Weld's 40 Ford pickup

[ironworks]

Zero --- and could be a subtraction....


Probably a subtraction for each car with no adjustment seats.

[GregWeld]

Probably a subtraction for each car with no adjustment seats.

Having 9' of legs is overrated..... about the same overrating as being Charley Lillard.

[Boss 5.0]

Hey Greg, I've never seen pics of the 33 coupe. Could you post up a couple?

I would appreciate it. Not in the market, but as a die hard hot rodder I would love to see the car.

Glenn

[GregWeld]

Hey Greg, I've never seen pics of the 33 coupe. Could you post up a couple?

I would appreciate it. Not in the market, but as a die hard hot rodder I would love to see the car.

Glenn



Sure!





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/33%20Coupe/IMG_7629.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/33%20Coupe/IMG_7629.jpg.html)






http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/33%20Coupe/IMG_7633.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/33%20Coupe/IMG_7633.jpg.html)





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/33%20Coupe/IMG_7632.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/33%20Coupe/IMG_7632.jpg.html)




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/33%20Coupe/IMG_7630.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/33%20Coupe/IMG_7630.jpg.html)




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/33%20Coupe/IMG_7788.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/33%20Coupe/IMG_7788.jpg.html)




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/33%20Coupe/IMG_7786.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/33%20Coupe/IMG_7786.jpg.html)





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/33%20Coupe/IMG_7785.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/33%20Coupe/IMG_7785.jpg.html)




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/33%20Coupe/IMG_7631.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/33%20Coupe/IMG_7631.jpg.html)






http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/33%20Coupe/IMG_7783.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/33%20Coupe/IMG_7783.jpg.html)





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/33%20Coupe/IMG_7777.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/33%20Coupe/IMG_7777.jpg.html)

[Boss 5.0]

WOW! she is beautiful. The underside is very well detailed.

[waynieZ]

Nice looking car!

[gofastwclass]

Stunning from every angle!

[DBasher]

Something about this car....can't quite put my finger on it.

[DOOM]

I'll take the 33 Speed !:D :captain1:

[carbuff]

Something about this car....can't quite put my finger on it.

My first thought as well... :)

[214Chevy]

I used to love that video..."She's got legs."

[rustomatic]

Now that the Greg Weld garage sale is on, I'll look forward to seeing what's next. Are we doing a 2x2 tube chassis and carbon GT-spec racer that will look like some kind of car that kind of suggests one that was sold for the street at some point in idealized American history? Some neon light tubing might be just the trick . . .:wacko:

[DBasher]

I'm hoping it has a bit of this going on...

[GregWeld]

Now that the Greg Weld garage sale is on, I'll look forward to seeing what's next. Are we doing a 2x2 tube chassis and carbon GT-spec racer that will look like some kind of car that kind of suggests one that was sold for the street at some point in idealized American history? Some neon light tubing might be just the trick . . .:wacko:




With all these new track cars being built -- The BMF CamerFord - The FalCorette - The Payton NASCAR inspired what's left of a Camaro - the Schwarz AMXexcutioner.... All I'm trying to do is stay ahead. With little, or any skills - that means it'll take more car. After all - that is the way things have gone around here... PT cars can't run with race cars - so they become more race car... then the race cars have to step up their game and so on. I'm only too happy to oblige 'em.

[GregWeld]

I'm hoping it has a bit of this going on...




THAT appears EXCEEDINGLY heavy...... Maybe think more of a Lotus inspired '65 Mustang... with attitude. LOL

[DBasher]

I'm picking up what you're layin down, sounds perfect!

[jarhead]

Nice project Greg...

I am north of Pinkees, maybe a 1/2 hour. I should stop by and take a peek.

Joe

[GregWeld]

Nice project Greg...

I am north of Pinkees, maybe a 1/2 hour. I should stop by and take a peek.

Joe




Hell yeah Joe! Not only check out my '40 - but Eric has some pretty sweet other projects going on in there.... and some real nice machinery etc!

[Panteracer]

I run with one of our Pantera Vendors that has
a Tube frame Pantera... 2200lbs, 358 Nascar motor, 850hp,
12" wheels in front 13" out back with Slicks,
Glass body etc... Very very fast car... I can almost stay
with him in the corners but hit the straight and goodby

I almost bought the Twin car years back that needed to
be totally gone thru etc.. he may still have it

My problem is time and wanting to have a car that I can
drive on the street and also track... my Pantera has gone
about as far as I can go without it being a total track car

Bob

Ps... Greg told me what he thinks his next car
will be when I drove down to Laguna.. maybe if you guys show
up at the track once in while he will let you know also:)

[Lenie]

Ok Greg, this build started on 7/14 and here we wait. Time to go pick up the ride, put it in your shop and start putting those skills of yours back to use!! It's winter time in Sun Valley, what else you got to do this time of year with those hands?? Last time anything took you this long to build it was that cabin your working on and this is just suppose to be a driver. Let's go Nancy :bigun2: :poke: :)

[fleetus macmullitz]

Ok Greg, this build started on 7/14 and here we wait. Time to go pick up the ride, put it in your shop and start putting those skills of yours back to use!! It's winter time in Sun Valley, what else you got to do this time of year with those hands?? Last time anything took you this long to build it was that cabin your working on and this is just suppose to be a driver. Let's go Nancy :bigun2: :poke: :)

At his age Lenie?!

Wow, that's harsh.


:lol:

[Lenie]

At his age Lenie?!

Wow, that's harsh.


:lol:

Hi Skip, just like having fun with Greg sometimes. He's actually got some mad skills I've had the opportunity to see in person but I'm not going to let that stop me.:lol:

[GregWeld]

Ok Greg, this build started on 7/14 and here we wait. Time to go pick up the ride, put it in your shop and start putting those skills of yours back to use!! It's winter time in Sun Valley, what else you got to do this time of year with those hands?? Last time anything took you this long to build it was that cabin your working on and this is just suppose to be a driver. Let's go Nancy :bigun2: :poke: :)




Butthead.....

[Ketzer]

Any updates on this GW?

[GregWeld]

Any updates on this GW?




Yeah Jeff --- I think he ordered or found some fiberglass rear fenders for it...


LOL


I've been to concentrated on my health - and dealing with holidays and medical stuff -- and dragging xmas trees out of the f'ing woods etc to think about the '40.


Pinkee's is moving forward on it (I think). LOL

[Ketzer]

I've been to concentrated on my health -

Smart as always, GW.

I would be looking for every distraction in the world...:bitchslap:


Jeff-

[DBasher]

I actually thought of you and the '40 when I was polishing an old KOWA TRUNK I have, thought it might look neato in the bed.

#whenitsdone

:action-smiley-027:

[rustomatic]

I've found it much easier to drag (or even simply carry) my wife's x-mas tree through the Home Depot parking lot. If it's the right size, I can then throw it kind of like a big, furry dart into my 8-foot pickup bed.:relax:

[GregWeld]

Maybe next Christmas I'll drag the tree home in the '40 !!


Got me some rear wheel covers. We've been searching for steel - but in the interest of actually getting the car DONE.... I finally said -- just grab some new glass fenders and get 'em hung and let's move forward.

I want this DONE for next Good Guys Hall of Fame Tour 2017 !!




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20161228_111750.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20161228_111750.jpg.html)

[glassman]

Nicely coming along.
The tour in sept?
Next project is a truck, I fell in Like with that beige '37 ford on the last tour, pretty sure it'll be a Dublin Glass truck this time:thumbsup:

[Spiffav8]

That's going to be a lot of fun. Super cool ride!

[waynieZ]

It's going to be sweet in steel or glass. Very Nice Greg.

[Sonar Chief]

That picture is Christmas card worthy!!!! Looking great as usual ... see you soon!

[Ketzer]

You need a vintage trailer/camper to tow on the tour!

All decked out in tye dye and shag and blasting some Widespread Panic...:lol:

[gofastwclass]

Very cool. Those fenders make the bed look just right.

[fleetus macmullitz]

GW,

Heard Charlie has some gennie fenders for it.

His price to you...

:G-Dub:


lol

[GregWeld]

Nicely coming along.
The tour in sept?
Next project is a truck, I fell in Like with that beige '37 ford on the last tour, pretty sure it'll be a Dublin Glass truck this time:thumbsup:




I tried to buy it.... but they were a bit "proud" of it with an asking price of near $300K.... LOL





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_0308.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_0308.jpg.html)

[glassman]

Yeah, way steep. Probably because of the matching plastic bins in the bed.

I couldn't find out who's suspension was in it.

Is your Pinkies build Roadster shop or AM or other?

[Sieg]

Yeah, way steep. Probably because of the matching plastic bins in the bed.

I couldn't find out who's suspension was in it.

Is your Pinkies build Roadster shop or AM or other?

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showpost.php4?p=568702&postcount=251

[GregWeld]

Yeah, way steep. Probably because of the matching plastic bins in the bed.

I couldn't find out who's suspension was in it.

Is your Pinkies build Roadster shop or AM or other?





Try to keep up Mike.......



Roadster Shop chassis -- Pinkee's build -- Weld owned -- LS3 powered



Doesn't get any better than that!

[fleetus macmullitz]

Try to keep up Mike.......



Tough to keep up with you on that #HomeBrew.


:D

[kwhizz]

Try to keep up Mike.......



Roadster Shop chassis -- Pinkee's build -- Weld owned -- LS3 powered



Doesn't get any better than that!



Well......I don't know about that.........Could be LSA powered......LOL

[GregWeld]

Well......I don't know about that.........Could be LSA powered......LOL





FACT!!!!

[glassman]

You guys know I have a hard time keeping up. I'm slow 😏

[waynieZ]

You guys know I have a hard time keeping up. I'm slow 😏

Hah? What? where!

[DBasher]

This things not done yet??

[fleetus macmullitz]

This things not done yet??

It's aged him a lot though.


:P



https://s17.postimg.org/k041ljsnj/IMG_1058.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/4re47ryyz/)gifs upload (https://postimage.org/)

[kwhizz]

Any Updates ?????????

[GregWeld]

Any Updates ?????????

Ball buster!! As a matter of fact I got update photos yesterday!!



Dash and column installed...... and hanging foot pedals etc




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170331_194427.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170331_194427.jpg.html)





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170331_194432.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170331_194432.jpg.html)





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170331_194443.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170331_194443.jpg.html)





Decided it needed (love that word) a custom core support..... WTF why not!





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_2070.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_2070.jpg.html)




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_2071.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_2071.jpg.html)





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_2077.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_2077.jpg.html)




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_2074.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_2074.jpg.html)




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170331_194459.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170331_194459.jpg.html)





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170331_194417.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170331_194417.jpg.html)





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170331_194413.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170331_194413.jpg.html)




Couldn't find a decent set of 40 pickup rear fenders --- I don't want to waste time and money buying old beat up crap and then even more money making 'em pretty.





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20161228_111750.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20161228_111750.jpg.html)






And just sayin'...... I may be FINISHED with the THIRD custom hot rod before some people I know around here have gotten started on some of their crap.

[FETorino]

Ball buster!!
And just sayin'...... I may be FINISHED with the THIRD custom hot rod before some people I know around here have gotten started on some of their crap.

Yea, what he said.:mock:

[syborg tt]

I want a ride in it when it's done.

Pretty please and no sugar


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GregWeld]

It's aged him a lot though.


:P



https://s17.postimg.org/k041ljsnj/IMG_1058.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/4re47ryyz/)gifs upload (https://postimage.org/)




I swear that guy looks like my Dad Skipper!!

[fleetus macmullitz]

I swear that guy looks like my Dad Skipper!!

Greg,

I believe it!

[GregWeld]

Got some photos of the Steve Moal gas "cap" installed today ----- work continues.....




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_2147.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_2147.jpg.html)





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_2146.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_2146.jpg.html)

[Ketzer]

I like it!

I'm surprised you would go so flashy...:cool:

[waynieZ]

Nice!

[GregWeld]

I like it!

I'm surprised you would go so flashy...:cool:

Nice!


It has to have a little "touch of hot rod" going for it.


Charley and I were just texting -- this will be my last hot rod ever. My plan is for it to be a daily driver -- so nothing too fancy --- but if it's real functional AND a bit hot roddy -- I'm in.

I now have NO TOOLS -- NO SHOP -- NO DESIRE to build or work on this stuff anymore..... And at my age and precarious future -- I'm not going to begin to aquire all the things I've lost. You just can't duplicate things that took a lifetime to gather. Just buying stuff - isn't the same. It was the "environment" and the network of friends....the environment is gone. I still have the friends. That's more important.

I've also found that I can put some guns in the truck - hit the range and what was going to be an hour or two - ends up being all day.... again -- friends are there and we spot for each other or work on the scopes or what have you. I've gotten in to shooting competitively which is fun and you meet fellow idiots....and I love plugging long range precision.... that and my track cars... call it good.

[Juggernaut]

It has to have a little "touch of hot rod" going for it.


Charley and I were just texting -- this will be my last hot rod ever. My plan is for it to be a daily driver -- so nothing too fancy --- but if it's real functional AND a bit hot roddy -- I'm in.

I now have NO TOOLS -- NO SHOP -- NO DESIRE to build or work on this stuff anymore..... And at my age and precarious future -- I'm not going to begin to aquire all the things I've lost. You just can't duplicate things that took a lifetime to gather. Just buying stuff - isn't the same. It was the "environment" and the network of friends....the environment is gone. I still have the friends. That's more important.

I've also found that I can put some guns in the truck - hit the range and what was going to be an hour or two - ends up being all day.... again -- friends are there and we spot for each other or work on the scopes or what have you. I've gotten in to shooting competitively which is fun and you meet fellow idiots....and I love plugging long range precision.... that and my track cars... call it good.

Time for a signature update! :D


I have less tools than I used to... So I'm going to start buying them back...


I know what you mean, though, on a much smaller scale. I've made a lot of friends through the car hobby even though I no longer / currently own anything worth considering cool. The people are definitely the most important part.

Can't wait to see more updates!

[rickpaw]

....

I now have NO TOOLS -- NO SHOP -- NO DESIRE to build or work on this stuff anymore..... And at my age and precarious future -- I'm not going to begin to aquire all the things I've lost. You just can't duplicate things that took a lifetime to gather. Just buying stuff - isn't the same. It was the "environment" and the network of friends....the environment is gone. I still have the friends. That's more important.

I've also found that I can put some guns in the truck - hit the range and what was going to be an hour or two - ends up being all day.... again -- friends are there and we spot for each other or work on the scopes or what have you. I've gotten in to shooting competitively which is fun and you meet fellow idiots....and I love plugging long range precision.... that and my track cars... call it good.

Well said Greg.

[GregWeld]

Time for a signature update! :D



Fixed it! Thanks for the reminder. I'm old... and barely functional. LOL


I will say -- it took me awhile to get over the complete and utter destruction of the greatest part of my life for the last 50 years.... I'm 63 and began working at Gateway Body and Fender when I was 13 (for $1 an hour sweeping floors on Saturday).

I still have ONE of the Craftsman tool boxes I bought with that money. The bottom 3 drawer roller that was being used for TIG parts is now long gone with the sale of my "shed" and all it contained.

The ONLY thing that makes me cry (happened again last week) is when someone asks me about "what did I do with my shop". It contained "my life". The memories and the friends made are all that remain. Time for Stage V of life.

[fleetus macmullitz]

I now have NO TOOLS -- NO SHOP -- NO DESIRE to build or work on this stuff anymore.....

Yep, passions change.

https://s20.postimg.org/vaayt8wwt/IMG_1947.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/64a0mevmh/)image url upload (https://postimage.io/)certificity.com (https://certificity.com)

[GregWeld]

We (Eric @ Pinkee's) were discussing what I wanted to do with the pick up bed -- wood -- or?? I wanted something more durable - such as the aluminum in my trailer floor..... and the entire bed is going to get bedliner sprayed in it. My intentions are to actually USE this truck.

So then - since he got me thinking about things.... I asked him about what A/C unit to use -- I'm not a fan of Vintage Air.... they're "okay" but I was hoping he had experience with some other brand etc.

Well..... seems it's already installed.

