I work on my own cars, too. In my youth, my favorite teacher (vo/tech) was descended from pre-Soviet Russians. Great man.
My dad hated working on cars. he’d give a book and say read it while he drank beer and watched to make sure I did not get hurt.
I’m probably the only 9 year old that ever changed a starter in a 1959 TBird.
I’m not Russian. Polish Jew. Catholic church keeps good birth records. How my great Grandfather got into the Imperial Russian Army, I have no idea.
BTW his MOS was Carpenter.
I still have an example of his work, a desk for his daughter.
My Grand mother.