Goodness in Unexpected Places

In the midst of a hectic week the tail pipe on the Vanagon literally split in two, leaving the muffler hanging precariously. A bracket had also busted loose. Some time previously Lonnie had indicated that the work would require hundreds of dollars, meaning the replacement of the various exhaust pipes. Well, the hole that he had identified was still present; this was a different location.

Pete suggested I take it to a place that he visited with his car recently and was satisfied. I thought briefly, then remembered Allen's Muffler in East Durham whom I had called on a couple times over the years with other cars' needs. So I drove - very nosily - to Edgar Street off Miami Blvd.

No sooner had I turned off the engine but Linwood Allen was motioning me to pull in onto his rack. Then before I could say anything he had lifted the vehicle, moved underneath and cut the offending break. Immediately, a relative-employee moved in with a welder and light. I observed that it appeared that "you are fixing to repair" the situation. Yup, was the reply. Within about 25 minutes they had bridged the problem area with a spare/cut pipe and welded all together. Good to go, and only charged me $35. (I add that Mr. Allen also advised procedure on how he could repair the pipe where the small hole exists - without ordering all new VW parts. Sounds good to me. I'll be back. I like their no-nonsense teamwork.)

Like I said, a gift from an unexpected quarter. Thank God for people who still work conscientiously, competently and generously.

Now to help "Pedro", new Ph.D. student move his mattress...