My response to him was -- "WTF I was stoned and I missed it" (anyone remember the song?)





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170426_064013.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170426_064013.jpg.html)





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170426_064010_001.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170426_064010_001.jpg.html)





http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170426_064007.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170426_064007.jpg.html)

[Ketzer]

No faceybook, No instagram...



Just a matter of time before you kick us to the curb also... :(

[GregWeld]

Just a matter of time before you kick us to the curb also... :(




Nope --- but Faceybook is EXACTLY what I knew it was --- "where I ate lunch today" and or -- you post something, and some butthole (a keyboard warrior) posts some dumb response - and then someone else responds, and it turns into a **** show. No thanks. My time is more valuable than that.

I have nothing to show "new" or interesting on Instagram..... nor have I seen anything new or interesting. I don't find it a place to interact and communicate - thus ZERO interest.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Looks great, Greg!!

[Swain]

Looking good Greg.

Everytime I talk to Eric I ask him about your truck.

[Ns RS]

It has to have a little "touch of hot rod" going for it.


Charley and I were just texting -- this will be my last hot rod ever. My plan is for it to be a daily driver -- so nothing too fancy --- but if it's real functional AND a bit hot roddy -- I'm in.

I now have NO TOOLS -- NO SHOP -- NO DESIRE to build or work on this stuff anymore..... And at my age and precarious future -- I'm not going to begin to aquire all the things I've lost. You just can't duplicate things that took a lifetime to gather. Just buying stuff - isn't the same. It was the "environment" and the network of friends....the environment is gone. I still have the friends. That's more important.

I've also found that I can put some guns in the truck - hit the range and what was going to be an hour or two - ends up being all day.... again -- friends are there and we spot for each other or work on the scopes or what have you. I've gotten in to shooting competitively which is fun and you meet fellow idiots....and I love plugging long range precision.... that and my track cars... call it good.

Hitting the range? one shot one life buddy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh-ohspuCmE

Since you have the direct connect to pics of monkey on charleys' head you wont be missing much on social media :action-smiley-027:

[waynieZ]

Greg as long as your doing something your enjoying, what ever it is Great news.

[GregWeld]

Hitting the range? one shot one life buddy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh-ohspuCmE

Since you have the direct connect to pics of monkey on charleys' head you wont be missing much on social media :action-smiley-027:



It is the damndest things you see when you don't have a gun...... LOL






Greg as long as your doing something your enjoying, what ever it is Great news.





Wayne -- that's a fact! I've lead a pretty good life.... WTF -- Even when they told me I was a walking dead guy -- My response was "oh well.... it's been a good life"

[Panteracer]

Greg,
Like you said keep on going.. tear em up at
the track or range or whatever
I was going thru my desk drawer and found something
I put there years ago

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in
a well preserved body but rather to Skid in sideways
totally worn out shouting Holly... what a ride"

I have rode dirt bikes, worked hard building things
tearing my body up in every way... now my back is an issue
and it is hard to walk but I still crawl under my cars
and lift tires.. just more slowly.. thankfully no bad
things like you have gone thru

Someone asked me would I do it all over again if I knew
where I would be today.. my answer was in a heart beat

Good to see you are still going at it hard

Bob

[DOOM]

OMG !!!!!!!!!!! How much longer!!!!! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :action-smiley-027: :captain1:

[GregWeld]

OMG !!!!!!!!!!! How much longer!!!!! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :action-smiley-027: :captain1:



I have a leaf blower..... it runs just as good as a lot of the stuff around here. LOL



When you get sick and try to die during a hot rod build -- it tends to muck up the works a bit. Think I'll see if I can paint it myself.... :rolleyes:

[GregWeld]

Greg,
Like you said keep on going.. tear em up at
the track or range or whatever
I was going thru my desk drawer and found something
I put there years ago

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in
a well preserved body but rather to Skid in sideways
totally worn out shouting Holly... what a ride"

I have rode dirt bikes, worked hard building things
tearing my body up in every way... now my back is an issue
and it is hard to walk but I still crawl under my cars
and lift tires.. just more slowly.. thankfully no bad
things like you have gone thru

Someone asked me would I do it all over again if I knew
where I would be today.. my answer was in a heart beat

Good to see you are still going at it hard

Bob




Life is one of those things you just have ZERO clue where it's going.... it's kinda like a river -- just winds where it wants to go. You think you have control - but you really don't. Get a big inner tube and enjoy it.

[clill]

I have a leaf blower..... it runs just as good as a lot of the stuff around here. LOL



When you get sick and try to die during a hot rod build -- it tends to muck up the works a bit. Think I'll see if I can paint it myself.... :rolleyes:


Ill paint it ............:superhack:

[camcojb]

Ill paint it ............:superhack:

:confused59:

[DOOM]

I have a leaf blower..... it runs just as good as a lot of the stuff around here. LOL



When you get sick and try to die during a hot rod build -- it tends to muck up the works a bit. Think I'll see if I can paint it myself.... :rolleyes:

OOOHHH that hurt!:action-smiley-027:

[GregWeld]

OOOHHH that hurt!:action-smiley-027:



Love ya buddy! LOL



You been putting miles on that Ridler car of yours?????

[Boss 5.0]

Life is one of those things you just have ZERO clue where it's going.... it's kinda like a river -- just winds where it wants to go. You think you have control - but you really don't. Get a big inner tube and enjoy it.

I love this Greg. Life is what it is, and we just have to roll with what we are dealt. You have, and still continue, to live and amazing life. Yes some changes have been made, and some thinning of your heard, but all in all from what I see you are still doing well. Continue on. While we have never, and most likely won't ever meet, I feel like I live vicariously through you when you show all your experiences, booth good and bad.


Thank you Greg.

[GregWeld]

I love this Greg. Life is what it is, and we just have to roll with what we are dealt. You have, and still continue, to live and amazing life. Yes some changes have been made, and some thinning of your heard, but all in all from what I see you are still doing well. Continue on. While we have never, and most likely won't ever meet, I feel like I live vicariously through you when you show all your experiences, booth good and bad.


Thank you Greg.




Thanks for the kind words Glenn!

I have been extremely fortunate in my lifetime. I was trying to explain to a buddy here (just got out of rehab - and I haven't had a drink for 33 years now) -- about all the people that mentored me - or that shared with me - or that took me under their wing and gave me a chance. Not because of booze etc -- but that just were there and helped me along. I tried to explain "luck" - and that you had to put yourself in a position to get lucky.... take risk... etc. But really -- basically about LIVING and moving forward. There seems to be various STAGES of life.... and we just need to move thru and WITH those stages. We don't know what stage our life is going to be in next year... we don't foresee the future. It's a moving target -- you can move with it or you can freeze up and sit around wishing all was different somehow. F that.

Like I used to tell Rudy (my Brother in Law) -- if you're going to build a car -- then you start by picking up a tool and doing something with it. You've got to do that EVERY DAY.... or they don't get built. Dream, or DO. I like to DO.

I don't have some of the cars - I don't have hardly any tools (one big box is all)... Who cares! That was then and this is now. Yesterday I went to the range with 4 other friends (all new within this last year or so) at 10AM -- We left there when they closed at 5:30. When we were leaving - we discussed NEXT WEEKEND and that we needed to get together after these Saturdays and break some bread.... so we laid plans for that. THAT my friends is good stuff. Spending the day - regardless of what you're doing as an activity - do it with friends and or family.

The new hobby -- long range precision shooting, or just shooting in general -- is every bit as satisfying as the old (building car stuff). It's neither better nor worse because it's very similar.... it's mechanical stuff - it requires some skills - and it's being done with others with similar interests. DONE. Good enough. I'm not hanging around wishin' I could have what I had last year. Last year is gone and in the history book of great memories. Now I'm building new ones.

By the way --- if you don't think there are any skills to garner in some new hobby because you were good at your old one.... HA! Then you need to stretch your hobby to a point where you need to get instructors involved or something to keep your interest level up. Jake (new friend who is only 25 years old - doesn't matter that I'm damn near 40 years older than him) was the state clay shooting champion.... but the long range stuff is new to him. He has mad skills behind a shotgun -- but is learning new skills banging steel at 1400 yards. It's a COMPLETELY different set of skills and knowledge.... Try as he might - using my equipment he couldn't get 'er done.... I was spotting for him (takes two to shoot at these distances - think sniper style and not in a killing way - but you need to see where your point of impact was - read the wind - adjust etc) -- then I jokingly said -- okay if you can't get it done with a box and a half of ammo -- let me show you.... "The old man" sat down and in 8 rounds put three hits on it (two in a row on a challenge of "I bet you can't hit it three times in a row!). It's not one bit different than when we "race" or we challenge each other about horsepower - or how long of a "scratch" we can lay.... or whatever.

Life is what you make of it and it's best done with wide open eyes that are game to seek what's out there. The FUN is the learning and the doing. If you suck at plumbing your car -- watch some videos -- read some articles -- get some scrap and find someone to show you some tricks - my guess is -- you (you is everyone) have some skills they'd like to learn... or just like spending a day doing ****. Next thing you know - you're plumbing your buddies car because you actually gained some knowledge and some skills at something you used to SUCK at. LOL


Now - get out there and pick up a tool (in other words - get out there and do SOMETHING besides watching TV)...... :superhack:

[clill]

God that was a long winded read. I gotta go take a nap now.

[DOOM]

Love ya buddy! LOL



You been putting miles on that Ridler car of yours?????

Not one mile yet! Last time I even sat in it was Columbus last year! It should be home in a couple weeks . Counting the days that's for sure I'm going crazy!!!!

[waynieZ]

Mario just think how good it's going to be when it gets there. The weather should be good by then.

[DOOM]

Mario just think how good it's going to be when it gets there. The weather should be good by then.
For sure Wayne its just horrible here right now.:hairpullout:

[GregWeld]

God that was a long winded read. I gotta go take a nap now.




You know what you need........




I did ramble a bit huh..... but wth.... I just have so much to say!! :lmao:

[fleetus macmullitz]

Thanks for the kind words Glenn!

I have been extremely fortunate in my lifetime. I was trying to explain to a buddy here (just got out of rehab - and I haven't had a drink for 33 years now) -- about all the people that mentored me - or that shared with me - or that took me under their wing and gave me a chance. Not because of booze etc -- but that just were there and helped me along. I tried to explain "luck" - and that you had to put yourself in a position to get lucky.... take risk... etc. But really -- basically about LIVING and moving forward. There seems to be various STAGES of life.... and we just need to move thru and WITH those stages. We don't know what stage our life is going to be in next year... we don't foresee the future. It's a moving target -- you can move with it or you can freeze up and sit around wishing all was different somehow. F that.

Like I used to tell Rudy (my Brother in Law) -- if you're going to build a car -- then you start by picking up a tool and doing something with it. You've got to do that EVERY DAY.... or they don't get built. Dream, or DO. I like to DO.

I don't have some of the cars - I don't have hardly any tools (one big box is all)... Who cares! That was then and this is now. Yesterday I went to the range with 4 other friends (all new within this last year or so) at 10AM -- We left there when they closed at 5:30. When we were leaving - we discussed NEXT WEEKEND and that we needed to get together after these Saturdays and break some bread.... so we laid plans for that. THAT my friends is good stuff. Spending the day - regardless of what you're doing as an activity - do it with friends and or family.

The new hobby -- long range precision shooting, or just shooting in general -- is every bit as satisfying as the old (building car stuff). It's neither better nor worse because it's very similar.... it's mechanical stuff - it requires some skills - and it's being done with others with similar interests. DONE. Good enough. I'm not hanging around wishin' I could have what I had last year. Last year is gone and in the history book of great memories. Now I'm building new ones.

By the way --- if you don't think there are any skills to garner in some new hobby because you were good at your old one.... HA! Then you need to stretch your hobby to a point where you need to get instructors involved or something to keep your interest level up. Jake (new friend who is only 25 years old - doesn't matter that I'm damn near 40 years older than him) was the state clay shooting champion.... but the long range stuff is new to him. He has mad skills behind a shotgun -- but is learning new skills banging steel at 1400 yards. It's a COMPLETELY different set of skills and knowledge.... Try as he might - using my equipment he couldn't get 'er done.... I was spotting for him (takes two to shoot at these distances - think sniper style and not in a killing way - but you need to see where your point of impact was - read the wind - adjust etc) -- then I jokingly said -- okay if you can't get it done with a box and a half of ammo -- let me show you.... "The old man" sat down and in 8 rounds put three hits on it (two in a row on a challenge of "I bet you can't hit it three times in a row!). It's not one bit different than when we "race" or we challenge each other about horsepower - or how long of a "scratch" we can lay.... or whatever.

Life is what you make of it and it's best done with wide open eyes that are game to seek what's out there. The FUN is the learning and the doing. If you suck at plumbing your car -- watch some videos -- read some articles -- get some scrap and find someone to show you some tricks - my guess is -- you (you is everyone) have some skills they'd like to learn... or just like spending a day doing ****. Next thing you know - you're plumbing your buddies car because you actually gained some knowledge and some skills at something you used to SUCK at. LOL


Now - get out there and pick up a tool (in other words - get out there and do SOMETHING besides watching TV)...... :superhack:

https://s20.postimg.org/6i84ue55p/IMG_2163.jpg

[GregWeld]

Pinkee's got the modern hood latch I asked for installed.... Don't ya just love nice metalwork?




http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170508_064243.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/20170508_064243.jpg.html)

[waynieZ]

Looks Good!

[DBasher]

What's with the big ol radiator sticking up....oh that's right, it's just a driver. :action-smiley-027:

[GregWeld]

What's with the big ol radiator sticking up....oh that's right, it's just a driver. :action-smiley-027:

Ordinarily I wouldn't even respond to such a question -- but have you ever noticed how pinched the nose of a '40 Ford pick up is?? And It came with a 60 hp flathead - but now has a 430 HP LS AND an automatic transmission to cool... make it any sense now?

[DBasher]

Two things you already know. One, I'm a jackass and two, it's your truck.

No doubt the metalwork is top notch and I do enjoy watching this come together...I've always been a fan of Eric's work.

Xoxo

[GregWeld]

Two things you already know. One, I'm a jackass and two, it's your truck.

No doubt the metalwork is top notch and I do enjoy watching this come together...I've always been a fan of Eric's work.

Xoxo

I was trying to be equally as snarky -- while also explaining the facts, to those readers, that might have actually thought you were asking a real question... LOL

[DBasher]

Hey I was spitting facts also, unless of course it's Gwens truck.:lol:

So do you want me to call Eric or are you going to?:computer:

[GregWeld]

After our First Annual Defied Death Match at Thunderhill ---- we all moved to Sonoma and watched Rob Dickey (FETornio) run his AI car at Sonoma! What a great time we had in all!!! OMG!!


The phone rang --- it's Charley --- he's on tour with GoodGuys from Scottsdale to Nashville. One of the couples that has been on all these tours is Harold and Tracy Chapman.... super nice people and he has a shop near Austin Texas and has cranked out a couple of absolutely stellar builds that they've then driven on these tours..... Apparently Charley and he talked and he mentioned he had a open to build (like an open to buy - LOL)..... I had asked Pinkee's if they could get the truck done for September tour -- but that was a no go..... so..... since I'm already in California with the trailer.... I'm leaving here Wednesday and headed to Denver to pick the truck up and take it to Texas --- where hopefully it can get completed and be ready to do the next tour. Thanks Charley for the call!!!

[waynieZ]

Great news Greg, I hope it works out for you. The tour looks like a ton of fun and so much to see.

[Boss 5.0]

That is great news!

