I made the journey in reasonable weather conditions, with the sun gaining in strength every hour, making even the M6 look acceptable. The driving abilities of a BMW 7 driver were not though. As I joined the M6 from the M56, as I prepared to join the nearside lane, this particular muppet slowed down and matched my speed as I came alongside. As he wouldn't move over (yes, the other lanes were clear) and one of those left hand drive articulated lorries with a trailer was joining from the other left lane, I had no choice but to brake hard and pull in behind him, touring cars style. Thank goodness for blindspot mirrors, as he slowed I wouldn't have seen him without them, as I would have assumed he had passed by then. He then accelerated up to 90/100mph or so. I don't know if it was deliberate, or he just hadn't seen me and was playing with something. Still a Muppet (putting it politely), whatever he was doing.

I had to pick up a part for my Range Rover first, so a deviation was made along the M62, coming off at the first junction eastbound after the M6, past where Specialist Leisure used to be. I soon found the house and after one wrong slot off the A580, found myself outside the new facilities.

Patrick reminded me they had only started the business back in 2001, when they were based in Culcheth. He ran the Yankee Jeep Club back in those days, which enabled him to have a decent database of 2,000 or so potential clients to commenced the business with. After two and a half years in their rented premises, he decided their wasn't enough space to let the business develop as he wished, so they moved to the new premises over two years ago.

The new premises is much more secure than the previous and they have developed their own bespoke security system. This extra space has allowed them to work on up to five vehicles at a time and there is provision for the storage of donor vehicles. And it's not just Jeeps they work on - there were quite a few Solihull products in and around the workshop, which I added to with 'Herbie'. Suzukis are another marque which visit quite often, along with Toyotas, Nissans and the rest of the 4x4s.

Since I last saw their original premises, they have added many extra brands and are actually 4x4 supplier to the Motor World empire. Not surprisingly, a considerable amount of equipment is imported from the States and they tend use branded goods, as opposed to having bespoke items made. As most vehicles are left hand drive across the 'Pond', sometimes it is necessary to carry out adaptations to enable them to work on right hand drive vehicles, which their fully equipped workshop is able to undertake.

Although the workshop carries out fitting, modifying and servicing, bodywork and painting is shopped out to reputable body and paint shops nearby, so they can offer a complete 'one-stop' service. The showroom is full of lovely shiny things, from Paris-Dakar models (diecast type!) to Warn winches and loads of alloy wheels in between! There exceedingly thick catalogue is testimony to the vast range that they have access to.