58: Chapter 58 Maintenance and Repair 58: Chapter 58 Maintenance and Repair Allen Zhang might not know much about car repairs, but he was aware that Darren was an expert.
So he simply sat beside him, holding a drink, playing with his phone, and refilling his drink once it was finished.
During the process, he took two trips to the restroom and watched them operate in a daze.
Glancing at the time, two hours had already passed.
Is it fixed already!?
Wasn’t it just supposed to be a simple check-up?
Allen Zhang hesitated.
In the end, would they demand hundreds of dollars in labor fees and then tell him they couldn’t fix it?
Darren, engrossed in the work, reached out to his companion for parts while working, only to be told that there were no parts available.
He quickly came to his senses and realized the problem.
The customer hadn’t asked for the car to be repaired, and they hadn’t discussed the price yet.
Emerging from under the car with a dirty face, Darren came over to Allen Zhang, somewhat embarrassed and said, “I’m sorry to have kept you waiting so long, I got a bit overexcited.
After all, having the chance to repair a car , to check over this old buddy, to get it back in shape, is a very energizing experience!”
“I can understand.” Allen Zhang nodded.
The locals here are indeed filled with enthusiasm for car modification and repair, which is a special kind of culture.
There are no legal restrictions on car modification here.
You could even let it blaze down the road at a hundred and eighty miles per hour, wheels on fire, like some Ghost Rider kid.
Humorously he said, “It’s like a man on the beach who encounters a bare-bottomed beauty; you simply can’t control the impulse to look up.”
“As long as you understand how I feel!” Darren was ecstatic as if he had found a kindred spirit.
He continued, “My father has been running this repair shop for decades, and he has a wealth of repair experience.
Though I’ve been working here for over ten years, it’s rare for me to get the chance to work on such a granddad car .
There are some issues I still find challenging, and I may need to call him over.”
Allen Zhang asked in confusion, “So what exactly is the situation with my car?”
Darren said, “The engine is fine.
The spark plugs need to be replaced.
The air filter can be cleaned and reused, and the carburetor is as good as new!
The fuel tank and generator don’t have serious issues either; they just need some maintenance to keep driving as usual.”
“The motorhome’s brake fluid reservoir and brake fluid need to be replaced, and there’s a minor crack on the right rear wheel hub which needs attention.
The whole brake system and chassis require a part wash and cleaning.”
“I can help you rewire the interior circuitry of the vehicle.
The seats and mattresses will be dismantled, cleaned, and installed back.
The propane gas tank and water heating system are quite outdated now.
If you like, I can retain them for you.
But switching to a solar water heater is actually better.
It can also be used in conjunction with the air-conditioning system.”
“This motorhome seems to have been bought new and only driven a few times before being parked.
Do you know who the first owner was?” Darren asked curiously.
“I think I have his information.”
Allen Zhang remembered the stack of documents the old man at the sale had given him.
He immediately went to get it from the car and handed it over.
Darren flipped through and looked at the name and information, a bit surprised, “William McLiven?”
You know him?” Allen Zhang asked in confusion.
“Of course, he was a famous opera and stage performer in Hollywood during the 60s and 70s, very popular at the time!
But then he apparently died of bladder cancer, and his children even went to court over his estate.”
Darren lamented, “I never imagined he’d once bought a motorhome .”
Allen Zhang exclaimed, “You mean this motorhome belonged to a Hollywood opera star?”
Just look at the features inside—top-notch audio systems, front-wheel drive, cruise control, air suspension; these were all very advanced technologies at the time.
A Simmons mattress, handcrafted seats—many motorhomes from the same period didn’t have this kind of top-tier luxury.”
Darren said with a smile, “It’s really lucky to come across such a car.
It wouldn’t take much effort for a professional to handle the repairs.
I could even save you a great deal of money!”
“Breaking it down, it would only cost a few dozen dollars to purchase parts, plus our hourly maintenance labor fee of $20 per hour.”
“Are you kidding me?”
Allen Zhang was a bit surprised.
He had been prepared to spend at least hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on maintenance, and you’re telling him you can save him hundreds of dollars with just one sentence?
He jested, “You aren’t by any chance a fan of McLiven, are you?”
“I’m not, but my father is.
He even has an autographed photo of him!
My goodness, I must quickly great news with my father!” Darren was extremely excited and immediately went to the front yard with the paperwork to tell his old man, the true owner of Old Pick’s repair shop.
Allen Zhang also didn’t expect it to be such a coincidence.
Those who appear in the “Daily Intelligence” really do seem to have their own destinies arranged.
But this is good too.
Since a large chunk of money can be saved, who would want to pay for maintenance that’s more expensive than the car itself?
This place really knows how to treat a brother right!
It wasn’t long before Darren came rushing back, “My father will be here in a bit, but he’s actually more interested in asking if you have any plans to sell this car.
We can offer you $2000 for it!”
Allen Zhang was stunned on hearing this.
I just bought it for $200, and now you want to buy it off me for $2000?
What’s the deal here!
“Sorry, I have no plans to sell such a big guy,” Allen Zhang shook his head.
This car meant more to him than just a place to live.
It could house several people, be used for daily cooking, parties, and was convenient for moving and travel.
With $2000 for rent, you could only find a cheap motel or an apartment in an old community.
A small room of a few dozen square meters, not to mention the expensive utility bills for water, electricity, and heating.
Moreover, this RV, once renovated and maintained, is worth at least $7000!
“Alright, how about $2500?” Darren, seeing Allen Zhang unmoved, continued to inquire, “3000?
We can go as high as 4000!
My father really loves this car!”
“I have to say, it’s a very profitable deal!
But I also refuse this trade,” Allen Zhang immediately declined.
Darren was somewhat regretful.
But he didn’t linger in disappointment for long, quickly organized a shopping list, then brought out an order for Allen Zhang to review.
“We need to order the following replacement parts.
Although many RV parts are no longer in production, I still have ways to get them.
A friend of my father’s in the countryside has a scrapped old RV, also a GMC, although the model is different, the parts can still be interchanged.
If there is any equipment you need, you can also choose to add it yourself.”
Allen Zhang glanced at it and didn’t like much since most of it was flashy.
He wanted to replace the water supply system but found an RV solar water heater would cost at least hundreds of dollars.
“Let’s just stick with the way things are.”
Allen Zhang only changed a new toilet and bedsheet cover, and the mini-kitchen facilities didn’t need to be touched at all.
“We’ll need about 3-7 days to get it in shape.
Please leave your contact information, and I’ll notify you when it’s done,” said Darren.
Allen Zhang swiftly signed the agreement, leaving Dominic’s contact information.