In defence of the bodge
I appreciate the challenges faced by auto restorers and maintainers cited in your wonderfully informative magazine. I’ve learned much and keep virtually every copy. But I have an apology on behalf of those of us who you often lament as authors of a previous bodge – a ‘British-ism’ that assumes a repair could have been done better or used better parts.
When I say apology I mean it in the biblical sense as a defence for the bodge. Firstly, many new car restorers or home mechanics learn by doing a job poorly. I know I do. Sorry about that. We should all learn as much as we can ahead of a starting a job but… not at the cost of never starting. So, a bodge can be a badge of courage for new hobbyists.
Secondly, better parts may not either be available . We therefore bodge with what we have at hand. The result is the car is still available to be restored when better parts allow. So, I’m sorry for my bodges. And not sorry, too.
John Bouwers, Milton, Canada