Thread: Checking in from Jacksonville FL

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Hi everyone,

Finally biting the bullet and realizing that I need to start soon on the dream.

Been working on cars / motorcycles now for 29 years - not always as active, but always interested - you know how lean those school and the early years of having kids suck away all your fun money and time.

First car was a 1965 Malibu SS - three years to restore / customize when I was 18. New half quarters, 1970 LT1, 12 bolt posi - parts trips to the local GM dealer because they still had parts available in 1981.

Also had a 64 Acadian Beaumont (that's a Canadian Chevelle) and a 1969 El Camino during these early years.

My dad bought a 67 Camaro SS350 in 1985 that we sourced out all kinds of options for and converted into a RS/SS350 - fold down seat/guage package, proper front and rear valances for the RS.

Back then my buddies had Darts, RoadRunners, Challengers, Nova, V8 Vegas and Chevelles.

Messed around with a TR7 for a couple of years with the typical Lucas issues.

Completely (COMPLETELY) tore apart a 79 Honda SuperSport 750F in my wifes laundry room - rebuilt the engine and carbs, modded the frame, polished all the aluminum and a full black cherry custom repaint.

Rebuilt a 71 SuperBeetle - touched just about everything - EuroLooked it - porsche wheels, dual webers, full urethane suspension, widened fiberglass fenders.

My Dad lost the Camaro in a flood and replace it with a completely original 68 RS/SS 396 convertible. Done the maintenance on that for a while now...

Currently just finished a 71 914 Porsche. Full resto - engine/body/suspension. First car I ever painted myself. Turned out pretty nice. Knew that about half way through I made a mistake and should have just started the rod.

All my cars are daily drivers. Nothing for a garage. If I can't drive it, I don't want it.

I'm planning on locating a starting point sometime in the next year. My ideal is an early 30's Chevy pickup or coupe. Low, loud and different. I've admired the RatRod look, but I think I need something a little more practical. Definitly a hotrod, but something practical and dependable. A/C is a must and water tight here in FL.

I'd like to channel it, chop it and probably run full fendered (not completed finalized...) Power would either be a SBC or maybe a quadded, headered straight six Chevy - manual or auto..depends what I can find. I like the look of the full artillery wheel or other early wheel. Little or no billet.

Of course if I can find someone else's project, I'd pickup up that too....Or an older resto... Buick, Pontiac, GMC, International or other might work too. Anything but a blue oval -sorry not my thing.

Anyway, other than that, married with two kids. I'm a computer geek at the local utility company - work with Oracle, Java, XML and stuff. Actually trained as a mechanic too - have my apprentice papers. I like to weld - I'm sort of the neighborhood Mr. FixIt. I have a Miller Mig135 and an Arco 220V arc. Done quite a bit of oxy/ac but don't have the tanks right now... I've got lots of tools and always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need.


Good to find you....hope I can add some value....

Originally Posted by JaxChevy

Hi everyone,

Finally biting the bullet and realizing that I need to start soon on the dream.

Been working on cars / motorcycles now for 29 years - not always as active, but always interested - you know how lean those school and the early years of having kids suck away all your fun money and time.

First car was a 1965 Malibu SS - three years to restore / customize when I was 18. New half quarters, 1970 LT1, 12 bolt posi - parts trips to the local GM dealer because they still had parts available in 1981.

Also had a 64 Acadian Beaumont (that's a Canadian Chevelle) and a 1969 El Camino during these early years.

My dad bought a 67 Camaro SS350 in 1985 that we sourced out all kinds of options for and converted into a RS/SS350 - fold down seat/guage package, proper front and rear valances for the RS.

Back then my buddies had Darts, RoadRunners, Challengers, Nova, V8 Vegas and Chevelles.

Messed around with a TR7 for a couple of years with the typical Lucas issues.

Completely (COMPLETELY) tore apart a 79 Honda SuperSport 750F in my wifes laundry room - rebuilt the engine and carbs, modded the frame, polished all the aluminum and a full black cherry custom repaint.

Rebuilt a 71 SuperBeetle - touched just about everything - EuroLooked it - porsche wheels, dual webers, full urethane suspension, widened fiberglass fenders.

My Dad lost the Camaro in a flood and replace it with a completely original 68 RS/SS 396 convertible. Done the maintenance on that for a while now...

Currently just finished a 71 914 Porsche. Full resto - engine/body/suspension. First car I ever painted myself. Turned out pretty nice. Knew that about half way through I made a mistake and should have just started the rod.

All my cars are daily drivers. Nothing for a garage. If I can't drive it, I don't want it.

I'm planning on locating a starting point sometime in the next year. My ideal is an early 30's Chevy pickup or coupe. Low, loud and different. I've admired the RatRod look, but I think I need something a little more practical. Definitly a hotrod, but something practical and dependable. A/C is a must and water tight here in FL.

I'd like to channel it, chop it and probably run full fendered (not completed finalized...) Power would either be a SBC or maybe a quadded, headered straight six Chevy - manual or auto..depends what I can find. I like the look of the full artillery wheel or other early wheel. Little or no billet.

Of course if I can find someone else's project, I'd pickup up that too....Or an older resto... Buick, Pontiac, GMC, International or other might work too. Anything but a blue oval -sorry not my thing.

Anyway, other than that, married with two kids. I'm a computer geek at the local utility company - work with Oracle, Java, XML and stuff. Actually trained as a mechanic too - have my apprentice papers. I like to weld - I'm sort of the neighborhood Mr. FixIt. I have a Miller Mig135 and an Arco 220V arc. Done quite a bit of oxy/ac but don't have the tanks right now... I've got lots of tools and always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need.


Good to find you....hope I can add some value....

Welcome.
Sounds like you have had your far share of projects over the years.

Welcome to the site, theres a lot of hot rodders here with a ton of knowledge
im sure you`ll like it, post sum pics if ya got any

Every time I see Jacksonville in print, I'm reminded of a gent I encountered some 40 years ago in a bar. I'm not sure why, but it stuck with me all these years. He busted into the bar all smiles and declared in a booming voice.....
HEY Y'ALL, I'M BIG-ASSED BILL FROM JACKSONVILLE.

Welcome to the forum from another Floridian.

Don

All right! another guy from jacksonville! Welcome to the site, lots of fun and good times around this place! Since your in town, you need to hook up with the rest of us from around here.

welcome from another Jaxer (orange park)

Welcome to CHR from a part time Floridian; one day to be a full time Floridian. Lucky you, I only get to be there periodically. Hope you enjoy it here. Post some pix of your ride when you get a chance.

Welcome, and love that u are considering a chevy. I have just about got my 31 2DR done just needs motor ,wiring and int. Ther are plenty of us out here that are into 30's bowties. U can get lots of help at the VCCA website. Just keep the fact u r a rodder a secret if u can.
Keep checking ebay for a projact. Have seen many there in the last year that would do. You can get most anything for them. Good Luck.
P.S. I will be in JAX 1st 2 wks. in April .If u know of any rod events there let me know and will try to make it.

The Daytona Spring swap meet is the last weekend in March - if you are near, you should check it out..