RETROSPECTIVE

When a race mechanic and Formula One engine builder restored a Mayfair the result was a work of art from the father/son team.

- Martyn Morgan-Jones

Since beginning his career as a race mechanic, Jordan Godsman has certainly climbed the ranks. Quickly too. Having spent three and a half years at club level racing, he moved to Team BMR in 2017, and went on to win the British Touring Car Championship title with Ashley Sutton. In 2018, he joined Hitech GP as Number 2 mechanic. He is now Number 1, currently looking after FIA Formula 3 Red Bull Junior Team member, Jüri Vips and travelling the globe in the process.

PRACTICAL

Of course, working in motorsport, especially at the higher echelons, means that Jordan is dealing with cutting edge technology. Technology that requires the very best of skills. Well, Jordan undoubtedly possesses such skills. Some he acquired whilst at college. The others however - the practical skills in particular - were home-grown. What’s more, thanks largely to Tim, Jordan’s dad, they were honed to perfection on a Mini.

“College was fine,” recalls Jordan. “But it didn’t really provide enough in the way of practical work. Dad suggested I buy a car that we could work on together. This would not only help me develop my practical skills, I would also end up with a decent car at the end of the project. After some discussion, we decided a good choice would be a classic Mini.”

MAKING CHOICES

A good choice indeed. Except, finding a decent example, within budget, was not at all easy.

“We looked at quite a few for sale,” muses Jordan. “None were particularly good. Eventually, I spotted a 1985 Mayfair on eBay and bid on it. Unfortunately, I didn’t win. But, the seller later contacted me to say that the winning bidder dropped out. I ended up buying the Mayfair.”

“In hindsight, I should have gone to inspect the car. Although it looked reasonable, we found serious rust issues, lots of filler and bodged repairs.”