Focus: Carolyn Coquillette, Prius Mechanic Extraordinaire

By John Voelcker

John Voelcker

Senior Editor BIO

John is Senior Editor for High Gear Media. In addition to news coverage and new car reviews, John creates and oversees all editorial for High Gear's... More

LATEST ARTICLE
Yes, It's Ethical To Drive A Stick Even If It Gets Lower MPG
Oh, for heaven's sakes. We're all for saving fuel by buying fuel-efficient cars, driving... Read More

• #4LEADERBOARD RANK
• 2304ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
• 1001COMMENTS POSTED

3,284 views Feb 28, 2009

Follow John

Add to circle

Prius mechanic Carolyn Coquillette photographed by Sarah Lyon

Enlarge Photo

Prius people are often pretty remarkable; we never tire of meeting them. But some of them we only know by e-mail, until they turn up in unexpected places.

Carolyn Coquillette, San Francisco garage founder and Prius mechanic extraordinaire, is one such stellar person. She runs San Francisco's Luscious Garage--the insouciance of the name alone makes us grin--and she's well known in the small community that converts Priuses to plug-in hybrids.

Not only does Luscious Garage do all standard Prius maintenance and repairs, she also offers a long list of useful modifications to meet specific needs. The garage's helpful approach is summarized in its helpful FAQ page. And, hey, how many garages do you know that blog?

What we hadn't expected was to see Ms. Coquillette featured in the 2009 Female Mechanics Calendar (she's shown for the month of June). We'd actually bought it because we have a different friend who appears in it as well. It's a full-color, 14-month wall calendar featuring women mechanics and their stories of entering this non-traditional labor role.

No, it's not the notorious Michelin calendar, but to quote photographer Sarah Lyon, who created it:

This unique and dynamic calendar includes automobile, motorcycle, hot rod, hybrid, marine, jet aircraft, bicycle, and race car mechanics. The project challenges stereotypes of the typical tool-girl, pin-up calendar by showing real women mechanics working in their shop environments.

The Female Mechanics Calendar can be ordered online from photographer Sarah Lyon for $15 plus $5 shipping. If you're interested in more background, the press release is here.

Carolyn Coquillette featured in 2009 Female Mechanics Calendar

Enlarge Photo

2009 Female Mechanics Calendar Centerfold

Enlarge Photo

[PHOTOS: Courtesy of Sarah Lyon]