[fleetus macmullitz]

2016 Ridler winner...not too shabby. ;)

http://customsandhotrodsofandice.com/CHRA_Projects2/Pages/CHRA_OldsCool_1939_Olsdmobile.html

Built this '41 too...

https://s20.postimg.org/k617st6ot/IMG_3423.jpg (https://postimage.org)image url upload (https://postimage.io/)

https://s20.postimg.org/5ybj45tzx/IMG_3422.jpg (https://postimage.org)image url upload (https://postimage.io/)

[clill]

Harold was on the tour with his freshly finished 32 Ford 5 window highboy. He drove it the 2000 miles and was picked top 5 street rod at Good-Guys Nashville. During judging they top guys had to go to drag strip and make a pass. Harold's had the best burnout. During judging he only washed half the car and left the other half a mess from all the rain and road grime. Great guy that had retired but opened his own shop and hired good guys because he was tired of getting ripped off. He mentioned he was slow at his shop right now so I mentioned it to Greg as Greg has short attention span when it comes to waiting for things to get done. No idea if they can get his truck done by Sept but it should get done quicker as Pinkees is packed with ongoing projects and I don't think Greg was going to have any luck getting to the head of the line to suit his patience. Of course I might have just done in my friendship with Harold after they get a dose of GW.

[fleetus macmullitz]

Harold was on the tour with his freshly finished 32 Ford 5 window highboy. He drove it the 2000 miles and was picked top 5 street rod at Good-Guys Nashville. During judging they top guys had to go to drag strip and make a pass. Harold's had the best burnout. During judging he only washed half the car and left the other half a mess from all the rain and road grime. Great guy that had retired but opened his own shop and hired good guys because he was tired of getting ripped off. He mentioned he was slow at his shop right now so I mentioned it to Greg as Greg has short attention span when it comes to waiting for things to get done. No idea if they can get his truck done by Sept but it should get done quicker as Pinkees is packed with ongoing projects and I don't think Greg was going to have any luck getting to the head of the line to suit his patience. Of course I might have just done in my friendship with Harold after they get a dose of GW.

What could go wrong?

https://s20.postimg.org/fp3cdn57h/IMG_1553.jpg

:D

[glassman]

Harold was on the tour with his freshly finished 32 Ford 5 window highboy. He drove it the 2000 miles and was picked top 5 street rod at Good-Guys Nashville. During judging they top guys had to go to drag strip and make a pass. Harold's had the best burnout. During judging he only washed half the car and left the other half a mess from all the rain and road grime. Great guy that had retired but opened his own shop and hired good guys because he was tired of getting ripped off. He mentioned he was slow at his shop right now so I mentioned it to Greg as Greg has short attention span when it comes to waiting for things to get done. No idea if they can get his truck done by Sept but it should get done quicker as Pinkees is packed with ongoing projects and I don't think Greg was going to have any luck getting to the head of the line to suit his patience. Of course I might have just done in my friendship with Harold after they get a dose of GW.

I think that is a good suit. Both super detailed and good with communication. What could go wrong?lol

Harold's stuff flat out works. I've been on tour with them three times, and they take a different/new build each time (he's been 4 or 5). Classy people and great product.

[waynieZ]

What could go wrong?

https://s20.postimg.org/fp3cdn57h/IMG_1553.jpg

:D

Where's the like button !!

[youthpastor]

Glad to see it's getting finished! Thanks for the comedy hour

[Ron Sutton]

I have been extremely fortunate in my lifetime. I was trying to explain to a buddy here (just got out of rehab - and I haven't had a drink for 33 years now) -- about all the people that mentored me - or that shared with me - or that took me under their wing and gave me a chance. Not because of booze etc -- but that just were there and helped me along. I tried to explain "luck" - and that you had to put yourself in a position to get lucky.... take risk... etc. But really -- basically about LIVING and moving forward. There seems to be various STAGES of life.... and we just need to move thru and WITH those stages. We don't know what stage our life is going to be in next year... we don't foresee the future. It's a moving target -- you can move with it or you can freeze up and sit around wishing all was different somehow. F that.

Like I used to tell Rudy (my Brother in Law) -- if you're going to build a car -- then you start by picking up a tool and doing something with it. You've got to do that EVERY DAY.... or they don't get built. Dream, or DO. I like to DO.

I don't have some of the cars - I don't have hardly any tools (one big box is all)... Who cares! That was then and this is now. Yesterday I went to the range with 4 other friends (all new within this last year or so) at 10AM -- We left there when they closed at 5:30. When we were leaving - we discussed NEXT WEEKEND and that we needed to get together after these Saturdays and break some bread.... so we laid plans for that. THAT my friends is good stuff. Spending the day - regardless of what you're doing as an activity - do it with friends and or family.

The new hobby -- long range precision shooting, or just shooting in general -- is every bit as satisfying as the old (building car stuff). It's neither better nor worse because it's very similar.... it's mechanical stuff - it requires some skills - and it's being done with others with similar interests. DONE. Good enough. I'm not hanging around wishin' I could have what I had last year. Last year is gone and in the history book of great memories. Now I'm building new ones.

By the way --- if you don't think there are any skills to garner in some new hobby because you were good at your old one.... HA! Then you need to stretch your hobby to a point where you need to get instructors involved or something to keep your interest level up. Jake (new friend who is only 25 years old - doesn't matter that I'm damn near 40 years older than him) was the state clay shooting champion.... but the long range stuff is new to him. He has mad skills behind a shotgun -- but is learning new skills banging steel at 1400 yards. It's a COMPLETELY different set of skills and knowledge.... Try as he might - using my equipment he couldn't get 'er done.... I was spotting for him (takes two to shoot at these distances - think sniper style and not in a killing way - but you need to see where your point of impact was - read the wind - adjust etc) -- then I jokingly said -- okay if you can't get it done with a box and a half of ammo -- let me show you.... "The old man" sat down and in 8 rounds put three hits on it (two in a row on a challenge of "I bet you can't hit it three times in a row!). It's not one bit different than when we "race" or we challenge each other about horsepower - or how long of a "scratch" we can lay.... or whatever.

Life is what you make of it and it's best done with wide open eyes that are game to seek what's out there. The FUN is the learning and the doing. If you suck at plumbing your car -- watch some videos -- read some articles -- get some scrap and find someone to show you some tricks - my guess is -- you (you is everyone) have some skills they'd like to learn... or just like spending a day doing ****. Next thing you know - you're plumbing your buddies car because you actually gained some knowledge and some skills at something you used to SUCK at. LOL


Now - get out there and pick up a tool (in other words - get out there and do SOMETHING besides watching TV)...... :superhack:

Like-like-like :thumbsup:

I couldn't agree more.

[Ns RS]

I think that is a good suit. Both super detailed and good with communication. What could go wrong?lol

Harold's stuff flat out works. I've been on tour with them three times, and they take a different/new build each time (he's been 4 or 5). Classy people and great product.

Couldn't agree more. They took this 49 Cadillac last time out on the HOF tour. Just too cool for school, top notch craftsmanship, just glides along but has plenty of giddy up with 1000Hp lsx motor.

[kwhizz]

Fantastic !!!!!!!

[wiedemab]

Awesome!

[GregWeld]

So the First Annual Defied Death Match at Thunderhill went off without too many hitches --- and we all had a blast!! Ron Schwarz - Rob Dickey - Dave Gordon - Scott Siegmund - Bob Braga... and Ron Sutton.... Paul and Mike also showed up and hung around for most of the day!! Good to see EVERYONE!!!

Then Charley calls and we discuss moving the 40 down to the shop in TexASS --- I had a Rotary Lift scheduled for installation on Tuesday -- so that got done - drove to Charley's and picked up the trailer and off I went..... to Winnemucca NV for the night -- then from there to Loveland CO where I am now. That's 819 miles with an empty trailer in 40 and 50 MPH gusting winds.... I think I wore the front tires out keeping the POS of the road.

Tomorrow I'll load up and head south.... By the time I get all done this will be about 5,300 miles of trailer trucking.

God I love living life!! Seriously! Life is such a "trip".... <see what I did there?>

Oh -- I almost forgot -- the Lotus was dropped off at Charley's == Reliable will pick it up when they drop off HellFire -- and take it down to SW's in Austin and we'll see if he can't make it find a new home. It's been a great back up track car! Totally hassle free! Runs and drive so dang well -- but the new little trackside shed just doesn't need three cars in it... and with the lift installed -- that was even more evident. BUH BYE!

[clill]

Reliable is picking up that POS today. I'm not sure I like GW having a shop so close. He keeps showing up.

[57hemicuda]

Can't say thanks enough for the invite Greg, that was a hoot. A track to ourselves with 5 cars to race around, and 3 of them were cool .LOL

Driving a Lotus, a couple Mustangs, and even a Miata, around a new track, what more could a car guy ask for. Racing, wrenching, eating, and of course drinking with really good friends is what life is all about.

I've met Ron Sutton before, had no idea what a goof he is. Tagging Dave with a new bumper sticker for his ride home was priceless.

Adventures like that, melt away the stresses of everyday life. The only problem is sooner or later we have go back to work. Thanks again Greg.

As always, nice pic Scott

https://photos.smugmug.com/Cars/PW/i-kCfnDkT/0/ef7085c1/L/Resized956V0A5347-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Cars/PW/i-SkQXDQS/0/4b02e67a/L/Resized952017051895212057-L.jpg

[fleetus macmullitz]

Reliable is picking up that POS today. I'm not sure I like GW having a shop so close. He keeps showing up.

:lol:


https://s20.postimg.org/p946lpwkd/IMG_3566.jpg

[xplantdad]

Glad to see everything going well Greg!

[GregWeld]

Reliable is picking up that POS today. I'm not sure I like GW having a shop so close. He keeps showing up.



I deleted your number -- Remember in the movie "Pretty Woman" where she answers the phone and he admonishes her for answering it?? Yeah == that scene... LOL

[GregWeld]

Can't say thanks enough for the invite Greg, that was a hoot. A track to ourselves with 5 cars to race around, and 3 of them were cool .LOL

Driving a Lotus, a couple Mustangs, and even a Miata, around a new track, what more could a car guy ask for. Racing, wrenching, eating, and of course drinking with really good friends is what life is all about.

I've met Ron Sutton before, had no idea what a goof he is. Tagging Dave with a new bumper sticker for his ride home was priceless.

Adventures like that, melt away the stresses of everyday life. The only problem is sooner or later we have go back to work. Thanks again Greg.

As always, nice pic Scott





I couldn't have had more fun!! A very special time for sure! We ARE going to do it again!

[DBasher]

Hey you big trucker, I'm going to assume ewe lost service yesterday and that you didn't actually hang up on me....either way, sounds like you're making it happen and it was nice catching up.

Just a reminder...:ttiwop:

Keep on keepin on! No bad days!



ps, they let me out of the psych ward :fluffy:

[Sieg]

I couldn't have had more fun!! A very special time for sure! We ARE going to do it again!

https://photos.smugmug.com/Cars/Thunderhill-West-2017/i-vfzqntd/0/24a4f0a0/X2/20170518_111420-X2.jpg
Pits were a little crowded

https://photos.smugmug.com/Cars/Thunderhill-West-2017/i-xVGvN2D/0/e0e693e2/X2/20170518_110518-X2.jpg
If that was GW's helmet the 'car' would look even smaller! :D

https://photos.smugmug.com/Cars/Thunderhill-West-2017/i-J4mcKst/0/e4b87620/X2/6V0A5277-X2.jpg
.........and clill called the Lotus a POS :rolleyes:

https://photos.smugmug.com/Cars/Thunderhill-West-2017/i-t44GkH2/0/d45787de/XL/IMG_9817-XL.jpg

The cars are great but its the people that make it special. :thumbsup:

[clill]

That's not the pic you guys sent me. There were more pointed fingers involved.

[Sieg]

That's not the pic you guys sent me. There were more pointed fingers involved.
Just more love brother. :thumbsup:

[57hemicuda]

I can have a blower belt on that Mustang in 2.8 minutes, but I can throw the belt in 2.8 seconds.

[GregWeld]

I can have a blower belt on that Mustang in 2.8 minutes, but I can throw the belt in 2.8 seconds.

That car owned you......

[GregWeld]

Hey you big trucker, I'm going to assume ewe lost service yesterday and that you didn't actually hang up on me....either way, sounds like you're making it happen and it was nice catching up.

Just a reminder...:ttiwop:

Keep on keepin on! No bad days!



ps, they let me out of the psych ward :fluffy:





Yes ---- I did hang up on you.... next time call with something interesting. LOL

I've just spent 3 days driving from Nor Cal --- thru Wyoming - Colorado - NW Texas.... Cell service should not include the word "service". Even with my new Verizon service (switched from AT&T after 15 + years) "service" was less than stellar in TexASS.....

[GregWeld]

So back on track <see what I did there?>....... We'll defer to the OP reason for this thread. Something about a '40 Ford Pickup build.....

I pulled the build from Pinkee's Rod Shop... for no other reason than I'd like to try to get it done before I die. I love Eric - the shop does fantastic work - but I no longer have the luxury of infinite time. I might live to be 100 -- or the stents in my liver could plug up tomorrow (or today!).... and I'm on the GREG WELD time table now. That means CHOP CHOP GET IT DONE!

Left the smiling douchebags in California - and headed to Loveland Colorado with an empty trailer (in 40 and 50 MPH gusting winds!! OMG)..... and loaded up the poor old '40..... and headed off to Georgetown Texas... got here yesterday and unloaded.






http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_0067.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_0067.jpg.html)






http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_0066.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_0066.jpg.html)






http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_0069.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_0069.jpg.html)

[GregWeld]

Adrienne is currently working under Chef John Carver at RED ASH in downtown Austin. They're opening another new "concept" restaurant - with a completely new menu in a couple weeks - and then she'll move there and be the Sous Chef. I have to tell you -- I ate at Red Ash last night.... and it was OMG good! So you guys in Austin.... bring your appetite and wallet - and do it.


By the way --- the LOTUS was shipped from Charley's to SW's in Austin.... maybe he (SW) can make it go away. I just don't have room for 3 track cars in my new little space at Thunderhill.... It's a FANTASTIC car... but old yeller is the one that cranks my heartrate up...


Gwen and I will be flying back here for Gwen's birthday (undisclosed number) and maybe the grand opening of the new restaurant... and a trip out to Custom Hot Rods of Andice to come up with a plan for the 40 after they do some assessment.

[GregWeld]

https://photos.smugmug.com/Cars/Thunderhill-West-2017/i-J4mcKst/0/e4b87620/X2/6V0A5277-X2.jpg





.........and clill called the Lotus a POS :rolleyes:



The blower belt seems to have "issues" - thank god we had half a dozen spares.... to turn in to trash. I believe it's a simple idler issue or a misalignment or mismatch of pulleys.... There's no reason to eat belts in less than 1.59 seconds. It will be fixed post haste.





https://photos.smugmug.com/Cars/Thunderhill-West-2017/i-t44GkH2/0/d45787de/XL/IMG_9817-XL.jpg




The cars are great but it's the people that make it special. :thumbsup:




For those that don't know names and faces..... this is THE TEXT TRAIN (AKA: Bozos - except Sutton is NOT part of that because he has an actual life).




From Left to right looking at the photo (the other left, dumbass.... LOL)



Rob Dickey (FETornio) - Dave Gordon - Ron Schwarz - Bob Braga - Payton King (sitting).... other side of table in back - Scott Siegmund - Ron Sutton (hat) and Fat Ass Dead Guy.

[clill]

I lost 1 belt and figured it was when engine was stuttering at the rev limiter so I shifted below the rev limiter and never lost another belt. Then I look at the pic of the bozos and see what happened.:lmao:

[Sieg]

I lost 1 belt and figured it was when engine was stuttering at the rev limiter so I shifted below the rev limiter and never lost another belt. Then I look at the pic of the bozos and see what happened.:lmao:

It's a beautiful car :thumbsup:

I only drove it once on my last session of the day to verify over-heating was due to low coolant. Never threw a belt, though I doubt I took it over 5.2k and didn't miss a shift. It does have a bit more power than the Miata.

One thing about Team Bozo....... they were fast at belt changes. :D

[waynieZ]

Nice to have some faces to go with the names. It looks like it was a good time!

[GregWeld]

I lost 1 belt and figured it was when engine was stuttering at the rev limiter so I shifted below the rev limiter and never lost another belt. Then I look at the pic of the bozos and see what happened.:lmao:




It's no different than the other car I bought from you... it'll be fine after a complete rebuild. LOL

I managed to drive it just fine without tossing the belt. Dave couldn't even get out to hot pit before he tossed one.... however it is a dumb issue that shouldn't happen.

