what you are telling me, your trust and support is still growing. The icing on the cake was being able to use British steel which has been proudly pressed into the side of each RSJ. ...and what better way to test the load ratings than sending Sid up into the gods with our fingers crossed! (See below).
To help repay all the support, we wanted to find a way to thank you properly for referring your friends. This time with more than just a coffee – a proper paying referral scheme. Some of you will have already received yours so thank you, again.
Ooo, and while I have you – if anyone is looking for a new read this Crimbo I can recommend Chris Harris’ Variable Valve Timing. No spoilers, but I will say that it brought me to nostalgic tears. Twice. And for anyone reading this on the day, looks like it’s also available for download on Audible.
Sat here sipping the remainder of my third cold coffee, the first of the Starbucks staff have started looking at me funnily, I really must start wrapping this up with a few shout outs. Firstly, to the GQ Crew. They have been relentless in getting each and everyone to the party on time and looking their best – it really is a lifestyle job this and one has to fully embrace the completely random logistics that come our way each day. They are all up for it, and have exceeded expectations – take a bow, gang.
The other, and I have something in my eye again here, is you – the owners. Referring, feeding back, suggesting, supporting, even offering to come and work at times. I am genuinely blown away. Thank you once again for your trust.
OK, the staff here are now flickering the lights and I can’t nurse another coffee for much longer. So, as I close the MacBook on 2024 and before I move off to the next maintenance wash – Merry Christmas to each and every one of you.
I hope you enjoy the newsletter.
Tim and the GQ Crew.
P.S. Ran out of time to tell you about the current wheels – see final pic below. Full thoughts coming soon.
Team GQ taking some much deserved time during the Christmas do!
The Autumn (and winter for that matter) Scrambles are my favourite. There is something special about a colourfully leafy Sunday that adds to the occasion, and this year was no different.
16 of you from across our locations joined us for the run out – the essence of scrambling begins. Getting split and re joining the group randomly, or even forming new groups can be something one must get used to when traveling in strong numbers. In fact, once aware, this is a rather nice characteristic of this lovely seasonal event.
Like the claw from Toy Story as we filter in, there is always 1 that gets picked for the display - this quarter it was Steven in his F8 Tributo. I wasn’t surprised.
However, pound for pound the pick of the day in the GQ convoy was Tom in his 996 C4S. Two very subtle mods help set it apart (will leave you to guess). OK, yes, the colour combo and 3 peddles help a tad, too.
There was one small mishap though. Will let the photo do further talking. We actually feel partly to blame as it seems we may have been the last to drive her! (Jury is still out). However, given how ace the GQ Crew are, these things somehow make up the day and as you can see from the smile, all was well.
The event is continuing to go from strength to strength – almost like Goodwood in the early days. Leaves one wondering where it might go next... From memory it was simply a fiver to get in. Here’s hoping the latest price is going someway to maintaining the very special location. That, the quality of the coffee coupled with the relaxed nature of casually parked F40’s next to E38’s make this such a special event.
Icing on the cake is that it’s all over before you know it and you are back in time for Sunday lunch. The only evidence being slightly darker front alloys! Or perhaps a little ketchup or coffee down your hoodie.
To register for the Winter one (5th January) hit the button below and we’ll get you on the guest list. As always, all GQ-ers are welcome but Care Pack and Half Board owners are complementary.
As this is a ticket only event allocation is on a first come first served basis – please sign up early to avoid disappointment:
A special thank you to fellow owner Harry for helping coordinate the day – and providing the jerry can!
Dream job or worse nightmare? I’m not going sugar coat it, it’s bloody hard work!
A skill 10 years ago I lacked empathy for – hats off to the veterans reverse parking up hill, through narrow gates and around corners, at night in the rain. All while the owner and their family are watching!
It’s a marmite job. And guess which type of person we are looking for? Training will be provided but the right candidate needs to have some proven experience in advance driving as a minimum.
If this is you, it gets better. We think the right person should be rewarded for their skill and dedication for delivering precious cargo safely in the form of share options. Yes! You are reading that correctly – not only is this a job, it is an ownership opportunity.
Think you have what it takes and want to find out more? Complete the below and we’ll get back to you.
Not going to lie – I was a little sceptical at first but it has been great to see some of you opting for one of our latest products, tyre cushions.
Made from recycled tyres (yes, they are flogging us our old rubber back – genius!), this new product typically suits owners that might use their vehicles less frequently and as the names suggests, they simply put an end to flat spotting.
They are a bit of a faff to set up but if you are OCD with your car prep like the GQ Crew then you’ll love um. And given the price of decent rubber these days it could soften the cost, too. (See what I did there).
There is also something a little therapeutic about having your car clean, covered, charged AND cushioned. I have included a few candid shots below to illustrate how we have been doing it for some of you.
So, to treat the other girl or guy in your life, simply hit the button below or ping us on WA.
…and yes, in case your were wondering, the unaligned Porsche crest on the alloy bugs me, too!
And below is a longer term example.
From our on site service, repair and restoration studio to procured third party and main dealer management – let us bat for you, navigate the sales jargon and facilitate the end to end logistics including collection and delivery to your door.
No matter how small the snag, complex the restoration or intricate the supercar service is, our service advisors are on tap to support.
The best part? You typically pay the same price as if you were doing it yourself. Why go into the unknown, alone…
Read our testimonies here, give us a call or complete the form below and one of our service advisors will be in touch to discuss.
An example of our on-site capabilities.
Covered trailer delivery and collection available.
All managed for and with you.
Don’t worry, I’m not talking about some fancy/annoying energy saving tech on your daily. I’m actually opening ourselves up and inviting you to feedback on your experience of working with us.
To keep things as simple as me, I have gone for the Start, Stop, Continue (SSC) model.
So, in the true spirit of openness and given many minds are better than (my mini) one – here goes.
I know, right. £250 just for connecting the dots?
For every owner you introduce us to that becomes part of the GQ World we will pay you up to £250, depending on the duration and services taken.
To help us grow and to grab some dosh to boot submit the form below and I’ll reach out to them personally to ensure both your friend and their pride and joy is looked after with sincerity.
It gets better! Should your referral turn into an even bigger customer you can qualify for even more spondoolies.
Slang aside for a moment – we grow best by friendly referrals so if you think we are doing a great job we’d love your help in taking GQ to the next level.
Feel free to call anytime or use the form below to ask a question – we’d love to hear from you.
