In another thread, a couple members mentioned their earliest efforts related to hot rodding. Seems like it would be fun for the "boomers" to talk about the "old days", and maybe some newcomers will see a little of themselves in these tales. Don't stretch the truth tooooo far. :-)

I'll start it off:

In '58 I discovered hot rod magazines through a friend, (at the age of 10), and switched from building military models, to car models.

Custom painted my bicycles, and started attending the nearby U.S. Nationals in '62.

First car, a '53 Chevy, at 15, and I immediately rebuilt the engine (with Dad's help), then repainted it in Grandpa's garage at 16.

A new project every 2-3 years, cruised, street raced, and helped build a street rod, and a B/Gas Austin by 19.

Worked for the local Chevy dealer, and decided I would be a Pro drag racer someday.

Went through an endless string of Chevys and Vettes, and discovered along the way that I loved custom painting.

Abandoned my race plans, and painted part time until '86, when I went full time. I've never regretted it. Now I can count hundreds of jobs in my scrap book. I gave up my own toys, since I get paid to work on an endless string of great builds!