[57hemicuda]

That white car and I did have a love/hate relationship, every time I left in it I ended up wrenching on it. Really nice car, just needs a day or two of sorting. Trying to road race while never taking your eyes off the tach, was harder then I thought it would be. Funny when you purposely try to baby something, and not run it hard, you almost can't drive it.

Old Yeller on the other hand, was like being home. Much like my Mustang, its a hammer. You take it out of the box, beat the crap out of it for as long as you want, and put it away til the next time.

That was the best mancation ever.

[DBasher]

.
Old Yeller on the other hand, was like being home. Much like my Mustang, its a hammer. You take it out of the box, beat the crap out of it for as long as you want, and put it away til the next time.

That was the best mancation ever.

That's a perfect description of not only Old Yeller but any track toy! Glad you all had a good time, hope to be around for the next one.

:flag2: :cheers:

[Flash68]

but old yeller is the one that cranks my heartrate up...




I thought I got it before.... but now I really get it. :Tomcat:

Dave couldn't even get out to hot pit before he tossed one....

is that what they call premature.... X(#&$#&& ?



That was the best mancation ever.

Amen, sir.

And then there were 7.....

[Flash68]

Nice to have some faces to go with the names.

Well.. yes and no. :lol:

[DBasher]

Well.. yes and no. :lol:

Mostly no...:lol:

[Sieg]

Old Yeller on the other hand, was like being home. Much like my Mustang, its a hammer. You take it out of the box, beat the crap out of it for as long as you want, and put it away til the next time.

That was the best mancation ever.

That pretty much sums it up :thumbsup:

[GregWeld]

Pinkee's may eventually figure out a couple reasons for why they lost this project....


#1 - When you provide detailed billings, and every single item - page after page of work items - they're all "magically" 10 hours per item....


Funny.... Some of these guys must think the customer was born last night. I've personally done ALL of the work to build a car - many times over - in the last 40 years.... and have had 3 high end cars professionally built. No work - ever - takes exactly 10 hours. End of story. I don't care what the explanation could be.

****** Just so people understand***** a builder is never BILLING ME..... they are always working off of a cash deposit that is paid IN ADVANCE -- usually 20 to 25 grand at a time (more if the project is just getting started - so they can order stuff and have it ready to go). I understand the needs of small business... cash is king... I expect my projects to become "important" to the builder. I'm the kind of customer any shop should want to have. I understand the process... I know exactly what I want to have built.... and I pay up front. What more is there a guy could do?


#2 - Once again billing issues.... Funny that all the "freight" items are in even dollars. Never a $197.65 --- nope! $200..... Not a $10.95..... that turns into a $20


Well of course it did. LOL



#3 - All that metalwork -- and there's still patch panels left to do in the cab area? WTF.... That seems real efficient - floors are out - firewall is out - corners of the cab are cut and replaced.... and the cab is mounted on the chassis - fenders mounted - doors mounted - hood mounted - bed mounted - and there's still holes in the cab..... YEAH NO! Just stupid.


I've learned a few things when dealing with these shops.... #1 -- when you become suspicious or just plain unhappy with the work - or the speed of the project etc -- MOVE IT!! I should have pulled the Frisbee '32 project about 2 months after starting it. I disliked the guy and his shop manager from the start - not pulling it was a big mistake.

The best builder in the universe so far? Brizio. They tell you "about" what the job is going to be - they were so close..... Quote was "$250 to $275+ depending on all the choices" - actual $283. Car was virtually perfection. There were many upgrades that weren't included in the initial cost discussions (which were broad brush stroke discussions). The car was finished in MONTHS (18ish) not years.....

I didn't have him build this truck - because I didn't want a "300k" daily driver pickup truck. Pinkees labor rate is $50 an hour - Roy's is $105 - (one is in expensive SF bay area - one is in Colorado)..... when you just factor the hours to build stuff like this ----- 1500 ish ----- that labor rate is a big swing factor. But I've said it here before, many times. If the "expensive guy" bills you one hour for something and the "cheap guy" bills you 4 or 5 hours for the same thing.... now who is "expensive"? I remember looking at the labor billing for the exhaust system on the '33 (Brizio)... it was $800 TOTAL.... I've paid that and more for "exhaust shop" work on normal cars! Pinkees billing might have looked more like -- 10 hours for exhaust tips -- 10 hours for cutting exhaust -- 10 hours for welding exhaust tips -- 10 hours for mounting exhaust -- 10 hours for removing and checking exhaust clearances..... :BlahBlah: :BlahBlah: :BlahBlah: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :bang: :bang: :bang:


We'll see how this next shop does. So far - the conversations with the shop foreman have been spot on! The ideas of what should be done from here - right on the money. We'll see if performance is on par with the "talk". After building these cars all my life - I'm pretty hard to BS. The work "flow" --- What it takes -- yeah.... I understand all that really well. The talk and the fact - that's where we get down to the nitty gritty. :lol: :lol: :lol:

[SSLance]

I think it was 2012 at Russo and Steele that I spent 3-4 days babysitting a Corvette we were selling which was parked next to Pinkee's Mustang they were selling at the same auction. The car was fantastic, and the couple that was there representing it seemed nice enough as well.

There was something very "used car salesmanish" about the vibe I got anytime any interested parties stopped by to look at the car though and they seemed put off by those that came by just to look vs those that were there looking to buy something. Most car people LIKE talking about the cars they've built with just about anyone that is interested...potential buyer or not. Not so much with these guys.

Hope the new shop does you well Greg. It continues to amaze me how many horror stories I hear from people having cars built by shops. The car my friend had built here in KC recently was just a measly $100k build...yet the shop still did just about everything wrong on the car and took 3 times as long as they said it would to get the poor job done. They used 100% flex lines used for the brakes, not a hard line ANYWHERE...just one example. This supposedly by one of the best hot rod shops in this area too...

[fleetus macmullitz]

Explanation for Pinkee's billing method???

op9ND6-c-Dg

[Ketzer]

Jeezus. Not again. Sorry GW.

A friend of mine was discussing hotrod stuff with me the other day and asked if I had been by so-and-so "shop"... I had never heard of them. He asked about three or four other "shops" in my area... Never heard of them either. He said they were all full of cars, projects in various stages of build. None getting finished.

I really don't see how people survive trying to get their dream car built.


Jeff-

[GodSpeed]

It's really unfortunate to hear this. I bill for what gets done in a day, not a completed part. Every employee has a detailed log book and I convert those notes to billable time. My guys work over 8 hrs a day plus lunch and no breaks. There are no cell phones allowed in the shop and everyone keeps very busy. I never bill 8 hrs, because I do not believe anyone is 100 percent efficient. I typically bill 6 hrs for every 8 that my top guys do. Less for less efficient guys, but the quality is what remains my utmost desire and what we deliver. Also all work in my shop is scheduled, meaning that if it is in the shop its being worked on everyday till it leaves. My track record speaks for itself as do my customers. This is where we came up with the #wedontstorecars and we stand by it. We bill every two weeks, and only take deposits for parts we need to buy. We have enough capital and we are debt free we don't live off deposits. Nor do we rob Peter to pay Paul. Its just never works long term. I hope your truck is on the right path and you can be driving it soon.

Thom
SaltWorks Fab
Sarasota, Fl

[214Chevy]

Nor do we rob Peter to pay Paul.

There are so many shops that do rob Peter to pay Paul. I've had my fair share of them.

[glassman]

I cant figure out how to post IG here, but @CHRAtexas just posted pics of a certain frame section of a "41" pick-up....looks nice, very nice....

[fleetus macmullitz]

I cant figure out how to post IG here, but @CHRAtexas just posted pics of a certain frame section of a "41" pick-up....looks nice, very nice....

Just take a screen shot of it...bruh.

:D

[96z28ss]

I don't think that is Greg's chassis.
He doesn't have wheels yet.

[214Chevy]

Could just be mock up wheels as many shops use.

[65_LS1_T56]

I cant figure out how to post IG here, but @CHRAtexas just posted pics of a certain frame section of a "41" pick-up....looks nice, very nice....

If you click on the little dots on the upper right corner of the pic, then copy share url to get a link. Don't know how to embed though
https://instagram.com/p/BU-NostFs34/

[65_LS1_T56]

No idea on how CHRA runs the shop, but there is no denying they turn out some amazing stuff. I was fortunate to make the front upper and lower control arms on the '39 Oldscool Ridler winner last year by them. Got to meet Levi at Autorama, super talented guy for sure.

Good luck Greg!

[dontlifttoshift]

That's a TCI chassis, so not Greg's.

[GregWeld]

I cant figure out how to post IG here, but @CHRAtexas just posted pics of a certain frame section of a "41" pick-up....looks nice, very nice....



That IS NOT my truck -- that is Harolds personal 41 pickup.... I saw the chassis in the paint booth - it's now a dark metalic blue - and flawless....


Mine will be POWDER COATED..... F that show quality painted chassis stuff for me - mine is going to be my daily driver. Durablity -- and "hose it off" type stuff only. I'm way over the show car and trailer queen stuff.

[GregWeld]

No idea on how CHRA runs the shop, but there is no denying they turn out some amazing stuff. I was fortunate to make the front upper and lower control arms on the '39 Oldscool Ridler winner last year by them. Got to meet Levi at Autorama, super talented guy for sure.

Good luck Greg!



Thanks Aaron! Hope you're feeling okay buddy! I dropped Facebook and Instagram so haven't been able to track your ass. Get my phone # from guys that have it -- or if not - send me a message via here --- I want to know how you're doing.

[65_LS1_T56]

Thanks Aaron! Hope you're feeling okay buddy! I dropped Facebook and Instagram so haven't been able to track your ass. Get my phone # from guys that have it -- or if not - send me a message via here --- I want to know how you're doing.

Will do Greg!

[GregWeld]

Jeezus. Not again. Sorry GW.

A friend of mine was discussing hotrod stuff with me the other day and asked if I had been by so-and-so "shop"... I had never heard of them. He asked about three or four other "shops" in my area... Never heard of them either. He said they were all full of cars, projects in various stages of build. None getting finished.

I really don't see how people survive trying to get their dream car built.


Jeff-


If left long enough and enough money spent -- they'd turn out an award winning build. The shop has turned out some stellar builds.... I have no idea what those cost - but high end show winners are routinely costing north of half a million bucks these days -- and I personally know people with MILLION dollar builds.... That is not what I was trying to build with this truck.... I've repeated that statement about half a million times... maybe I'm getting charged a dollar for each time I say that??? LOL

The real points are -- When my stuff goes in to the shop -- it needs to be worked on until it's finished. In their defense - it sat for almost a year during my battle with cancer.... but the truck hasn't made any real progress for a long time.... and I had asked if it could get finished by a certain date... A "maybe" was the wrong response... and a "for sure it would have to come back to be finished" was an even worse response. I've been that route - not doing it EVER again. That whole paying double time only to pay double time for do-overs is not happening to anything I'm building.

REGARDING THE DUST COLLECTORS......


I once wanted to have a 56 Nomad built by a southern California shop.... so I made an appointment to have a serious discussion... and after a tour of the shop - and seeing piles of parts strewn all over and under the cars -- bondo dust a 1/8th thick on most of them.... (I'd already made up my mind this guy couldn't build a car if he tried).... I asked the owner.... Have you ever finished a car? LOL Yeah -- no.... was what he should have answered. He folded a year or so later.

You MUST look around these shops and look for telltales for how your parts are being handled... and how much dust is on "new" parts.... etc. Are there parts just randomly strewn about? Is your trim just piled somewhere in a box or sticking out of a barrel? YEAH -- RUN.....

However -- neatness can also imply -- NOT WORKING ON ANYTHING... but the cleanest shop I've ever been in - has turned out some f'n amazing builds -- Jesse Greenings shop. It was white painted floors - and as spotless as a hospital operating room! So it can go either way.

[fleetus macmullitz]

Greg,

Your posts on what to look for in a shop have been very helpful over the years. Thanks for taking your time to educate us once again. :thumbsup:

[waynieZ]

Greg,

Your posts on what to look for in a shop have been very helpful over the years. Thanks for taking your time to educate us once again. :thumbsup:

Agreed! I hope it goes smooth for you.

[DBasher]

I've spent enough time with you to know how you roll and the expectations when you're paying someone for something....it's seems super simple for everyone, as long as you're dealing with a legit business that has its **** together, Brizio.

Not my pig and not my farm....but if I could make a suggestion. Be the guy that gets invoiced every two weeks, or whatever, and pays on time. Keeps you up to speed and keeps the shop honest, plus it helps build a relationship.

10hrs for every task and rounding up on shipping...hard no! That's a company that has a stack of Weld cash just sitting waiting to get used up, or more than likely, used elsewhere and back charged to you. F that:bur2:

I'm still looking forward to your vision of a 40 pick'em up, lets hope this shop can get it done within the timeline.
If you need an assistant or even a project manager, let me know I'd be happy to help. If you need to borrow lunch money just say the word.

[dontlifttoshift]

This really should be another thread that could be useful for _everyone_.

[Ketzer]

This really should be another thread that could be useful for _everyone_.

That's our GW in a nutshell....!! "useful for _everyone_" :lol: :lol:

[GregWeld]

This really should be another thread that could be useful for _everyone_.

If I hadn't made such a last minute decision -- your shop would have been a top contender.... and Mike Redpath at MuscleRods.... and a couple others on here.... but this call came at the perfect time -- when my trailer was hooked to my truck and I have nothing else to do.... That - and Adrienne and SW and Gerno and Cope live in Austin - so I can go visit and kill everybody - er I mean - I can kill lots of birds with one trip. I've been to Denver ONCE since the project started.... and that's bad ON ME as well.... but I did have lifeus interuptus there for a bit too.

[kwhizz]

Glad to see that Greg posted his experiences with his builds........Real World and not the La La land stuff that everyone thinks happens at these Pro shops.............Thanks for being "HONEST" !!!!!!!!!


Ken

[GregWeld]

That's our GW in a nutshell....!! "useful for _everyone_" :lol: :lol:




You meant Used and Abused by everyone..... :lol: :lol:



Funny --- a guy (gunsmith) at the range I shoot at (A LOT - LOL) tells me his grandfather had finally given him a '55 Tbird that Grandpa has owned since new..... and that he wanted "to fix it up".

I jumped back 10 feet at this.... and immediately told him "DON'T TOUCH IT!!" That's a $100,000 dollars.... and unless you can write a check for that right now... don't even think about doing anything to it!! And if YOU tear it apart - you'll have a pile of parts in boxes and the car will become nothing but a storage shelf for them.

He replied -- but I just want to get it running and make it a driver.....

Oh here we go...... So I started to run down the list of what that's going to look like after the car has been sitting in a garage for over 30 years....

Every rubber part needs replacing

The gas tank is full of goo

The gas lines are all full of goo

The brake master cylinder is shot

The slave cylinders are all shot

The cylinders in the motor have rust in them by now - and will tear up the ring seal the first time you crank it over...

The carb is full of goo

The hoses -- EVERY ONE OF THEM -- needs to be replaced

The radiator will need to be removed and boiled out

The water pump will need to be replaced

The fuel pump will need rebuilding - replacing

There's probably mice living in the wiring or the heater

Anything that holds fluid - will need to be flushed - or carefully drained and refilled and rotated etc and whatever it is will be a leaker


In other words --- don't even start.



These car projects are all the same.... home built or pro built... it's a HOBBY either way.... many ups and downs... many hours either working on them or working to pay for someone else to work on them. They never go smoothly -- they never cost what you planned and they certainly never cost less than you planned!

I've also found they don't build themselves....you have to get out there and pick up a tool and do something with it. 1500 hours is a LOT of spare time... and that's if you're starting with all brand new parts.... double that if you have to do "lace repair" - or like every project on the planet - you have scope creep.

Do the math. There's 50 weeks of work days - leaving you 100 Saturdays and 100 Sundays - figuring 2 weeks of actual real vacation away from everything including the stupid car. If you don't have anything EVER to do on a weekend - not a single party - not a single kid thing - not a single wedding or birthday or anniversary..... and you worked all day every weekend and had every part you ever needed at your disposal..... you're lucky if you could build a car in 2 years.... and it's more like 4 or 5 YEARS of being pretty productive.

