�t�s not the easiest o� places to find, an industrial unit in an encla�e in the �ard behind the Specialist Concept Store, a specialist bike centre on �ambridge Road in Newbur�, but behind the modest looking �ront door o� number 1�b lies a comple� o� workshop rooms and stores that is literall� crammed to the limit with engine building �acilities and e�uipment.
At first sight, Grace Engine De�elopments might seem an unusual name �or a specialist engine rebuilder but, as proprietor �ames Goldstraw e�plains, there�s an e�uall� unusual reason �or it. �t�s not the name o� a mother or wi�e, as �ou might suspect, but the result o� a graphic designer�s somewhat erroneous use o� t�pograph�.
�he original name chosen �or the compan� was Goldstraw Race Engine De�elopments but the original logot�pe design used a large capital G with the rest o� the surname along the top o� the word �race�, but in a colour scheme that was barel� distinguishable �rom the background colour.
All the customers discerned when the� saw the logot�pe was the combination o� �G� and �race� and most were phoning up and asking �or �Grace� Engine De�elopments. So �uickl� did the compan� become well known as such, mostl� as a result o� its �astgrowing good reputation, that �ames simpl� ga�e up tr�ing to e�plain and adopted the name as it was, rather than tr� to change it. Now when he�s asked
where Grace came �rom he replies Goldstraw Race And Classic Engines.
�he business has been based here in Newbur� �or just o�er 10 �ears, ha�ing mo�ed �rom a pre�ious � much smaller � unit in Swallowfield, and be�ore that �ames had been working out o� a shed at his house. �ike man� in the engineering business, he�d originall� become in�ol�ed in the automoti�e scene thanks to the enthusiasm o� a �amil� member, his step�ather, who was a keen stock car racer and �ames grew up surrounded b� car culture and engine parts, racing on Short ��al and now competing in the �ickup �ruck racing championship which we�ll get on to shortl�.... P
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