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02-19-2008 03:26 PM #1
Checking in from Jacksonville FL
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....
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