Treat it as what it is ---- an enjoyable HOBBY..... and if you're like me - the minute you're "done" -- I'm bored with it and start dreaming about what else I could have done to it - or what other car I want to build.

Good god we're idiots!!! LOL

[SSLance]

Good god we're idiots!!! LOL

Truer words have never been spoken!!

I tell everyone when talking about my car that if I was smarter, I'd just sell the car and everything part and tool I have and buy a C5 Z06 and go racing in it.

#Easybutton

[GregWeld]

Truer words have never been spoken!!

I tell everyone when talking about my car that if I was smarter, I'd just sell the car and everything part and tool I have and buy a C5 Z06 and go racing in it.

#Easybutton




Please don't do that -- then I'd have to disrespect you like all the other "corvette" racers around here. OMG. No!!

We're going to practically be neighbors -- I'd like to continue to hang out.

[65_LS1_T56]

Truer words have never been spoken!!

I tell everyone when talking about my car that if I was smarter, I'd just sell the car and everything part and tool I have and buy a C5 Z06 and go racing in it.

#Easybutton

Please don't do that -- then I'd have to disrespect you like all the other "corvette" racers around here. OMG. No!!

We're going to practically be neighbors -- I'd like to continue to hang out.

This. This is what has happened lately. It has taken away from a lot of the fun at the events gor sure. It makes sense both financially and competitively, but it certainly has to be less satisfying. There is nothing better in my opinion than beating new(er) vettes and such, with a 50+ year old car. Glad you guys see it like that as well. And thank you for the call Greg, means a lot to me.

[rustomatic]

Thanks for giving us an honest view of where you lose in such a pie-in-the-sky transaction as having someone build a custom hotrod, Greg. So many on here (Dave, anyone?) seem to have gone through the same rigamarole so many times; maybe it's life telling us that we should only do this with our own fingers, so we'll be the only ones to blame for when stuff (because censorship) doesn't go right. That's my psychosis, I guess, but I've got recent reinforcement for why I just can't pay anyone to do anything . . .

All I did was order a couple of new couches. They were not from Juan's bargain basement or anything. They were from Macy's, who do not allow for customer pickup in my area (this is why we have pickup trucks, people). Sure enough, two jugheads showed up at my house yesterday and delivered me a couch with what looked like a knife hole through the back. One was good, short of the big, greasy fingerprint on a throw pillow. I can deal, but it's really annoying when life keeps proving to me that I will always be happier when I only have myself to blame for screwing things up.:bang:

We can also address the relatively artistic nature (sanity?) of the custom hotrod build(er) in combination with personality types we can reasonably expect to be involved with such a thing, but that's a whole 'nother set of paragraphs for another time . . .

[SSLance]

Don't worry Greg and Aaron, I also like to be the guy in the low budget grocery getter that I built in my garage chasing the Vettes down on the track. Or at least being close enough to them to make them wonder WTF is going on? :D

You guys have also both have been successful in other businesses, do you ever wonder if someone with good business sense could be successful building cars for other people? Any time I see a segment or industry where customers struggle to get things done to their satisfaction I wonder if I could do it better?

The initial overhead while building a team of skilled builders with specialized skills seems like the largest obstacle. In fact, it almost always comes down to keeping good employees around.

Awe...Screw it...think I'll just stick to building them myself.

[GregWeld]

Don't worry Greg and Aaron, I also like to be the guy in the low budget grocery getter that I built in my garage chasing the Vettes down on the track. Or at least being close enough to them to make them wonder WTF is going on? :D

You guys have also both have been successful in other businesses, do you ever wonder if someone with good business sense could be successful building cars for other people? Any time I see a segment or industry where customers struggle to get things done to their satisfaction I wonder if I could do it better?

The initial overhead while building a team of skilled builders with specialized skills seems like the largest obstacle. In fact, it almost always comes down to keeping good employees around.

Awe...Screw it...think I'll just stick to building them myself.





If you want to wake up every morning hating life and hating cars -- open a hot rod shop.....

The way to do it - is be "set for life" and just have a nice big shop at your house were your buddies come by to play (think Bob's place we went to).


It's why I ALWAYS built this stuff myself..... But for years I had nothing much to do but tinker away the day in the shed fussing with my tools, and my hobby, waiting for the kids to get out of school (I was Mister Mom).


Roy Brizio runs his shop like a business.... cars don't get started until HE is ready to start them - once they start - they have a totally orderly process. His guys have been there for 25+ years - they're good at what they do - they specialize - they're efficient - and I've never once walked in there (say every 6 months) and seen a car sitting in the same spot or the same condition. THERE IS REAL ACTIVE WORK BEING PERFORMED! He orders the parts needed - they're kept pristine.... and there is a finish area when they come back from paint (smart that he does ZERO bodywork or paint)... They sit there on JACKSTANDS -- there's only a couple lifts in the entire shop.... they get wired and trimmed and adjusted etc - and the customer comes and gets it.

Now -- he's also one that understands what he's building - they don't do a whole lot of over the top custom stuff - he's not trying to be Troy or Troy (Trepanier and Ladd).... he's not trying to re-invent the wheel..... he just turns out quality hot rods and you NEVER see a Brizio car for sale - ANYWHERE..... I sold mine by placing ONE phone call. DONE. I wish I had it back, but I'm not going to call and try to buy it back because my buddy (owns several Brizio's) loves it. We've put about 6 miles on the 911 since coming home from Scottsdale.... we have TWO chocolate labs.... we like them to go with us. I'm over it. The pickup will be perfect - I can toss them in the back and off we'll go. I can toss my gun cases in the back (I spend ALL DAY every Saturday at the range these days).....


I have never understood why shops that have 4 guys working in them have 10 projects.... 1 or 2 at most are getting any attention.... the rest sit and collect dust. To me - if the customer doesn't pay IMMEDIATELY upon being invoiced - I'd shove his **** out the door and call him to come get it. They'd be given one week after that it goes on the street.

Do you guys ever wonder how RING BROTHERS manages to have completed, spectacular, cars turned out every SEMA? They're so friggin custom they're sick! These are not cranked out cars -- but they're done - they're done on time... I can't even imagine what the bills are, but they must be staggering. Ditto The Roadster Shop -- year after year - they crank out staggeringly custom cars for SEMA.... you should see that operation! It is run like a business. It's not a hobby shop. Neither of these shops are giving their work away. I've had quotes.... I can't afford them. Yet in the end - it's what you end up spending! And when you get all done they're not "Roadster Shop" or "Trepanier" cars. LOL

The Frisbee '32 -- that was a $220K roadster - mention his name in connection with it - people ask "does it run?" LOL

I know there's lots of shops on here - I'm only mentioning a couple that we all can relate to....

[GregWeld]

This. This is what has happened lately. It has taken away from a lot of the fun at the events gor sure. It makes sense both financially and competitively, but it certainly has to be less satisfying. There is nothing better in my opinion than beating new(er) vettes and such, with a 50+ year old car. Glad you guys see it like that as well. And thank you for the call Greg, means a lot to me.



Yep ---- if you can't build a car that can run and perform (this IS a PRO TOURING SITE correct?) then you buy a C4/C5....

Funny how that happens - most can't drive worth a crap anyway - so what difference does it make what car they're in. If people would learn to DRIVE and spend some money on that - they'd be farther ahead. You're not going to win with Popp and a few others at the top.... so just go out and drive your stuff and have fun. Get over yourself and your place on the leaderboard. Go hang with your buddies - love looking at your car - love the day.... No the tire guys aren't going to call and give you free stuff.... :fluffy: :fluffy: <------ those are supposed to be sheeples. LOL

[GodSpeed]

[QUOTE=GregWeld;660305]If you want to wake up every morning hating life and hating cars -- open a hot rod shop.....

I actually look forward to every morning and coming into my shop. I usually get here between 5 and 6am. I get in, and I do what ever paper work needs done, and I make sure that the guys have what they need to be rolling for the day. The guys drift in between 7:15 and 7:45 and are up and working by 8, not getting ready to work, but working. There are six of us in the shop and we don't ever have more than five projects. Typically we only have one long term project (meaning 1 - 2 year build). Every project gets worked on everyday unless an issue has arisen that needs customer attention or parts have for some reason not shown up. We do everything except Paint/body and Interior. I tell every customer you can show up anytime without notice. I have nothing to hide here, what I tell you is going on is what going on. I used to be a Mechanical Engineer before I got into this industry full time, and scheduling has always been a part of my life. If we have to do something twice we eat it, not the customer. Nothing is faked into a bill ever. Our billing is very accurate and detailed. We don't charge a daily or weekly fee for your car to be here. We charge 40 dollars per 40 hours for shop consumables. We don't mark up materials, we round parts to the dollar, we don't up charge shipping. If i spend several hours looking for parts (research) I will charge about 20 percent of that because my time does have value.

I don't have an ego to feed, I have a passion to feed. I understand your upset about how you were treated and I have seen it all too often. We get a lot of cars that have been at other shops and really screwed over. We currently have a "coachbuilt" vehicle that the customer had spent over 200 in getting built and we are not using any of it except the drive train and wheels. That was a very very hard discussion to have with the owner. But there was just no way to save the mess that was there. I figured we would loose him, but in turn we have started a great relationship and build process. There are no smoke and mirrors here ever. We all know it cost more to build a car than to buy one. A lot of people enjoy the process from my point of view.

It would be nice to see someone start a Concierge business. Someone that knows this world inside and out, has first hand knowledge of shops and that can help direct future customers to the right place to get their project done. Someone that can assess the customers needs and budget and direct them to a shop that will result in a happy outcome. I recommend other shops all the time and I do a lot of work for other shops and never even talk about it. If they want people to know I did the work then they can give me credit. Again no ego to feed.

Well I guess I have ranted enough. Time to get this day going. I hope you all have a great day.

Thom
SaltWorks Fab
Sarasota Fla.

[GregWeld]

[QUOTE=GregWeld;660305]If you want to wake up every morning hating life and hating cars -- open a hot rod shop.....

I actually look forward to every morning and coming into my shop. I usually get here between 5 and 6am. I get in, and I do what ever paper work needs done, and I make sure that the guys have what they need to be rolling for the day. The guys drift in between 7:15 and 7:45 and are up and working by 8, not getting ready to work, but working. There are six of us in the shop and we don't ever have more than five projects. Typically we only have one long term project (meaning 1 - 2 year build). Every project gets worked on everyday unless an issue has arisen that needs customer attention or parts have for some reason not shown up. We do everything except Paint/body and Interior. I tell every customer you can show up anytime without notice. I have nothing to hide here, what I tell you is going on is what going on. I used to be a Mechanical Engineer before I got into this industry full time, and scheduling has always been a part of my life. If we have to do something twice we eat it, not the customer. Nothing is faked into a bill ever. Our billing is very accurate and detailed. We don't charge a daily or weekly fee for your car to be here. We charge 40 dollars per 40 hours for shop consumables. We don't mark up materials, we round parts to the dollar, we don't up charge shipping. If i spend several hours looking for parts (research) I will charge about 20 percent of that because my time does have value.

I don't have an ego to feed, I have a passion to feed. I understand your upset about how you were treated and I have seen it all too often. We get a lot of cars that have been at other shops and really screwed over. We currently have a "coachbuilt" vehicle that the customer had spent over 200 in getting built and we are not using any of it except the drive train and wheels. That was a very very hard discussion to have with the owner. But there was just no way to save the mess that was there. I figured we would loose him, but in turn we have started a great relationship and build process. There are no smoke and mirrors here ever. We all know it cost more to build a car than to buy one. A lot of people enjoy the process from my point of view.

It would be nice to see someone start a Concierge business. Someone that knows this world inside and out, has first hand knowledge of shops and that can help direct future customers to the right place to get their project done. Someone that can assess the customers needs and budget and direct them to a shop that will result in a happy outcome. I recommend other shops all the time and I do a lot of work for other shops and never even talk about it. If they want people to know I did the work then they can give me credit. Again no ego to feed.

Well I guess I have ranted enough. Time to get this day going. I hope you all have a great day.

Thom
SaltWorks Fab
Sarasota Fla.




Good post Thom!


YOU would have to go back and read some of the almost 20,000 posts to understand "me" and statements like "if you want to wake up and hate"...... its a tongue in cheek statement. Hang around awhile and you'll get where I'm coming from. Obviously that's not a factual statement. It is factual when I know who I'm responding to. Many of the people on here are actual friends - not just a bunch of internet keyboard jockeys.

I've stated in here (Lateral G) about a trillion times -- that I'd love to just spend my day sweeping the floors at various shops - in an effort to learn from them and just because I love this stuff so much.

This is not my first goat rodeo.... this is about car number "I've lost count".... and I'm not talking about buying and selling. I'm talking about building and modifying - and most of them have been major redos or builds. The only part of this hobby I can't do personally - upholstery. I've spent the last 45 years (26 of them retired) doing this stuff almost daily. I guess that's why it becomes so disappointing... because it certainly isn't hard to build a decent project. There's no body mods - for the last 20 years all my stuff has gone on new chassis (the days of boxing are long gone).... so many parts that didn't used to be available now days create "catalog cars". Crate motors vs custom built stuff etc.

Anyway -- I'm happy you're happy, and loving running your shop.

[Blake Foster]

[QUOTE=GregWeld;660340][QUOTE=GodSpeed;660337]




Good post Thom!



I've stated in here (Lateral G) about a trillion times -- that I'd love to just spend my day sweeping the floors at various shops - in an effort to learn from them and just because I love this stuff so much.

We actually have a floor washing machine that you are welcome to ride around any time. biggest problem right now....................... finding the floor!!! manufacturing is so busy !!!

[Ron Sutton]

You meant Used and Abused by everyone..... :lol: :lol:



Funny --- a guy (gunsmith) at the range I shoot at (A LOT - LOL) tells me his grandfather had finally given him a '55 Tbird that Grandpa has owned since new..... and that he wanted "to fix it up".

I jumped back 10 feet at this.... and immediately told him "DON'T TOUCH IT!!" That's a $100,000 dollars.... and unless you can write a check for that right now... don't even think about doing anything to it!! And if YOU tear it apart - you'll have a pile of parts in boxes and the car will become nothing but a storage shelf for them.

He replied -- but I just want to get it running and make it a driver.....

Oh here we go...... So I started to run down the list of what that's going to look like after the car has been sitting in a garage for over 30 years....

Every rubber part needs replacing

The gas tank is full of goo

The gas lines are all full of goo

The brake master cylinder is shot

The slave cylinders are all shot

The cylinders in the motor have rust in them by now - and will tear up the ring seal the first time you crank it over...

The carb is full of goo

The hoses -- EVERY ONE OF THEM -- needs to be replaced

The radiator will need to be removed and boiled out

The water pump will need to be replaced

The fuel pump will need rebuilding - replacing

There's probably mice living in the wiring or the heater

Anything that holds fluid - will need to be flushed - or carefully drained and refilled and rotated etc and whatever it is will be a leaker


In other words --- don't even start.



These car projects are all the same.... home built or pro built... it's a HOBBY either way.... many ups and downs... many hours either working on them or working to pay for someone else to work on them. They never go smoothly -- they never cost what you planned and they certainly never cost less than you planned!

I've also found they don't build themselves....you have to get out there and pick up a tool and do something with it. 1500 hours is a LOT of spare time... and that's if you're starting with all brand new parts.... double that if you have to do "lace repair" - or like every project on the planet - you have scope creep.

Do the math. There's 50 weeks of work days - leaving you 100 Saturdays and 100 Sundays - figuring 2 weeks of actual real vacation away from everything including the stupid car. If you don't have anything EVER to do on a weekend - not a single party - not a single kid thing - not a single wedding or birthday or anniversary..... and you worked all day every weekend and had every part you ever needed at your disposal..... you're lucky if you could build a car in 2 years.... and it's more like 4 or 5 YEARS of being pretty productive.

