W. J. Bassett Mobile Auto Repair- Springdale Utah

Last Month I decided to purchase a 1983 Toyota Landcruiser and was able to find one in Salt Lake City Utah. The car was physically in not the best shape and the engine was strong. My plan was to stop in Zion National Park and hike for a few days to break up the long 13 hour drive to San Diego. The car started having problems an hour outside Salt Lake City and what should of taken 2 hours took 5. About 1 hour from Zion I realized the problem and with little mechanical skills I fixed it and sped on to my hotel, the Best Western Zion, in matter of minutes.

After a few days of hiking it was time to start up the car and make my way back to San Diego. I went to start the car and sure enough it would not start. With my limited experience with cars but quick learning from having driven the car for 5 hours I could tell it was fuel related. I asked the front desk if they knew of a mechanic that was around on a Saturday. The quickly said W.J. Bassett was the man. He called me 10 minutes after I called him and he said he would be right over.

I could hear his car from a mile away. This was one of the most amazing mountain/4×4 vehicle imaginable. Big and Yellow with 600hp of engine. He turned out to be one of the most interesting people I have come across in a long time. He has spent the last 30 years putting this van together. He found it behind a wall in Costa Mesa California in the 70’s. Everything on this thing is put together with care and love. Huge tires, linex on the floor on the inside and an engine with 600hp. This thing could pull anything out of anywhere. We sat and chatted for quite a while as he figured out that my carburetor was bad. He sprayed some starting fluid down there and said you should make it home fine but it needs to be rebuilt. This conversation and time spent with him made the trip. Super nice guy just making an honest living in a small town. If you are ever in Zion you should look him up just to see his car and have good ol conversation. I am stopping by to have a drink with him on my next adventure to Zion. He is truly Rootsyliving. W J Bassett Repair