Terrific responses so far, and Bob I will read the thread you linked in sometime today. I want to add a little color into why I ask this.

Although my hands and arms seem to constantly get skinned when I work, I am by no means a fabricator . That said, I recently finished "assembly" of an aluminum Cobra replica and when I first got it, I thought I would have a "pro" cut the holes in the fenders for the sidepipes, and weld up the exhaust. I thought, why the heck don't I just spend the money on the tools I need and do it myself. I both cut the exhaust holes out in some damn pricey aluminum, and I also welded up the exhaust. I can now stand back and be darn proud of both those things.

My real driver behind this thread is that I am very interested in becoming part of a business that specializes in building hi-po Ford motors and now starting to branch out in 50s era Hemis. My concern is, am I basically building my next career on something akin to the next "buggy whip" business. In my mind, there will always be a demand for engine rebuilds, and once you know how to machine a motor and assemble one. My thoughts are that should market driver dictate the need to switch to building another type (Ricer motors as a worst case ), you have to learn the intricies of each one, but the root talent is the same and will always be needed.

I do have hope, even though people like Jesse may have "sold out" that these shows are the spark for the next generation to get into what we love and do.