Treat it as what it is ---- an enjoyable HOBBY..... and if you're like me - the minute you're "done" -- I'm bored with it and start dreaming about what else I could have done to it - or what other car I want to build.

Good god we're idiots!!! LOL

"goo"

Have you been hanging out with Kimmie? That's one of her words. LOL

[Ron Sutton]

[QUOTE=GodSpeed;660337]




Good post Thom!


YOU would have to go back and read some of the almost 20,000 posts to understand "me" and statements like "if you want to wake up and hate"...... its a tongue in cheek statement. Hang around awhile and you'll get where I'm coming from. Obviously that's not a factual statement. It is factual when I know who I'm responding to. Many of the people on here are actual friends - not just a bunch of internet keyboard jockeys.

I've stated in here (Lateral G) about a trillion times -- that I'd love to just spend my day sweeping the floors at various shops - in an effort to learn from them and just because I love this stuff so much.

This is not my first goat rodeo.... this is about car number "I've lost count".... and I'm not talking about buying and selling. I'm talking about building and modifying - and most of them have been major redos or builds. The only part of this hobby I can't do personally - upholstery. I've spent the last 45 years (26 of them retired) doing this stuff almost daily. I guess that's why it becomes so disappointing... because it certainly isn't hard to build a decent project. There's no body mods - for the last 20 years all my stuff has gone on new chassis (the days of boxing are long gone).... so many parts that didn't used to be available now days create "catalog cars". Crate motors vs custom built stuff etc.

Anyway -- I'm happy you're happy, and loving running your shop.

"Goat Rodeo" ???

:lol:

[Ketzer]

I've stated in here (Lateral G) about a trillion times -- that I'd love to just spend my day sweeping the floors at various shops - in an effort to learn from them and just because I love this stuff so much.



With the GoodGuys tour attracting a lot of top builders visiting other builders on the tour, I would love to hear what they observe, good and bad, at other shops. Also if there is much support/camaraderie between the competing businesses...

[CJD Automotive]

No the tire guys aren't going to call and give you free stuff....

Wait...what?, no free tires?...that's it, i'm done. Anyone wanna buy a 'Cuda?...

[fleetus macmullitz]

"You know sometimes, I can hardly believe I get to call this a job."

CS2oxFtRGj8

[GregWeld]

Wait...what?, no free tires?...that's it, i'm done. Anyone wanna buy a 'Cuda?...

LOL ----- Good one!


I know that might come as a surprise to a lot of people..... Hahahahahaha


I'm certain though -- that your car is already invited to SEMA - and right after that - it will fetch three times what you spent building it at Barrett Jackson....

[CJD Automotive]

I'm certain though -- that your car is already invited to SEMA - and right after that - it will fetch three times what you spent building it at Barrett Jackson....

No intentions of ever selling, but if I were, the only reason I might possibly break even is that I don't pay the slack ass to build it...which is why my shop just fixes late model cars and doesn't build them. I know how to make money fixing cars, never could figure out how to make money building them without it costing the customer a fortune or me losing my ass.

[GregWeld]

No intentions of ever selling, but if I were, the only reason I might possibly break even is that I don't pay the slack ass to build it...which is why my shop just fixes late model cars and doesn't build them. I know how to make money fixing cars, never could figure out how to make money building them without it costing the customer a fortune or me losing my ass.

Well the "YOU" was kinda meant as an "everybody"..... not just YOU -- I should have perhaps written that better....

And yes --- The shops that actually make a legitimate profit (as opposed to those that just over charge and never really do much work)... It has to be really hard to make a buck. The amount of space it takes - the tools - the time - the QUALITY employees..... is a large amount these days. It's little wonder that we've seen these build costs skyrocket.

[GodSpeed]

And yes --- The shops that actually make a legitimate profit (as opposed to those that just over charge and never really do much work)... It has to be really hard to make a buck. The amount of space it takes - the tools - the time - the QUALITY employees..... is a large amount these days. It's little wonder that we've seen these build costs skyrocket.[/QUOTE]

It has to be run like a business and not a hobby shop or fund the owners toy box.

I don't think its a environment that you get into to become rich. Because with a conscious and wanting to sleep at night. You have to bill in such a way you get paid for you time but also take into account that no one person is 100% efficient and your business is supported by people that its a hobby to them, not a necessity. If the past dictates the future all our customers become return customers, and they were all referred to us. So we have to be thankful for that and continue to give a product that warrants it.

I am thankful for this discussion. Greg we talk a few times on Facebook through your recovery. Your process to recovery has allowed me to shed light to several friends and help them. So, again thank you for that as well. I certainly hope the guys in Texas get your truck on the road soon and you get in enjoy it.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Thom Speed
Saltworks Fab
Sarasota Fl.

[Sales@Dutchboys]

ALOT of good reading on here Greg! Thanks for sharing.. And happy to hear your project is back on track. Those guys seem to have a system going down their.

It always interests me on what other shops are doing and handling everyday things. Seems just about all of the shop share the same common problems.

I have not been on here much lately (between the shop and LIFE) its great to get on and click on some great builds people are working on and read some great info and thoughts from people with experiences like you.

Hope all is well!

[preston]

>It's little wonder that we've seen these build costs skyrocket.

Well, that and the fact that the cars have gone totally out of control.
Even as recently as the 90's a hot custom muscle car was still 100% factory unibody, maybe a few massaged panels, the same 15" (or if you were exotic 16") wheels that were commonly available and tires that cost slightly more than your passenger car (my new tire bill is $1800+ now). Brakes were just swap parts from the heavy duty model. Now a car doesn't get a second glance without a full chassis, 75% modified sheet metal, 15" brakes and forced induction.

[GregWeld]

ALOT of good reading on here Greg! Thanks for sharing.. And happy to hear your project is back on track. Those guys seem to have a system going down their.

It always interests me on what other shops are doing and handling everyday things. Seems just about all of the shop share the same common problems.

I have not been on here much lately (between the shop and LIFE) its great to get on and click on some great builds people are working on and read some great info and thoughts from people with experiences like you.

Hope all is well!




You are one of the good guys Paul!!

When we had HellFire and JackAss together in Texas -- YOUR work on HellFire was so far ahead of whoever did JA..... it was just a WOW.... You should be very very proud of your shop and quality of work.

Life is good buddy! I'm glad you're busy! Busy is a good problem to have!

[DOOM]

Pinkee's may eventually figure out a couple reasons for why they lost this project....


#1 - When you provide detailed billings, and every single item - page after page of work items - they're all "magically" 10 hours per item....


Funny.... Some of these guys must think the customer was born last night. I've personally done ALL of the work to build a car - many times over - in the last 40 years.... and have had 3 high end cars professionally built. No work - ever - takes exactly 10 hours. End of story. I don't care what the explanation could be.

****** Just so people understand***** a builder is never BILLING ME..... they are always working off of a cash deposit that is paid IN ADVANCE -- usually 20 to 25 grand at a time (more if the project is just getting started - so they can order stuff and have it ready to go). I understand the needs of small business... cash is king... I expect my projects to become "important" to the builder. I'm the kind of customer any shop should want to have. I understand the process... I know exactly what I want to have built.... and I pay up front. What more is there a guy could do?


#2 - Once again billing issues.... Funny that all the "freight" items are in even dollars. Never a $197.65 --- nope! $200..... Not a $10.95..... that turns into a $20


Well of course it did. LOL



#3 - All that metalwork -- and there's still patch panels left to do in the cab area? WTF.... That seems real efficient - floors are out - firewall is out - corners of the cab are cut and replaced.... and the cab is mounted on the chassis - fenders mounted - doors mounted - hood mounted - bed mounted - and there's still holes in the cab..... YEAH NO! Just stupid.


I've learned a few things when dealing with these shops.... #1 -- when you become suspicious or just plain unhappy with the work - or the speed of the project etc -- MOVE IT!! I should have pulled the Frisbee '32 project about 2 months after starting it. I disliked the guy and his shop manager from the start - not pulling it was a big mistake.

The best builder in the universe so far? Brizio. They tell you "about" what the job is going to be - they were so close..... Quote was "$250 to $275+ depending on all the choices" - actual $283. Car was virtually perfection. There were many upgrades that weren't included in the initial cost discussions (which were broad brush stroke discussions). The car was finished in MONTHS (18ish) not years.....

I didn't have him build this truck - because I didn't want a "300k" daily driver pickup truck. Pinkees labor rate is $50 an hour - Roy's is $105 - (one is in expensive SF bay area - one is in Colorado)..... when you just factor the hours to build stuff like this ----- 1500 ish ----- that labor rate is a big swing factor. But I've said it here before, many times. If the "expensive guy" bills you one hour for something and the "cheap guy" bills you 4 or 5 hours for the same thing.... now who is "expensive"? I remember looking at the labor billing for the exhaust system on the '33 (Brizio)... it was $800 TOTAL.... I've paid that and more for "exhaust shop" work on normal cars! Pinkees billing might have looked more like -- 10 hours for exhaust tips -- 10 hours for cutting exhaust -- 10 hours for welding exhaust tips -- 10 hours for mounting exhaust -- 10 hours for removing and checking exhaust clearances..... :BlahBlah: :BlahBlah: :BlahBlah: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :bang: :bang: :bang:


We'll see how this next shop does. So far - the conversations with the shop foreman have been spot on! The ideas of what should be done from here - right on the money. We'll see if performance is on par with the "talk". After building these cars all my life - I'm pretty hard to BS. The work "flow" --- What it takes -- yeah.... I understand all that really well. The talk and the fact - that's where we get down to the nitty gritty. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Makes me feel good that Troy did my car after reading this,that's for sure!. We bumped heads a couple times but I never once needed to question him on one single invoice I received . The interior guy well ....... Will leave that alone.:getout:

[GregWeld]

>It's little wonder that we've seen these build costs skyrocket.

Well, that and the fact that the cars have gone totally out of control.
Even as recently as the 90's a hot custom muscle car was still 100% factory unibody, maybe a few massaged panels, the same 15" (or if you were exotic 16") wheels that were commonly available and tires that cost slightly more than your passenger car (my new tire bill is $1800+ now). Brakes were just swap parts from the heavy duty model. Now a car doesn't get a second glance without a full chassis, 75% modified sheet metal, 15" brakes and forced induction.




FACT !! Preston



To think what I've spent on "hot rods" -- now versus what I used to spend 25 years ago is mind boggling! But a hot rod used to be a SBC -- some wide tires - some Weld Wheels <see what I did there?> "decent" paint - which could have been a single stage urethane or enamel..... upholstery from the local shop.... a four speed tranny and a rear end from the junkyard. The fact that you could "box" a frame in your garage - made you a "real hot rod builder".... let alone chop a grill.... or cut in some patch panels.


I agree with you -- it's gone so far over the top that it's almost taken the fun out of it. A home builder struggles to be "proud" of what he's built... We no longer can just MIG weld something - we all have to have TIG machines now.... and the gaps and bodypanels have to be Rolls Royce quality... and as you pointed out -- the have to have trick EVERYTHING from the ground up.

I'm not complaining --- it is what the hobby is.... we all want to improve and get better - and guys like Mark Stielow continue to raise the bar... and we eagerly follow (with our tongues hanging out!).

If you'd have told me 20 years ago that guys were going to be doing long distance tours in 950 hp cars with the AC on with 40,000 dollar paint jobs - I'd have thought you'd gone mad! LOL


There's SO MANY GREAT PRO SHOPS...... it's sad when they start out and then get fat and sassy. Why can't they just can't put their noses down - put their pedal to the metal - and crank out the work... Maybe they're good builders and just not good business people... the skills to build do not automatically transfer to management. Capital allocation.... hiring (or firing) skills... time management.... parts sourcing skills.... planning... managing thru lean months or years...

[gofastwclass]

Greg, thanks again for sharing your experiences and being transparent about them. I (and countless others) have learned so much from you through your posts and commentary. You're like a hot rod dad to many of us with your wisdom and humor.

Being a little guy who still does all his own work, I feel what you are saying. I have heard countless horror stories about cars going to a shop to die and rack up an incredible bill in the process. My cars are still built the old way with junkyard parts, ingenuity and my own hard labour. They are also 100% reliable and I know exactly what parts were used so I know what worked and how to fix them. The only thing I farm out are items I don't have the tools to achieve (machine work and interior) From what I read even though we live in the same city and have never met, I believe SSLance is the same way. I would love to have the money to pay someone, but honestly even if I did I would rather get my hands dirty and do it myself. All more money would do in my case is buy more tools, a larger space to use them plus additional cars and parts. The end result of driving my creation and meeting new friends is simply the icing on the cake.

[GregWeld]

Greg, thanks again for sharing your experiences and being transparent about them. I (and countless others) have learned so much from you through your posts and commentary. You're like a hot rod dad to many of us with your wisdom and humor.

Being a little guy who still does all his own work, I feel what you are saying. I have heard countless horror stories about cars going to a shop to die and rack up an incredible bill in the process. My cars are still built the old way with junkyard parts, ingenuity and my own hard labour. They are also 100% reliable and I know exactly what parts were used so I know what worked and how to fix them. The only thing I farm out are items I don't have the tools to achieve (machine work and interior) From what I read even though we live in the same city and have never met, I believe SSLance is the same way. I would love to have the money to pay someone, but honestly even if I did I would rather get my hands dirty and do it myself. All more money would do in my case is buy more tools, a larger space to use them plus additional cars and parts. The end result of driving my creation and meeting new friends is simply the icing on the cake.




Thanks for the kind words....


I ALWAYS built and repaired my own stuff - or my friends stuff.... until I became busy doing other fun things. These days we're traveling WAY more than we used to.... and just doing other things - more golf - etc. The first "pro" (I loathe using the word in connection with this shop) build I did was the Frisbee '32 - and that was only because it's purchase - and subsequent re-build was completely unplanned. I think I was building my brother in laws car at the time. We all know what a disappointing experience that was.

Funny --- it wasn't the quality of the bodywork - paint - chrome - ideas - execution.... it was the things that make a car a car. Leaks everywhere - the wiring - the alignment etc. THE DETAILS that keep a car running and make it reliable. Looking at the car -- it was awesome. Right up until you tried to drive it. EPIC FAIL.

The part I always prided myself on -- was that my **** ran - ran well - didn't fail - and was used and abused on a regular basis. I go to shows - or have friends - that put up with having to crank and crank to get started - or the slow errrump errrump of a poorly done starter.... or header leaks... or steering wheel shimmy. THEY LIVE WITH IT. ME? NEVER. Fix that stuff!! Have some pride for god's sake! If you make a plumbing line and it leaks - DO IT OVER - it's a hobby! Learn as you go - you'll make mistakes. So what. Examine the part - figure out where you went wrong and try to do it better on the next one.... but don't live with it. What do you learn from that? Practicing making bad parts..... LOL

For a "pro" shop to put out work that has these items - or ANY ITEMS - that don't perform... They don't deserve to be in business. The "cheaters" in the world - doing shoddy work - lining their pockets... they need to be called out. Grow a pair - if you got screwed - stand up and say so. I'm not afraid to go to a show and see them face to face -- they know what they did - I told them to their face....They ought to man up and take ownership. They don't - people like that never think it's them - they always deflect blame.

There were issues with the Brizio '33.... blowing oil out (not enough breather capacity).... A/C condensation line didn't work so water dripped inside (fixed) - Overheated - due to lack of tank on the radiator (so it was "open to atmosphere"). The Vega steering box (smoothed and painted) sucked - a new one was installed and was perfect. ALL FIXED WITHOUT A SINGLE QUESTION OR BILL.... and these fixes didn't take months -- they were fixed in DAYS. That is how to do business!

[GregWeld]

Makes me feel good that Troy did my car after reading this,that's for sure!. We bumped heads a couple times but I never once needed to question him on one single invoice I received . The interior guy well ....... Will leave that alone.:getout:




LOL -- if only things always went as planned.....


You need to get on the list of GoodGuy HOF tour and go with us.... that way Charley has someone else to beat on besides me.

[jarhead]

just getting caught up on this, WOW, keep fighting the good fight..

[GregWeld]

just getting caught up on this, WOW, keep fighting the good fight..




