AUTOBRASS – A FAMILY BUSINESS
Autobrass is very much a family business and in the years since its inception the family have always worked together as a team. Sue has always maintained the office, and even the children, when small, helped in their own way. There was a magazine article in 1991 showing photographic proof of Daley, at 7 years old, curing the rubber for glazing purposes!
However both children have qualifications beyond the interest of Autobrass, which is in their own personal profiles. Despite working elsewhere both still attend – and help – at some of the shows, especially Stoneleigh, as it is the biggest and, of course, our local one, Exeter.
Dave's (Automotive) Work History
Dave first automotive job was when he went to work for E.D.ABBOTT , in Farnham, Surrey. He was employed there for 5 years. This was where the average Ford Saloon was adapted to become a super deluxe estate car.
Another employer later was DENNIS , where he was occupied for about a year or so. This, however, was not quite the calling he was looking for, so he took a break from the motor industry for a while.
When he resumed his love affair with cars he then took a placement at PANTHER CARS . This was where he learned the technique of forming brass into the shape of windscreens, although these were flat screens. The models he made the screens for were the J72, DeVille and Lima (this later became the Kallistra, which is frequently mistaken for a kit car, much to the disgust of their owners, how creepy is that!).
When Panther downsized Dave then worked for CP AUTOKRAFT . This was at the time when they were owned by Brian Angliss, who produced the cobra as we know it now. Dave's brassworking skills were developed to produce the double curve necessary for the cobra.
In 1987 Dave decided to relocate to the West Country, where he created Autobrass . He researched the kit car industry and discovered an opening in the field of windscreen manufacture. With the cobra car being the most replicated car in the world, and over 10 manufacturers in the country during since inception, (there are still about 6 going strong), many others in America and now South Africa, Australia and even Japan!
In 1994 Dave started attending kit car shows, due to the persuasion of John Cooke, European Promotions. This became a great boost to raising the profile of Autobrass, and Dave now attends most of the regular kit car shows during the season, see our calendar for details of the ones he will be attending this year.
Daley
On leaving secondary school, and after a gap year, Daley attended Duchy College to train as an AAI (Adventurous Activities Instructor). He claims this well qualifies him to work alongside Dave, every day in the workshop is an adventure! He is employed elsewhere, on a semi casual basis, but always works at least 2 days with his father. This camaraderie between the two extends to a joint hobby of classic trialling, where Daley is navigator for Dave – not bad for someone with dyslexia.
Being of the younger generation Daley understands metrication and ‘happily' explains it to Dave, on a regular basis. Daley undertakes the ‘SVAing' of the windscreen and has progressed to manufacturing many parts of the ‘special' screens like the Jaguar XK120, Bentley look-alikes, and recently the Troll (a trials car)
Sue
Recently Sue qualified at Foundation Degree level in Business, so now apparently understands the whys and wherefores of the business, like she didn't before! Whereas she used to run the whole office since Hanna graduated she has handed over the reins of the financial side to her, Sue deals with correspondence, stock, show details etc. and the telephone. Her other main duty is tea making, which she has become expert at.
Hanna
After attending Duchy College where she was Student of the Year both years for Equine Business Management, Hanna went on to study Accountancy and Finance at Exeter University, passing with a 2:1 – hence Sue handing over this role to her. Hanna now undertakes the full book-keeping and accountants position within Autobrass and also with other small local businesses.
Her other loves are her horse, Pharey, (see how Equine Business Management fits in?) and sport, especially Tae Kwon Do – where she has attained a 2nd Dan Black Belt, so far. No problem with credit control for Autobrass then!
