Allan's Vehicle Services

[Ian]

Legendary Plymouth based specialist Bongo mechanic Allan Bugg has been in touch to tell me that he is closing his business at the end of October. This is because his landlord wants to redevelop the land and there are no affordable or suitable workshops/premises in the area for Allan to relocate to.

Allan has been working on Bongos since before Bongo Fury existed, over 20 years. He has built a solid reputation both for the quality of his work and excellent customer service. He will be sadly missed but it is now time to hang up his spanners.

Plymouth customers could try PGS (Plymouth Garage Services) or Mayflower Auto Services. Both are experienced on Bongos and many other makes.

All the best Allan.

[Bob]

Oh goodness.

Obviously we wish Allan and Lorna all the very best, and, crikey, we'll miss them.

He's looked after our Ferdinand de Bongo for a good long time, and done a brilliant job for us.

[Muzorewa]

Sad news, Allan is a top bloke. In 2011 we were on our inaugural tour of Cornwall (haven’t been back yet…) and we suddenly needed front discs & pads (should have been a bit more thorough on the pre-tour checks). Allan’s was closed for refurbishment or some major works but he opened up and sorted Bongy for us – What more could you ask for!

[Stew71]

Ah, I came here to officially bow out of Bongo world (for now*) and saw this - it's relevant because after buying our 1997 2.5D AFT model in 2009, we took it to Allan's and he kept up the servicing for the next few years. (He replaced all the coolant hoses at that initial service, pointing out that they looked as if they could fail at any moment; not something that the importer/sellers had taken account of). He was always up for giving sound advice - what to worry about, and what not to. Always felt like our vehicle was in really good hands, I'm sorry for the community that Allan's losing his workspace.

So, thanks Allan, much appreciated. I found one of your stickers last night in the paperwork too.

*after 14 years our van has finally given up the ghost - now needs too much welding to make it worthwhile. Plus the electrics are doing more & more weird stuff over time. Should've taken the (smaller) hit 3-4 years ago and it might still be viable, but there we go. I was clearing it out this morning and I'm actually feeling pretty sad about it.

(I have a feeling I'll keep scouring the 'for sale' ads here. Maybe a tintop with an aftermarket mushroom roof or something...? We'll see...)

[Jillygumbo]

I was so sorry to hear this news, and got the full story from Allan on my regular visit on 27/09/2023 for service/mot. All the very best to Allan and Laura for the future. You will both be sadly missed.

[BongoBongo123]

That is not good news at all, he did a great job when we needed a new head. Fewer expert repair people is not a good thing. I feel quite sad about it really. Things changing are rarely good as you start stacking up the years.

[g8dhe]

Indeed, but its nice to retire and actually get to spend your time doing what you want, it doesn't mean you have to give up the "work" nothing stops you giving advice and guiding people, without the hassle of doing it yourself

Main thing is keep on doing what you enjoy and if possible do twice as much of it

Enjoy Allan and keep doing what like best!

[Doone]

It is very nice to retire. Though it's emotional, as many customers have been worried about losing a Plymouth Bongo garage that they trust. So we have recommended a couple.
I expect Allan will be still be on the Bongo groups. His Bongo life has been foot to the floor for so many years, so putting it in 'park' will be lovely.

[Windstille]

Never been to Allan's Vehicle Services but his factsheets online have been enormously helpful to me, usually coming up whilst searching on google. Some of the information was elsewhere in the members area but still helpful getting a second opinion on it. Some of the factsheet links still exist on google, eg https://www.allansvehicleservices.co.uk ... +Check.pdf, however the website is no longer hosted so returns a 404 error.

I was wondering if the factsheets might be hosted somewhere else or if it were possible to add them the members area?
Always glad to hear when someone manages to retire, but keen not to lose their valuable knowledge!

[g8dhe]

Lorna if the pair of you want I could probably link them into my site if you wanted them to be retained ?

[Doone]

Long story short, they may be lost forever. But we're working on it and staying hopeful.

[Doone]

Long story short, they may be lost forever. But we're working on it and staying hopeful.

[g8dhe]

Your on the waybackmachine https://web.archive.org/web/20231210233 ... ces.co.uk/ so most bits can be dowloaded if you want them ? All the Bongo tips look to be backed up https://web.archive.org/web/20231211003 ... ongo-tips/