Old Beginnings
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Transit
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OLD BEGINNINGS
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Words by Luc Hinson
Photography by Luc Hinson
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This article first appeared in Issue 001 of Between Borders, available to purchase here.
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Tucked away behind an unassuming garage door in leafy Leamington Spa is a workshop, studio and event space that goes by the name of Old Beginnings. This painstakingly designed and maintained lock-up belongs to an eminent face of the classic car community. But Nathaniel’s hair is far from greying, and his hands are unblemished by liver spots. His appreciation for classic cars comes not from a nostalgic desire for the engineering of yesteryear, but instead, it’s rooted in his blood and being.
Old Beginnings acts as a community hub, a place where an appreciation for a DIY mindset is valued far greater than the horsepower of your car. Nathaniel, the man behind Old Beginnings speaks softly, but with a passion for cars and car culture that comes straight from the heart. It’s a love that was handed down through the family ranks -both his grandfather and father before him were avid petrolheads and engine oil is in the blood. His collection of cars extends well into the double digits and includes BMW M535Is, MK2 VW Golfs, a Mercedes W123 and a T25 VW Campervan but with Nathaniel, every purchase is methodically planned and meticulously thought out. Acknowledging his working-class roots, these cars aren’t the product of a compulsive hoarder, but instead investment for his two sons. That they might grow up one day, sharing the same love of cars that drives their dad, or if not, they’ll grow up with a head start in life, one Nathaniel wasn’t afforded.
The more time that’s spent in the space it becomes abundantly clear that community is what lies at the core of this workshop. The space acts as a glue, bringing together car enthusiasts, up-and-coming musicians and artists from across the West Midlands. It’s a vessel for the region’s creativity to thrive, offering space and resources to those striving to succeed. But the ever-present scent of oil that lingers in the air serves as a reminder of its primary function. aWhilst exhibitions and music videos draw crowds to the workshop, the shimmering E28 that reflects light like the surface of an unbroken reservoir serves as the main attraction. Countless hours have been poured into its maintenance and modification, with the principal overhead being Nathaniel’s own time.
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"IF YOU ARE A CAR LOVER WHY SHOULD YOU DRIVE SOMETHING THAT ANYONE ELSE CAN DRIVE?"
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The DIY mindset that encompasses Old Beginnings is not a choice, it comes directly from the working class roots of the space and its proprietor. These cars aren’t vanity projects that chequebooks are thrown at. These are the product of late-night sessions spent trawling through the backwaters of eBay. They’re projects, Nathaniel tells me, you have to work on yourself as outsourcing work comes with extra, unneeded costs. By working on a car yourself you can save money but you imprint your identity firmly onto the car, it becomes an extension of yourself. Around this DIY attitude a community naturally builds., There’s a camaraderie in sharing tips and knowledge, there’s a willingness to help, both online through forums and offline in real communities like Old Beginnings. People are willing to open up and advise, regardless of background, faith or class, bonded together by a shared love and appreciation of cars.
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"IF YOU ARE A YOUNG LAD FROM A DEPRIVED BACKGROUND THAT CAR MEANS FUCKING EVERYTHING TO YOU. THAT CAR IS WHAT TAKES YOUR MUM SHOPPING, THAT CAR BRINGS FOOD ONTO YOUR TABLE, THAT CAR TAKES YOU OUT OF YOUR AREA, IT LETS YOU ESCAPE."
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Having spent his formative years in Hillfields, Coventry, Nathaniel knows all too well the reality of life in inner-cities. The role cars play in working-class communities cannot be overstated, they shift and morph to fit whatever is required from them on any given day.
He speaks frankly of the reality of life in the inner cities of the West Midlands, in these deprived communities, cars mean more to their owners than a means of transport. They act as a form of escapism, a means to physically and mentally travel away, albeit momentarily, from the realities of daily life. They bring people together and allow like minded individuals to find acceptance and understanding irrespective of your skin colour, bank balance or religious beliefs. Cars fundamentally bring people together, they facilitate journeys and allow travel between places and communities. In doing so, they build their own communities of devoted, passionate individuals, for whom cars are a form of self-expression, a physical manifestation of their own identity, and a means to escape from the reality of day to day life.
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"IT'S JUST THAT KIND OF LOVE WHERE IT’S SOMETHING TO DREAM ABOUT, A FORM OF ESCAPISM SOMETHING TO TAKE YOU SOMEWHERE ELSE."
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There’s an authenticity that exudes from Nathaniel, he does what he does because he loves it. He buys the cars he buys not because they’re cool or flashy but because he loves them. He’s not aiming to please anyone other than himself, and he’s not looking for acceptance. Whilst cars are a central focus, Old Beginnings is far from one dimensional. It’s about more than just car culture. Through their T-shirts and merchandise, there is a commitment to showing what made England what it is today.He often gets followers expecting to see nothing but E28s, asking him “why are you showing me images of black people rioting?” But those histories are an integral part of Old Beginnings’ genetics, a look back at what made Britain great. It’s an uncensored look back into the past and a celebration of working-class culture. His following is comprised of a mixture of people, a network that both supports his passion for cars, and appreciates what Nathaniel brings to the table. At Old Beginnings there’s a dedication to depicting the reality of life in England, but also to nurturing the next generation. With his close ties to the community that raised him, a percentage from each of their sales goes to supporting local youth centers across the West Midlands, in an effort to give back to those most in need.
The community he’s forged, one that regularly comes together at meets across the region, is built off of genuine, personal connections. In an era dominated by digital disconnection there’s a real, tangible and thriving car culture in the West Midlands, driven in part by Old Beginnings. There’s a network of individuals ready to help out, to share tips on where to get rare parts and fit them yourself, there’s a shared love of fibreglass body kits and 17 inch rims but above all there’s a commitment to championing working-class values and self-expression.
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READ MORE
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CONTEMPORARY CONVERSATIONS
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