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  • STRIPPERS: CARS FOR CASH

BEN SZYMANSKI

Home town
Ilkley, Yorkshire

Qualifications
1 Year study of Motorsport Engineering

Work History
Post Vintage Engineers - Vehicle Technician
Servicing & restoration of post war Aston Martin motorcars.

Skills and Knowledge
Comprehensive mechanic skills and good knowledge of cars and parts
Comprehensive knowledge of scrap car market
Comprehensive use of garage equipment

He says:
“I'll often spend my weekends lending a helping hand to friends on anything from a simple brake pad change and fluid flush to a full blown engine rebuild.”

Profile
As a child, no appliance was safe from Ben, who loves taking things apart to find out how they work. Back then, his family despaired for their electricals, but now Ben has the knowledge and expertise to put things back together as enthusiastically as he takes them apart. He has built his own kit car, and is always happy to explain the mechanics of cars to others. He loves exploring scrapyards, but only if they really give him a chance to get his hands dirty.

FRANKIE OATWAY

Home town
Amersham, Bucks

Work History
Second hand car dealer

Skills and Knowledge
Good mechanic skills and general knowledge of cars and parts
Good knowledge of scrap car market
Expert use of garage equipment

He says:
“When I see a car, I see money. I don’t see nothing else.”

Profile
Frankie is from a family of car breakers, scrap merchants, and market traders, and was at one time working in the family scrap yard.  He has been a second hand car dealer and always has an eye out for a bargain that he can turn around and sell for a healthy profit.  As he says, buying and selling runs in his blood.  His all-round knowledge of the scrap car trade will be invaluable to the show and he is well known in the business, which will open a few doors.  He has a big personality, and an East End gangster look. He is larger than life and has a colourful history.  He is very keen to return to one of his first loves; cars and all things mechanical.

GEORGE PERCY

Home town
Tunbridge Wells

Qualifications
•    City and Guilds Mechanics
•    NVQ 2 and 3 Motor Vehicle Mechanical
•    1st Aider
•    Various Ford and Mercedes Training

Work History
•    Apprentice trained.  
•    Worked in the garage and car repair industry since leaving school.
•    Self-employed Mobile Mechanic, repairs and salvage

Skills and Knowledge
•    Expert mechanic skills and comprehensive knowledge of cars and parts
•    Strong knowledge of scrap car market
•    Expert use of garage equipment

He says:
“I own 21 cars and I’m always on the lookout for more.”

Profile
George lives and breathes cars. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of cars and how they work, and has impressed everyone with his expertise and understanding. He uses scrap yards all the time both for his customers and his own cars. He is enthusiastic about the show and has already made himself useful with suggestions for locations and vehicles. He loves being in front of the camera and works well with other people.

SHELDON NICHOLS

Home town
Edgeware

Qualifications
Apprentice trained mechanic

Work History
23 years in the motor trade
Qualified motor technician
Stripping and fitting cars
Ran his own business buying, selling and recovering cars

Skills and Knowledge
Expert mechanic skills and comprehensive knowledge of cars and parts
Good knowledge of scrap car market
Expert use of garage equipment

He says:
“The art of selling is about selling yourself first.”

Profile
Sheldon knew he loved cars from the age of 5, when his father used to own and run a mechanics business. He started a mechanics apprenticeship at 15, and has worked with cars ever since. He has a particular interest in classic cars; his dream car would be a Porsche GT3 RS. He has three brothers, and has worked on all of their cars, including a complete rebuild of the motor of one.
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