So HOTRODDADDY, who do I make the check payable to?

While your compliments are really nice to hear, I know my limitations only too well. Some golfers hit the ball pretty well, and then there are the Tigre Woods of the world. I'm the guy who carries their clubs. That is why I build simple, basic rods. They don't take too much imagination.

The Chip Fooses of this world (and to a lesser degree, my Son Dan) have some gift that goes beyond just being a good rod builder. They "see" things that most of us overlook. Like I have said, when I see my kid sitting staring at something I have built on the T, I know some revelation is coming. So I will say "Ok, what don't you like?" At first he won't say anything, but finally will offer, " well, if you did this like that, it would fit better and flow more smoothly" or something like that. After I relook at what he is talking about I have to usually admit "d*** he is right."

I worked at a body shop as a Production Manager for a while, and we had some very top notch body techs there. But the owner could walk by a car while we were talking and say "have Bill go back over those bolts on the bottom of the fender, they need touched up." No one knew how the heck he could see things everybody else missed, but he did. Chip seems to have that knack also.

In watching Chip on various shows, it is apparent the crew who works on the cars have a deep respect for Chip's abilities, and he seems to be the polar opposite of Boyd who goes through people like kleenex. I've never met Chip, but bet he is not much different than what you see on TV.

Don