PMM ’s Freya Coleman hears from Jody Bevan of MNJ Autocare about her journey in rescuing a classic car and raising money for charity.
Jody Bevan has been in the motor trade for 25 years, starting in 1997vin Saddleworth working on commercial vehicles, plant and machinery as well as everyday cars for routine maintenance and MOT preparation. Now, she owns her own business ‘MNJ Autocare’ in Springhead, Oldham.
She always had a dream to work on classic cars so when an old ford’s unit was offered to her behind her current workshop she couldn’t refuse. As a result, Jody has recently opened the new workshop ‘MNJ Classics’ but her first quest was to raise money and awareness for a chosen charity whilst saving another classic car. Jody came up with the idea of purchasing an affordable starter classic car, that she and her team could recommission and raffle – all whilst documenting the affair on her Youtube channel ‘Auto Lass’.
After getting her friend Sarah Crabtree onboard, known from the TV show Bangers and Cash, to source a suitable starter classic car she could save and raffle, it became time to select the charity. Jody landed on the UK Sepsis Trust having suffered sepsis and septic shock herself in 2019, almost losing her life. Sarah sourced a 1981 Morris Ital 1.7HL and they chose the name – Igor.
Bump in the road
With everything set, Jody and her team got to work. They gained some sponsors who have been alongside Jody every step of the way, including Lucas Oil, Sykes Pickavant and Frost Restoration, with huge support also coming from ‘GEO Garage Equipment Online’.
There was sadly an unforeseen delay with Jody suffering two minor strokes in May causing her to be absent from work. However, Superman Errol as he is known on social media and YouTube or Errol Atherton – an 81 year-old friend of Jody’s and her team, also ex motor trade – took over Igor’s transformation for Jody in her absence.
Jody was able to return eight weeks later and get stuck right back in and said “it was a terrifying experience and one that I hope I never have to experience again. But life goes on and you only have one shot at life. I was so desperate to get back at it with my wonderful team. Errol really saved the day by stepping up and taking charge of Igor.”
A helping hand
Local businesses have been very supportive, offering help in any way possible. A large amount of parts and sundry items have been donated by Jody’s local motor factor ABS in Oldham (Alliance Automotive), a full set of Toyo tyres have been donated by AC Tyres in Oldham and Barclays Automotive Detailing from Oldham who fully valeted Igor and gave him a ceramic coat for free. Even Whittaker Design in Lees have shown huge moral support, creating a miniature mascot of Auto Lass for promotion.
But one business who went above and beyond is MB Autos in Mossley. Darren and Jake Moloney, a father and son team, have taken Igor, prepped and painted the car for free and also donated all the paint and materials, producing an incredible finish on Igor. Jody expressed her gratitude, and how she was “so grateful to the companies and businesses that have shown such great support. The Oldham business community have really pulled together on this one and when we all work together, it just shows what good can come of it”
Another one of Jody’s very good friends Craig Hughes, known from the TV series Salvage Hunters, kindly offered his services of any upholstery that needed doing. There was only the driver’s seat that required a repair, and they filmed the process throughout.
And the winner is…
The raffle live draw was set for the 24th August at Lucas Oil Products UK HQ in Llangefni, Anglesey. Craig accompanied Jody, choosing the winning ticket and the winner of Igor was announced – Brent Burnett from Liversedge.
Brent visited the Auto Lass workshop to meet Igor for the very first time. He was overjoyed by the transformation. He said that “Igor looks fantastic, Jody and her team have done an amazing job. I have watched all the videos and seen all the hard work that has gone into getting Igor to such a high standard.”
They also did the numbers and worked out that they had raised a grand total of £3,300 for The UK Sepsis Trust.
The future
Jody and her team are planning to recommission a starter classic car each year for a different charity. She says that “the next raffle car and charity will be announced soon. We have kindly been donated a car this time. I haven’t actually seen it in the metal yet but from the pictures, it looks doable and suitable. A car that ‘everybody’ knows and will have heard of” She will be announcing this in her next YouTube video, so make sure to go check it out! Jody is also starting an ‘Auto Lass Star Apprentice’ promotion, where she is hoping to give young people recognition on her YouTube channel. Employers can nominate their apprentices and she will feature them.