LOL..... Yeah.... I've never been one to hold back!

I'm the guy paying for the job.... if I'm not happy with what's going on -- I have ZERO problem firing people. Charley's phone call was perfect timing.

[DBasher]

LOL..... Yeah.... I've never been one to hold back!.

You don't say....
Xoxo

[Vegas69]

So what you are saying is, building these things is a pain in the ass and if you want it done right, you got to do it yourself?:action-smiley-027:

[cspecken]

I feel your pain. It only took my 'High End' hot rod shop to repaint my car 3 years!!! This is one of those 'TV' shops with an owner that has 25+ years of experience in building hot rods. All talk, when it is on their dime to fix something it is never going to happen. Every time I asked the owner when it was going to get painted, it was 'Oh your the next one in the booth'. Ya right!!! Guess I learned my lesson.

Greg did the right thing and got out of that mess, hope the new shop works out. Also, I want to thank Greg for his insight and commentary on this board, its what makes me come back every day to see how the place is holding up.

[GregWeld]

So what you are saying is, building these things is a pain in the ass and if you want it done right, you got to do it yourself?:action-smiley-027:




No it's not a pain in the ass -- it's fun... it's a hobby.... and some shops can build them right - get 'em done on time - and on budget.... MANY can't.

Many times that's the owner's fault - they don't pay - they're "between money" - the owner can't make up their minds - they change direction 10 times....

For me - there's no waiting on money - I know what I want before the job gets started - I don't procrastinate..... sometimes it's the shop, and not the customer - sometimes it's the other way around.




I feel your pain. It only took my 'High End' hot rod shop to repaint my car 3 years!!! This is one of those 'TV' shops with an owner that has 25+ years of experience in building hot rods. All talk, when it is on their dime to fix something it is never going to happen. Every time I asked the owner when it was going to get painted, it was 'Oh your the next one in the booth'. Ya right!!! Guess I learned my lesson.

Greg did the right thing and got out of that mess, hope the new shop works out. Also, I want to thank Greg for his insight and commentary on this board, its what makes me come back every day to see how the place is holding up.



Thanks!!!


My '33 Ford was painted in about a month.... which included gaping - bodywork/skim etc - paint - and cut and buffed. Vintage Color Studio (Darryl Hollenbeck's shop - who is Roy Brizio's Brother in Law). Mind you -- that paint and bodywork was about 40 grand.... Pure perfection by the way.... and will still be perfect 20 years from now.

http://vintagecolorstudio.com/


I think it took Sid Shavers about 2 weeks to knock the interior out of the park....

These guys know how to make money - and making money is NOT turning your shop in to a storage facility.

[214Chevy]

The one thing I hate about these "lazy shops" is when you go to pick up your car, the owner starts talking about how much you owe him on your bill, when in all actuality he never did much of any work on the car to begin with which is the reason you're pulling your car from his shop. Then, he tries to back you in a corner by making you feel that if you don't square up with him on the so-called bill or money that he feels you owe him, you're not getting your car.

[GregWeld]

The one thing I hate about these "lazy shops" is when you go to pick up your car, the owner starts talking about how much you owe him on your bill, when in all actuality he never did much of any work on the car to begin with which is the reason you're pulling your car from his shop. Then, he tries to back you in a corner by making you feel that if you don't square up with him on the so-called bill or money that he feels you owe him, you're not getting your car.

Oh you should have heard the whining.... $7,700 to get it out of jail. I can assure you no work was done to earn that..... I was happy to write the check - load the truck up and split. LOL.

"I have to feed my family"..... Hey! Apparently I've been feeding them for a few years now.... Maybe a little less eating and a lot more work??? LOL

[Ketzer]

That has to be the worst of it, as long as they have your vehicle hostage, there is no negotiating. They are mad because the golden goose is leaving and you are mad about being robbed. I've read a dozen of these since joining Lat-G and none have turned out well....

GW,
I'm sure you still have the basic plan you always had, a solid driver with some simple creature comforts. Any new build thoughts since it changed hands?
Anyone doing a render for you? (I love seeing renders, my kind of wall art)


Jeff-

[GregWeld]

That has to be the worst of it, as long as they have your vehicle hostage, there is no negotiating. They are mad because the golden goose is leaving and you are mad about being robbed. I've read a dozen of these since joining Lat-G and none have turned out well....

GW,
I'm sure you still have the basic plan you always had, a solid driver with some simple creature comforts. Any new build thoughts since it changed hands?
Anyone doing a render for you? (I love seeing renders, my kind of wall art)


Jeff-




Jeff --- the end -- only matters to me about how they handle THEMSELVES --- I don't care about the money part (lucky me)... to me - it's all the attitude. Eric was very friendly - was professional - whined some - but also understood the reasons for me pulling it.... a lack of progress.... But the attitude did go south - as expected - and not unreasonable.... BUT <always the big butt> -- I'm not the only guy to pull out of there as of late.... and the whining about having to get me some roller wheels/tires was unlike anything I've ever witnessed... on that account alone I wouldn't recommend the shop. Dude.... it's just business - end it well and live to fight another day... end it poorly and you just get bagged on.





Update ---- No changes. Still going to be a tan/grey color - artillery wheels - simple street rod with some rake... to the unknowing - it'll be "a nice old pickup" - to the guy that drops a knee and looks underneath - he'll go - "oh hell yeah".... The underhood will be a combo of gloss and satin.... and just about ZERO billet or chrome anything. We'll do more with "color" and texture.

A glimpse of the interior direction ---- gauges just arrived:







http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/image1.jpeg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/image1.jpeg.html)

[Che70velle]

Greg, I love the gauges. Youv'e already got over a mile on your truck, and it's not even finished yet. :welcome3:
Glad to hear everything is well. Throw some progress pics up, when you get some from the shop.

[GregWeld]

Greg, I love the gauges. Youv'e already got over a mile on your truck, and it's not even finished yet. :welcome3:
Glad to hear everything is well. Throw some progress pics up, when you get some from the shop.





I'm in Austin now -- will be at the shop Friday....


I don't expect "progress" at this point - they will have had to disassemble and inspect - and check everything they're going to have to do to move forward from here. They already found areas in the cab that need to be patched....

We'll have a great discussion about overall "direction". So far - I've loved the phone calls I've gotten with ideas from Mike Kaiser (the shop foreman). He seems to grasp exactly what I want.

[Ketzer]

Under the hood still going to be bone stock LS crate just like its shipped? ... or maybe just maybe you'll let them do a little de-clutter with some period disguise... :beathorse

[GregWeld]

Under the hood still going to be bone stock LS crate just like its shipped? ... or maybe just maybe you'll let them do a little de-clutter with some period disguise... :beathorse



Oh yeah --- I think LS motors are FUGLY to begin with --- so we'll manage to give it a little pizzaz.... And I don't like seeing wiring etc - so it'll get all the usual hot roddy stuff done like that.

[waynieZ]

I like the gauges, they'll fit right in.

How's this for a guy hiding the fact he has an LS motor in his 59 Belair 2 door wagon

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w11/Hardcore454/LSA%20%20Motor%20and%20%20Parts/yS66B3Z_zpslf6wgh7i.jpg (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/Hardcore454/media/LSA%20%20Motor%20and%20%20Parts/yS66B3Z_zpslf6wgh7i.jpg.html)

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w11/Hardcore454/LSA%20%20Motor%20and%20%20Parts/QJGfTfH_zpsusa4qds7.jpg (http://s172.photobucket.com/user/Hardcore454/media/LSA%20%20Motor%20and%20%20Parts/QJGfTfH_zpsusa4qds7.jpg.html)

[fleetus macmullitz]

Yep, all shops not equal.

:P

https://s20.postimg.org/8h2dd1b19/IMG_4574.jpg

[Ketzer]

It occurred to me, there is a common denominator....

Different top shops, different builds, same GW.....:mock:







:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Blake Foster]

you know you can bolt SBF heads on an LS right !!!

or at the very least make some adapters and put FORD valve covers on it !!
:thumbsup:

[GregWeld]

Went out to Andice today to work with Mike and Harold on the '40..... I was pleasantly surprised to see they'd actually been working on it!!

There were very few problems --

#1 - Is the bed on the truck wasn't square or level. When you viewed the truck from the side - the gap between the cab and front of the bed was a "keystone" or "taper". Now -- it's completely able to be shimmed with some blocks to make it fit perfectly - and I'm not saying that Pinkee's was anywhere near getting to this work area..... so don't get it wrong please. To me - it was more the fact that they (CHRA) had noticed it - checked in to what it took to make it right - and had already fixed it.

#2 - The gas cap in the fender -- a Steve Moal built cap -- frenched in to the driver rear fender. It's an "O ringed" cap.... but CHRA had gone one better and used a new car style positive twist and sealed cap INSIDE of the Moal cap - and had already C notched the chassis and run the stainless tubing for the connection....

#3 - The area under the bed - and the gap between it and the chassis.... normally filled with just a plain piece of metal. They had already mocked up, for my viewing pleasure, two different styles of louvers for this area - giving the truck a definite hot rod touch! The one they - and Gwen and I loved - was the use of a "curved" louver - think if you sliced a side of a football off - rather than just the standard straight louver. The truck is all curves - and the use of the curved version was perfect. CHECK!

#4 - The intake was already done!


#5 - The steering column was relocated slightly - so they could hook up the transmission linkage and steering knuckles and shaft. This area is a super tight fit at the driver side valve cover. As in -- Oh my!

We're going to use some of the curved louvers in the inner fender well area (custom built - very nicely by Pinkee's) to allow for some air flow.... and I'm "thinking" (now that I've seen this bitchin' louver) of throwing a few in the hood as well.... we'll mess with placement and pattern a bit to attempt to get it right - or eliminate them if we can't.


Discussion turned to some details -- bumpers or nerf bars in front - I'm opting for the nerf bar style. With the right rake - and some little hot rod touches -- it lends itself to that styling que..... They'll keep the front end from being hung out there with the traditional bumper (although a '41 bumper is better than the '40... they still have to be out front a ways). The rear has to follow the front - so a custom style rear bumper will be built.

We talked stereo - speakers - sub - amps etc -- door treatment (interior) and latches. Bear claws?- stock? - or their suggestion of a modern latch that Mike liked because of how it worked. I'll go with their modern latch suggestion. Door handles to operate it are TBD. Mirror styles etc TBD.

I hated the A/C in the '33 --- it was junk and could barely keep the tiny little space tolerable. Junk is being nice.... and there were a couple of factors that contributed to it's poor performance -- #1 being the ridiculous little hot roddy outlets. Those POS couldn't flow enough air to keep a flea cage cool.... and I've never liked the "one style doesn't fit anything" Vintage Air controls.... Well -- personally -- I love a shop that has the correct answers for solutions... and they showed me a couple of options that were spot on! BINGO! Problems solved. Gotta love it!

Then -- the seat? Gwen and I both sat on a plastic milk crate (my name for them). The seat in a stock 40 - had a "seat riser" platform... which is my preference - and we'll build in some storage drawer access in front. A quick access spot for little things like glasses - and gum - and just "stuff"... it will also be the right space to hide stereo amps etc. In 1940 - you had the option(?) of the gas tank under the seat or under the bed.... I ASSume the riser was the place where the gas tank went. We'll use this space for some storage. DONE.

So basically they're now in the process of getting all the "mechanical" stuff hooked up - or built and hooked up. That way there's no "oops" where's that going to go? Then they can go back and address the details. The hood etc fit really well -- amazingly well - kudos to Pinkee's for getting it right. The hood latch set up they built falls right together with a nice click.

So funny thing about the actual SEAT -- what style etc. I said my buddy Dan Peterson had the perfect seat in his '40 PU that I liked and wanted to use. It's a square back - with a fold down armrest - has a "bucket" feel to the seating area - and the seat cushion can flip forward for under seat access. A quick iPad pic and Gwen et al agreed. Only one problem.... I don't know how to get hold of Dan to find out what seat he used. So once back at the hotel - I started networking. A buddy owns Warehouse West - a perfomance parts wholesale distribution / retail operation - a call to the owner, Brad - he knew Dan and figured he knew a couple people that should have contact info.... an hour later - I've got it! Thank you Brad - you were always a good man!

A call to Dan - and it's a Glide Engineering Inc seat (they have several styles to choose from) and lo-n-behold they also make a steel seat riser! That will save me money when I don't have to make one from scratch! So I hang up after a nice conversation with Dan - and go to Glides website.... What's on the front page (home page)??????? A picture of the '33 !! Click on it -- and an even larger picture of it!! LOL WTF are the odds of that??? It's fate..... LOL


http://www.glideengineering.com/



Here's the seat in Dan's - at the time, unfinished project... and now he tells me he has 200 miles on his finished project! Good for him!! He's built some seriously nice hot rods in his day! Apparently he's still got it!! Good for you Dan!






http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/ad33/gregweld/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_0133.jpg (http://s919.photobucket.com/user/gregweld/media/40%20Ford%20Pickup/IMG_0133.jpg.html)

[waynieZ]

That seat looks like it would be comfortable on along ride. Glad the stress is diminishing and it's feeling fun again Greg.

[Boss 5.0]

I put a Glide seat in my 47 Ford coupe. Loved it, really comfortable and bolted right to the stock floor mounts.

[gofastwclass]

Went out to Andice today to work with Mike and Harold on the '40..... I was pleasantly surprised to see they'd actually been working on it!!


Great to hear Greg! :)

Progress and they've had it less than a month! Apparently this time you found a great shop.

I'm glad you changed shops. Apparently the guys in Andice don't like the idea of paid storage and would actually prefer to turn out completed vehicles. :idea:

[Ketzer]

I hated the A/C in the '33 --- it was junk and could barely keep the tiny little space tolerable. Junk is being nice.... and there were a couple of factors that contributed to it's poor performance -- #1 being the ridiculous little hot roddy outlets. Those POS couldn't flow enough air to keep a flea cage cool.... and I've never liked the "one style doesn't fit anything" Vintage Air controls.... Well -- personally -- I love a shop that has the correct answers for solutions... and they showed me a couple of options that were spot on! BINGO! Problems solved. Gotta love it!



This is very helpful GW. Could you elaborate on what system you decided to go with?

[GregWeld]

This is very helpful GW. Could you elaborate on what system you decided to go with?



They're Vintage Air -- but the one in the '33 didn't ever blow very cold -- and the outlets were stupidly small -- and the air from that unit was always full of moisture. Brizio had that unit in and out of the car at least 3 times.... it just sucked.


The unit in the '40 is also Vintage Air -- And CHRA said that some units seem to work great and some just don't. BUT -- they had a killer hide-away outlet that flowed a lot of air -- so we'll try that.... and they'll hide the control unit and an angle under the dash. As we discussed - in those units - you really only ever run then fan speed knob. So once you know where that is - you're good to go.

I think the condenser in the '33 was just too small to gte the hear out of the leaking convertible top. A black top - a dark blue car.... takes some cooling power. Add some humidity -- and you're out of luck. The top on the '33 never did seal well. The VA unit in my '56 Nomad would freeze you out... and that was a lot of volume to cool. In the '33 it always felt like the unit was working really hard but not getting the result. I always wondered if there wasn't a hose kinked up under the dash? Or the unit was just flat out defective.

[CJD Automotive]

.... and they'll hide the control unit and an angle under the dash. As we discussed - in those units - you really only ever run then fan speed knob. So once you know where that is - you're good to go.



Hey Greg, when I was doing my '37 Plymouth truck, I used this Desoto control head that I modified to work with the modern controls. Looks cool, is designed to bolt under the dash, and keeps the period look.

Here's a pic of the mock up one I picked up to see if it would work:

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t445/340cuda/IMG_2082_zpsf7o1ilji.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/340cuda/media/IMG_2082_zpsf7o1ilji.jpg.html)
http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t445/340cuda/IMG_2083_zpsfj98uz2e.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/340cuda/media/IMG_2083_zpsfj98uz2e.jpg.html)

[GodSpeed]

Great to hear. Thankful your are getting good progress. We use vintage air in everything with great success. We have managed to get a Gen IV in about everything and always end up with 34 degree vent temp. The things a lot of people not attack is, keeping heat out. Making sure that the only way the air gets through the condenser is to block all other outlets and lastly proper fan shroud. Being in Florida and building daily drivers is our forte. Proper firewall insulation, door gaskets and window fitment and gaskets, all while maintaining a look of yesteryear is a big job but also pays off in big dividends. Also we use a new window tint that is clear, but removes a ton of heat in the vehicle.

