Ahhhhh ... Grand Cayman Island. Tropical breeze, palm trees, white sandy beaches and some of the best scuba diving, snorkeling and deep sea fishing in the world. What a place to be in the automotive service business!

At first thought, whimsical mental pictures float through our minds ... "If I had my shop there, I'd close at 2 p.m. every day and spend the afternoon on a boat doing something wonderful."

A great fantasy, but in reality this quiet little Caribbean island is home to many of the world's wealthiest people, who own premium cars and want them fixed on schedule just like you big city boys.

So which of our ASA members has the miserable, wretched task of servicing European and exotic automobiles in this balmy Caribbean paradise? P>It's Mike Jackson of Auto-Craft, Ltd., a fine European and exotic auto repair shop on Grand Cayman Island, British West Indies.

Mike is a native Caymanian who was interested in mechanical things even as a kid. His interest in aircraft made him leave his home in the 1960s and he became an aircraft engineer in Jamaica, repairing light aircraft and restoring old planes.

His love of cars then took him to the United States where he spent 10 years working on and restoring exotic cars. He opened his own shop in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., before returning to Grand Cayman in 1989.

Among cars he owns are a 1965 Corvette, prototype BMW Z-1, Mercedes, Jaguar XKE, and a hot rod Jeep. Each one is in incredible condition and car show ready.

On the business side, Jackson runs a tight ship. A semiperfectionist, Jackson doesn't let any car go out the door unless it is done right. To listen to him at the counter or on the phone with customers there is no doubt that he knows exactly what he is doing and treats customers with respect and cares greatly about his work.

Starting his own shop (in the current location), Jackson specializes in European, exotic and special interest cars including Jaguar, Volvo, Mercedes, BMW, SAAB, Rolls Royce, Alfa, Porsche, Bentley TVR and Asian luxury cars. He also works on an occasional restoration and is an avid car collector.

Even with many competitors on Grand Cayman, Auto-Craft has distinguished itself as the only Bosch authorized shop on the island. In addition, Mike is a member of The Society of Automotive Engineers, The Mobile Air Conditioning Society as well as an ASA member.

Auto-Craft is also a family business. Jackson's wife, Clincie, (also a native Caymanian) answers the phones and handles the office and administrative functions. Son Chris, who is a graduate of Tampa Tech in Florida, came back home to join "mom and dad" in the business. He has started and runs the detailing operation as well as the parts department.

The biggest problems with having an auto service business on an island? Finding top-quality technicians, an import duty of up to 25 percent on parts and imported cars and not having other ASA professionals to talk to. Other that that, life is good.

The next time you get to the Cayman Islands, give Jackson a call at (345) 949-2046. He'd love to hear from you.

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