Conclusion (and Personal Info)

This acts as a general summary of everything - it also includes personal info about me. It's kindof like an impartial way of presenting an overview of the whole site. If you want the detail, you'll need to read the other pages first!

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Alexander Graham Shepherd

Born 4 January 1980, Hamilton, New Zealand

Height 183cm (6') Weight 60kg (132lb)

Strengths: Reading/Writing, Experimentation, Attention to Detail ('Perfectionist'), Innovation, 'Pursuit' fitness (running, cycling, skiing etc.), Arranging Events (making things happen, 'manipulating others'.)

Weaknesses: Mathematics, Lateral/Logical Thinking, Specialisation, Team Sports, Swimming, Defining Target Conditions

Now you know a little about me, we can move on...

I've always enjoyed pulling things to pieces and finding out what makes them work. Then I like to at least think about how they might be better.

Currently I'm in Year 2 of a Physics/Electronics BSc(Tech) degree at Waikato University. It's going pretty badly at the moment. The mathematics are letting me down and there's that sinking feeling as you realise just how little of the lecture you actually understood. Still, the labs are OK (relevant, interesting) so it's a question of battling on so I have a qualification to back-up my interest in electronic engineering.

I suppose the interest in 'old cars' came from my father, an ex-aircraft engineer, and our long association with one car, the Fiat 128 (you may have guessed from the pictures...) Dad was the epitomy of an all-rounder; after his death in 1997 I realised just how many things he had taken on board; maintaining the Fiat(s) - the second is a 128 Coupe I drove for a short period - was the first item I undertook - just over a year ago we also moved house and I have various electrical projects waiting for that.

The 128 Coupe turned out to be somewhat unpredictable due to shaky maintenance in recent years, accordingly it's been out of action for over a year. I had been given an Austin Princess - don't really know what my Dad would've thought, probably not over-excited but would have been interested - this was so different and being kindly offered by Lauren Bruce, a student also on vocal group tour in 1997, who has since gone on to greater things, winning top prizes and becoming head girl in 1999 (1997 picture - hope Lauren doesn't mind!) was difficult to refuse as a project. One thing led to another - eventually a second Princess was obtained, the final car is an amalgam of all three, representing over a year of 'free time' work and probably several thousand dollars.

This being easily the largest personal project to date, it's been given almost a complete web site. Why have I done it? Because it is mine, truly mine, refined, improved, rejuvenated... Why not buy a new car? Because this was more involving, more unique, a learning experience... Why choose the Princess? Because it was different to my past experience, it was technically impressive, it was cheap to obtain parts... Has it been worth it? Yes, but I would never do the exact same thing again...

Ultimately I have learnt a lot, spent a lot, amused, perplexed and called upon others; proved that it is possible to extend a car (or any other device) beyond its intended use, and that if you can think through it, you can do it!

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