John Barr is better known as a local businessperson than a car fanatic. In fact John doesn’t even know the make of his own van. Better still, on more than one occasion, he has been known to get into the wrong white van and try to start it up! (“They all look the same,” he claims) John might not know what his van looks like but he certainly hasn’t lost his edge as a trader. “I might not know any make of cars on the road but I could tell you the price of anything in 1972”. His van is a 2000 VW Caddy by the way.
John has been trading for thirty years and Barr’s shop has been open in Buncrana for 160 years. As well as clothing and flags, John also supplies a whole range of printing and embroidery items. Whether it is a corporate logo, workwear on a large scale or just a few shirts for a hen or stag night, John can supply the lot. (That’s if he can find his van!)
How long have you had the van?
Let me think….about five years now. I bought it used and as I don’t know the first thing about cars I couldn’t even tell you the registration number.
Any plans to change?
It will get replaced when it stops working.
Is it reliable?
Yes. Patrick Grant here in the town takes care of all of the servicing. He just appears and drives it to his garage then brings it back all serviced and ready to go.
Best and worst thing about the van?
The worst thing is that I have to drive it. The best is that it starts and moves when I want it too.
How often do you wash it?
I have never washed it in five years! It does get cleaned every two years. Patrick cleans it for me before it goes to get an NCT.
What was your fist car?
I had a Fiat 850 bubble car. I bought it for £25 and spent £25 putting in an engine. Putting in the new engine only took a few hours and we were out on the road the next day. It was only small but we could squeeze seven people in it! I drove it for six months until the brakes seized up (at least I think that was the problem) outside the Culdaff Arms. I had to get a lift home but not before I sold the car to someone as it sat on the street for £60. I got a Ford Escort after that but it was a nightmare. I remember it always overheated but I had to travel to Dublin every week. Poor Afke (my wife) had to get out and push many a time - much to the disapproval of the pedestrians on O’Connell Street! I must point out here that I didn’t push because Afke couldn’t drive at the time...honestly!
What would you do to help motorists given the chance?
Do away with cars and get Scotty from Star Trek to beam us where we wanted to go. I think a few good manners on the road will have to do in the mean time.
John has been trading for thirty years and Barr’s shop has been open in Buncrana for 160 years. As well as clothing and flags, John also supplies a whole range of printing and embroidery items. Whether it is a corporate logo, workwear on a large scale or just a few shirts for a hen or stag night, John can supply the lot. (That’s if he can find his van!)
How long have you had the van?
Let me think….about five years now. I bought it used and as I don’t know the first thing about cars I couldn’t even tell you the registration number.
Any plans to change?
It will get replaced when it stops working.
Is it reliable?
Yes. Patrick Grant here in the town takes care of all of the servicing. He just appears and drives it to his garage then brings it back all serviced and ready to go.
Best and worst thing about the van?
The worst thing is that I have to drive it. The best is that it starts and moves when I want it too.
How often do you wash it?
I have never washed it in five years! It does get cleaned every two years. Patrick cleans it for me before it goes to get an NCT.
What was your fist car?
I had a Fiat 850 bubble car. I bought it for £25 and spent £25 putting in an engine. Putting in the new engine only took a few hours and we were out on the road the next day. It was only small but we could squeeze seven people in it! I drove it for six months until the brakes seized up (at least I think that was the problem) outside the Culdaff Arms. I had to get a lift home but not before I sold the car to someone as it sat on the street for £60. I got a Ford Escort after that but it was a nightmare. I remember it always overheated but I had to travel to Dublin every week. Poor Afke (my wife) had to get out and push many a time - much to the disapproval of the pedestrians on O’Connell Street! I must point out here that I didn’t push because Afke couldn’t drive at the time...honestly!
What would you do to help motorists given the chance?
Do away with cars and get Scotty from Star Trek to beam us where we wanted to go. I think a few good manners on the road will have to do in the mean time.
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