My old man is responsible for my demise. I read Streets' story and it almost sounded like the one the old man use to tell me about from time to time. Makes me feel like I was born 40 years too late.
Anyhow, I use to hang with the old man out in the shop since I was able to walk. I was the one loosings his tools in the begining and later on became the one handing them to him as he built his '32 Duece, '33 Plymouth, '34 Plymouth, '66 Fairlane, '67 Cougar, and on and on and on..... MY first car I actually rejected. The old man bought me a '63 Fairlane Sports coupe. It was the very first small block ford engine I tore out and re-gasketed and re-installed. I think I was 13 not quite 14 yet. For some stupid reason I didn't like the car (i kick myself in the ass now) so instead I spot a stripped down bare nothing rolling chassis of a '67 Ranchero and just had to have it. Luckily the old man was into Fairlanes at the time so I had a little bit of a stash to work with and guides as to how int h hell to put it together. It was my first actual car I restored and I still have it today. (needing another resto as I was a bit hard on it in my HS days) I started on it the summer I turned 14 and was driving it 2 months after I got my driver's license when I turned 16. Had to haul arounf 80-100 papers since I was 12 to afford that thing, but it was sure worth every penny of it! The 2nd engine in that same Ranchero, I built/assembled all myself and did my first hardcore parts swaps. I think I was 17 at that time. Uh... first carb rebuilt was a Holley and it leaked like a waterfall. (need gaskets behind bowl screws??? huh??) That was when i was 16. Started doing my own, unassisted, body work When I was 17 after I got into an altercation with my Ranchero.
When i was in the Military, I was the only guy on the Post (was a couple others but only one my age) that people trusted me with their classic cars. Here I was tuning up 60's mustangs, a camaro, a '55 Chevy and a couple serious Mopars of base commanders, officers, and Senior NCO's.
My wife leaves me and my cars alone and my 2 yr old son is out in the garage loosing my tools just as I did when i was his age..... I think we've started a family mold!
And lately, I'm about to embark on my first Streetrod.... moving up the ol' skill level a notch!