CITIZEN GRAINGER

With many different labels and occupations, David Grainger’s successes and experiences make him a citizen of the world

- Rick Muller

Perhaps the second question we ask when meeting someone at a cocktail party is the cursory, “What do you do for a living?” while you wonder when those good hors d’oeuvres are coming around again. This question usually solicits a one-word response, such as perhaps “doctor” or “lawyer” or “accountant.”

Not so if you are fortunate enough to run into David Grainger. In fact, refresh your drink and plant yourself, as you’re going to be there quite a while enjoying a fascinating conversation.

Writer, producer, TV host, animal advocate, environmentalist, artist, world traveller, pilot, boat racer and car restorer — and these just scratch the surface of Grainger’s incredible life. To that we might add adventurer, raconteur, nomad, eccentric, bon vivant and rebel to this colourful, larger-thanlife personality. True, astronaut, brain surgeon and Nobel Laureate are missing, but don’t bet against him.

“I don’t really describe myself and am enjoying life as much as I can,” says Grainger. “I just think I’m me. I really don’t like to join the herd. When I was a hippie, I never called myself a hippie. I have rebellious thoughts, but don’t see myself that way. I’m just not easy to drop into any one hole.”

You may know Grainger as the host of the successful television show Restoration Garage, now in its sixth season and shown worldwide on various channels. That was a result of his work as owner of The Guild of Automotive Restorers in Bradford, Ont., located about a half hour north of Toronto, which he founded 25 years ago and has become a world leader in the art of restoring and maintaining all types of classic, antique and exotic automobiles. TV hosting and business ownership were consuming him the last time we spoke with him in 2013 and that activity has only increased.