Greg, I hope this progress continues and I am sure they know that they are under the spot light, which doesn't hurt either. I have been impressed with their facility from day one, not sure why Levi left there, but that happens.

Have a great Fathers Day.

[GregWeld]

http://i1060.photobucket.com/albums/t445/340cuda/IMG_2083_zpsfj98uz2e.jpg (http://s1060.photobucket.com/user/340cuda/media/IMG_2083_zpsfj98uz2e.jpg.html)




That's bad ass Craig!!! I did that once to a 56 Chevy --- I had found a brand new controller that was also an A/C car.... it was a big job to convert - and then a few years later they came out with all the electronic stuff and micro switches.... Was way cool to use the factory A/C and Heat control.

[GregWeld]

Great to hear. Thankful your are getting good progress. We use vintage air in everything with great success. We have managed to get a Gen IV in about everything and always end up with 34 degree vent temp. The things a lot of people not attack is, keeping heat out. Making sure that the only way the air gets through the condenser is to block all other outlets and lastly proper fan shroud. Being in Florida and building daily drivers is our forte. Proper firewall insulation, door gaskets and window fitment and gaskets, all while maintaining a look of yesteryear is a big job but also pays off in big dividends. Also we use a new window tint that is clear, but removes a ton of heat in the vehicle.

Greg, I hope this progress continues and I am sure they know that they are under the spot light, which doesn't hurt either. I have been impressed with their facility from day one, not sure why Levi left there, but that happens.

Have a great Fathers Day.





You're spot on! Controlling the heat getting in is 90% of the battle. In a drop top - it gets even harder! The top on the '33 looked perfect -- but you could put your hand around certain areas and you could feel the heat pouring in. They (Brizio) even brought the factory boys in and had 'em adjust it. Then Sid Shavers designed and had built - a better latch system and that really helped. Sometimes it's also a "sucking" rather than pressure.... It was very hard to get the seal just right across the back (bottom of top) of the car..... if the material tightened up (to make the top look perfect) -- it would pull that seal "up" just enough that it would create a low pressure area and draw the air out.

All of this will be MUCH easier to deal with in the '40 --- everything is new - all the sheet metal is new - and it will be insulated like crazy. Then it will just be door seals.

[GregWeld]

Funny how small business works.....


I needed a seat for the truck - a buddy building one said he used a Glide Engineering seat - which I liked the looks of his.... so off to the 'net to find it. A quick search brought up a website - http://www.waltonfabrication.com/ - but NOT Glide Engineering.... No matter - I called the firm to make an inquiry. Guy (Todd) on the phone is super helpful - doesn't know about all the '40 seats offered - but says -- "I know they (Glide) are setting up at a show today and I'm going (The LA Roadster Show) tomorrow (Saturday) and will go talk to them - and will call you back Monday".

Usually this is a "never happens".....


Monday morning Todd calls --- has all the information I need to make a decision - offers a discount.... has good insight about the product (he just didn't know details on the 40 seat but knows seats in general). BAM! Ordered the frame - the seat riser - the slide.... $1500 sale.

Here's the way I work --- I didn't even shop any other sites -- I waited for him to do what he said he'd do (giving him the full length of rope). He gets the business. As simple as that.

Now --- I did go to Glides website (the right one!) and what pops up on their home page???? Our Brizio built '33 Ford. LOL === What's the odds of that??

I mentioned this in another post... but thought I'd mention it again here in case you missed it. LOL

[Ketzer]

Not to derail on you GW, but I had a similar experience shopping for a one-off crazy driveshaft. One place never answered, another place took info but never called back, the third place (should have been the first) said they wern't sure but would I please call back and talk to the owner. I took a gamble and rang him the next day... Denny at Denny's Driveshaft. Took an immediate and genuine interest in what I was doing, walked me through every detail, helped me get exactly what I needed. He seriously discounted what turned out to be a specialized part he hadn't sold to anyone before and I was his "test pilot"... the best part? He sent exactly what he said he would, when he said he would.
Amazing.



Jeff-

[jarhead]

about the seat sale...

I LOVE that kind of service!

[GregWeld]

about the seat sale...

I LOVE that kind of service!



Me too Joe!!!


From now on -- Walton Fabrication gets my recommendation to anyone looking for a hot rod seat(s).

It's how small business BUILD their business up! One satisfied customer at a time.... How you tear them down.... one dissatisfied customer at a time. I'm the kind of guy that tells everybody I know Good or Bad. I know A LOT of car people.

When I was the Brown Jordan Rep (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Hawaii, B.C.) - I used to do sales training.... and I used to try to get my customers (retailers) to understand one important part of making a sale (there's A LOT MORE to making a sale and it has nothing to do with "salesmanship" - I HATE salesmen).... is that when THEY made the sale.... that customer then has brand new patio furniture on their deck.... their friends can't help but notice -- and they can recommend "your store" -- or, when you lose the sale -- they recommend the other guys store. Each sale has the potential to grow logarithmically.


To make a "sale" --- all the sales staff has to do is to remove the objections to making a purchase by the customer. Such as - can you get the product timely - can you help with technical questions and how willing are you to do that (attitude) - is the price competitive - did you, or can you recommend other solutions (without trying to steer!) - did you pick up the phone right then and get an answer to a question you were unsure about. Want to KEEP a customer recommending your place? When the shizzle fizzled -- did you respond immediately to resolve the issue without hassle for the customer (you must make the bad stuff as easy as it was for the consumer as you did on the sale side of the transaction). The very first question that should be asked is --- How would you like me to handle this? Do you want me to get you a new (whatever) - Do you want yours fixed (immediately) - DIFFUSE the issue by simply showing 100% willingness to make it right - whatever that means for THEM, not you! That's how you get repeat business, and in fact, you're likely to get an even stronger recommendation from a satisfied customer based on how you handled the mess -- not the initial sale.




:G-Dub:

[FaBrycation]

Wanna race? I mean race to see who drives first? Your truck or the Duck?

[GregWeld]

Wanna race? I mean race to see who drives first? Your truck or the Duck?



I'll take that bet... you're gonna regret... <The Devil came down from Georgia>


I just got my first billing from the new shop - Custom Hot Rods of Andice - and they've done an amazing amount of work already. As in -- more in a couple weeks than had been done in the last 6 months (mostly my fault).

Really -- the sheetmetal was in great shape when I picked it up. What needed to be done was the small connections of things - some mounting (ECU and fuse box etc).... and exhaust... the fuel tank to the filler mounted in the fender... headlights (Harley style) - taillights - Door handles and latches (non-stock) - mirrors. Get the stance right (and drivable) - and that will be manipulation of the wheel opening in front.... Then blow it apart and final finishing / reassembly. My guess is -- Christmas of 2017

[FaBrycation]

Sounds good. Can't wait to see the finished product! My goal is January so you'll probably win :trophy-1302:

[GregWeld]

I wanted it done for the GoodGuys Hall of Fame Tour in September and they "thought about it"..... so it's really further along than it appears. It's also a super simple (are any of them really?) build. Pretty straight forward.... and they've built more than a couple of these '40's.

[FaBrycation]

Right on, well hopefully you get to enjoy it sooner than later

[DBasher]

What are you thinking for wheels on this one? Do they need to be larger diameter to clear the brakes?

[GregWeld]

What are thinking for wheels on this one? Do they need to be larger diameter to clear the brakes?



Steel artillery wheels -- painted / powdercoated in a contrasting color..... Bigs and little style.... hoping to get away with 17's and 16's -- but I don't know that CHRA has looked at the brakes and rotor sizes yet to determine the offset and all of that stuff.

I know they'll have to massage the front wheel opening to get me some turn radius AND some stance! I had The Roadster Shop build that chassis with a 1" longer wheelbase ---- so that will push that front tire into the wheel lip. They'll have to cut to cure! LOL

[214Chevy]

Steel artillery wheels

Greg, that's gonna look so damn awesome too. I love those wheels. Please tell me yours will have the baby moon in the middle.....please.....?

[dontlifttoshift]

Thats a terrible pic but that's not a baby moon. Looks to be a 46-48 Ford cap. Baby moons are the plain,ugly caps that come on PepBoys chrome reverse wheels that retail for 38 bucks a piece....

Greg, I know you said steel artillery. The cast center and billet center Artillery wheels from WheelSmith have a much better look than the stamped ones. Just my unsolicited opinion.

With adapter to run small cap.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachments/billetwheelgreenv8-jpg.2618698/

With large cap in 17/18.
http://www.2040-cars.com/_content/cars/images/34/350634/006.jpg

[GregWeld]

Thats a terrible pic but that's not a baby moon. Looks to be a 46-48 Ford cap. Baby moons are the plain,ugly caps that come on PepBoys chrome reverse wheels that retail for 38 bucks a piece....

Greg, I know you said steel artillery. The cast center and billet center Artillery wheels from WheelSmith have a much better look than the stamped ones. Just my unsolicited opinion.

With adapter to run small cap.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachments/billetwheelgreenv8-jpg.2618698/

With large cap in 17/18.
http://www.2040-cars.com/_content/cars/images/34/350634/006.jpg







YEP --- You nailed it Donny!! I was being lazy with my response.

[JON Q]

Salt Flat wheels wouldn't look bad either.

[GregWeld]

Salt Flat wheels wouldn't look bad either.





I did Salt Flats on my Brizio built '33

[Flash68]

I did Salt Flats on my Brizio built '33

Gaetano has Salt Flats on his Nova. :action-smiley-027:

[DBasher]

Gaetano has Salt Flats on his Nova. :action-smiley-027:

Hey OH! That right there is funny...:hello:

[214Chevy]

They make that wheel with the Ford logo's too. I just didn't post them. May not literally be a "baby moon wheel," but I was just sort of referencing the baby moonish type center cap in the middle of the wheel. I've heard them called that before. But, the other wheel is so similar, it's basically the same thing to me and is just as sweet.
https://s19.postimg.org/c2eakt9tb/art_3.png (https://postimg.org/image/c2eakt9tb/)
https://s19.postimg.org/6fhxnc7an/art_4.png (https://postimg.org/image/6fhxnc7an/)

[CamaroAJ]

Dang are we ever going to see pictures of this mystical creature or what? I keep checking back hoping for some pics lol.

[GregWeld]

Dang are we ever going to see pictures of this mystical creature or what? I keep checking back hoping for some pics lol.





I posted lots of pics --- but they're all on that hosting / third party Photobucket -- who -- after all these years - now wants a minimum of $10 a month to host my pics..... and since I only had Photobucket because of Lateral G....... I don't need them for any other place.

Guess what --- I guess I will post ZERO photos here anymore -- because I'm not interested in paying those bozos just for that. I'd rather throw $10 a month in the street.

[CamaroAJ]

I posted lots of pics --- but they're all on that hosting / third party Photobucket -- who -- after all these years - now wants a minimum of $10 a month to host my pics..... and since I only had Photobucket because of Lateral G....... I don't need them for any other place.

Guess what --- I guess I will post ZERO photos here anymore -- because I'm not interested in paying those bozos just for that. I'd rather throw $10 a month in the street.

That sucks. I should look into other ways of hosting pictures too. My photobucket is still working to post pictures, but for how long I'm not sure.

[fleetus macmullitz]

I'll post this here since this forum doesn't compete with lat-g.

Lee Stewart has posted probably 20,000 images here.

http://www.highdefforum.com/car-forum/115098-muscle-cars-1962-1972-a-904.html

I left PB to use the FREE hosting service he uses.

Fast

Easy

Free

https://postimages.org/

https://s20.postimg.org/pcr106z31/IMG_5675.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/5uwdk9255/)

[Ketzer]

At least the new builder still enjoys IG.... :underchair:

[GregWeld]

At least the new builder still enjoys IG.... :underchair:



I might have to get a new Instagram account so I can see how my truck is coming along! LOL

[clill]

I don't get it. You can upload pics directly to this site.

[Che70velle]

I don't get it. You can upload pics directly to this site.

Agreed. I haven't used photobucket in many years. I uploaded directly to my thread from my iPad for the last year of my build...much much easier.
Greg, I started an instagram account about the same time you deleted yours. Start another and post there...and here. Would love to see progress pics of Stella's new truck.

[GregWeld]

I don't get it. You can upload pics directly to this site.



Oh really? You mean like this??





[ATTACH][/ATTACH

[thedugan]

Oh really? You mean like this??





62648




Now thats funny

[waynieZ]

Lol!

[ccracin]

Steel artillery wheels -- painted / powdercoated in a contrasting color..... Bigs and little style.... hoping to get away with 17's and 16's -- but I don't know that CHRA has looked at the brakes and rotor sizes yet to determine the offset and all of that stuff.

I know they'll have to massage the front wheel opening to get me some turn radius AND some stance! I had The Roadster Shop build that chassis with a 1" longer wheelbase ---- so that will push that front tire into the wheel lip. They'll have to cut to cure! LOL

Not to worry Greg, a birdy told me they now have the perfect tool to figure out the wheel fitment situation!!! Hope all is well my friend!

[GregWeld]

Not to worry Greg, a birdy told me they now have the perfect tool to figure out the wheel fitment situation!!! Hope all is well my friend!



YES!!! I'd heard they had one on order!


XOXO

Thanks buddy!

[GregWeld]

More done on the old pig.....


One of the biggest "issues" was the position of the steering column -- which was done by Pinkee's -- kinda obviously without an actual plan to connect it somehow to the transmission and the steering rack. The fix is to modify the valve cover for clearance - as well as reposition the column slightly..... and moving the coils off the covers etc.

And then to machine off the Chevrolet script and add a Ford Blue Oval off a 1934 Ford Pickup.


The rest of the photos are running fuel lines.... and brake

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php4?attachmentid=62666&stc=1&d=1500053992 bias adjuster from the firewall down to under the frame.

[GregWeld]

Not sure why the photo is turned like that -- because it's fine on my computer but when I upload it -- it gets flipped.... Oh well.... you'll get the drift



http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/attachment.php4?attachmentid=62669&stc=1&d=1500054250

[GregWeld]

They've also removed the bed and cut and welded the proper spacers needed to make the bed level and square to the cab -- and also cut and drilled the rubber pads it sits on.


Also welded up a bunch of holes in the back of the cab etc that Pinkee's hadn't done.... so the cab is pretty much buttoned up now.


They also - sorry - no pics yet -- figured out a hood latch system and made the brackets and got that welded up and mounted.

Step by step she's moving forward. More done on it in the last few weeks - than in the last YEAR.... and at 1/4th the cost. Lots of hours for sure -- but real actual hours! Huge difference!

[syborg tt]

Happy to see it's progressing and I am also happy to see the billing is under control.

I like how i did the 70 as it was mostly a driver build and each step/stage was done at a shop and then came back home. I also had a chunk of the work done close to home so I could easily stop by and see the progress and of course take pictures of the progress. Since photo's are time stamped I can estimate the hours worked on the car if I really wanted to but the guys at High Speed, BBT and that Kenny Guy are all pretty much straight up and I never felt that there invoices where out of control.

Step by step she's moving forward. More done on it in the last few weeks - than in the last YEAR.... and at 1/4th the cost. Lots of hours for sure -- but real actual hours! Huge difference!

[waynieZ]

Glad to hear there's a lot of work getting done now, plus the piece of mind just knowing it's moving forward has to be a relief. Now you can tend to some of the fun stuff .

[GregWeld]

Glad to hear there's a lot of work getting done now, plus the piece of mind just knowing it's moving forward has to be a relief. Now you can tend to some of the fun stuff .

Truer words were never spoken Wayne!! Progress is so glorious!


I just want it done so I can go enjoy having a hot rod again. Being carless (other than the track crap) sucks! I truly don't know how people spend years looking at their cars and not having them done. I'd go crazy.