Page 8 - Harnett Life Winter 2020

in 1995, waylaying his original plans of becoming a teacher.

“I started at Wake Tech, studying to become a biology teacher
while supporting myself by working on VWs in my garage on
the side. Previously I had worked in landscaping, cooking and
catering. I found that I like working for myself and, most of
all, with my hands,” he reflected. “The car work is what stuck.”

Despite choosing mechanics, Fraser still found a way to teach.
His students are his employees, often young and just starting
out, who benefit from the on-the-job training he offers and the
technical knowledge he imparts. His garage is a giant class-
room producing trained technicians versed in engine conver-
sions, mechanical restoration, welding, custom fabrication,
body, paint and rust repair, full-body interior restores or up-
grades and more for VW, Subaru and TDI (WV Diesel). While
Fraser previously minored successfully in vehicle repair and
restore work with WV brands — from Porsche and the Beetle
to the air-cooled bus — he has declared his major in recent
years. He and his staff at Transporter Works are a rare breed of
Volkswagen Vanagon restoration specialists, placing his enter-
prise at the top of the class. Two of Fraser’s current employees
live in Dunn, and with plans to expand his business post-COV-
ID, more employment opportunities will come.

“I really would like to hire local and maybe do an internship
or collaboration with the local schools,” he shared. “Compared Some of the crew, hard at work building one awesome rig.

Page 7 Page 8 Harnett Life ~ Winter 2020