Thread: New Member from Southern Indiana

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I am building a custom car where the only thing original left is the sheetmetal (mostly).

Project:
1963 VW Notchback: the body of the car will not be modified much. I want to leave the body as stock looking as possible.
Custom tube frame
Big wheels in the back
Mustang II front suspension
Small block Chevy motor with blower

The only problem?
I work full time, my wife is back in school, I have nine kids, a small garage, limited knowledge, limited disposable income and a neighbor that complains if I don't get my leaves raked up in the amount of time he thinks it should take.

But I have a dream...
I have a dream of cruising around and meeting with you guys at shows all over the midwest. I have a dream of owning a street car that will pull the front wheels off of the ground. I have a dream of driving a car with a flame paint job. I dream of building something with my hands, with the help of my son, that I can be proud of.

I am hoping that through posting my progress on the car I can get ideas from you. I covet your input. I have been reading some posts and it's immediately apparent that there is a lot of knowledge being shared on this forum. If anyone has any input for me, I surely would appreciate it. My knowledge is limited and therefore my progress is slow because I don't to make a horrible mistake. I will start a new thread showing the progress of the car so far. I look forward to discussing my project as well as yours.

Ralph

Welcome to the forum. Nine Kids?????? Looks like you already have discovered one hobby!

The obstacles you mention (funds, knowledge, etc) sound very familiar. Most of us are, or were there at one time. When you have other prioritys for your time and money you have to be creative to handle those and still pursue building your dream. Took me 6 years to build mine, but was worth the wait in the end.

You will get there.

Don

Welcome Ralph, a wife and nine kids, I don`t know how you had time to post this,, these guys ( and Barb ) are a wealth of info, and would more that happy to help you thru the build. As far as the leaves just get a bigger blower....

welcome ralph. that is a very nice car. know what you mean by the finances. times are tough.

Hey Barb, sorry for the "guys" comment. I know better. I promise I'll be more carefull.

Barb is cool, she is one of the guys.

Don

thanks v8 but it is not necessary. don knows me too well. i do not take offense so easily.

Welcome Ralph. Sounds like a great plan for a great car.

I had to search for this, but we had seen him at te Cool Sept days in Tahoe several years back, very neat ride.

Originally Posted by 406Rich

I had to search for this, but we had seen him at te Cool Sept days in Tahoe several years back, very neat ride.

Now that's hot rodding! Remember the "Dare to be Different" craze? This was my plan all along to build something that is rare...something unique. I had originally planned on going with a VW bug, but during my research I fell in love with the look of the Notchback.

I started a journal thread but it is waiting for moderation (I guess since I'm new to this forum). As soon as it's approved, I'll catch everyone up to where I'm at with the car now.

Thanks,

Welcome to CHR Ralph. That's an awesome VW. I did not know VW made a notchback. I bet the production numbers a low.
Have you been to Frog Follies?
Andy

Originally Posted by akrateffil

Welcome to CHR Ralph. That's an awesome VW. I did not know VW made a notchback. I bet the production numbers a low.
Have you been to Frog Follies?
Andy

Thanks for the welcome.

I bought my VW on Samba.com and had it delivered up from Arizona. There are not many in the nidwest that's for sure.

I never miss the Frog Follies! My car's not old enough for that show but I love the old hotrods. You'd be surprised how much you can learn by looking at the other guys' work.

This past Frog Follies was the first time for me. I can honestly say it was the best time at a car meet I ever had.
The Evansville location helps too, I am in Effingham, IL about 2 hours away. My car is too young for the event, but I am in process of building a 48 Plymouth. I hope to be driving it for the next Frog Follie event.
Andy

Originally Posted by akrateffil

This past Frog Follies was the first time for me. I can honestly say it was the best time at a car meet I ever had.
The Evansville location helps too, I am in Effingham, IL about 2 hours away. My car is too young for the event, but I am in process of building a 48 Plymouth. I hope to be driving it for the next Frog Follie event.
Andy

I hope you get it done in time. I live in Evansville. As a matter of fact, let me know next summer if you decide to come to Evansville and we can meet up and talk cars.