guidance from vegas / barrett jackson - Lateral-g Forums

whiplash911 · #1 10-09-2009, 11:18 PM

hello -

long time reader but first time poster ( really didnt have a need to post)

I first need to publicly thank Scott Gulbranson for his help over the last couple of days.

I have flown to vegas to bid on a firebird/trans-am that some of you might know as "empty nest" ( BJ catalog lot number 702. and your own g-machines october 08 car of the month) I first came across the car when Frank and prodigy customs took it to the 2008 goodguys show in columbus ohio and the car has always "peaked my intrest" considering i grew up with a 69 trans am in my family.

now when i ask the below question -please bear in mind that im not new to the "automotive hobby" I currently have a couple of cars in my possession that would be considered exotic and /or vintage muscle BUT i am new to the " g-machines/ restro rod pro-touring aspect of the hobby.

now most have asked me "well do you feel safe in the car being represented correctly and i say based on the research i have done on the car itself i say yes ...... but ..........

my general question to the members is this - Is there anything above and beyond that i should be looking for (problems concerns red flags proof of build quality that go past what one would look for in the market of a musclecar considering the amount of extra work and engineering needed to build this type of car and make it functional.

I am guessing that i will have one last chance to look over the car sometime late saturday afternoon before it becomes crunch time and i have to be on the floor. I am doing all of this work and research from a blackberry and will look in on and read any responses as i walk towards the car for its last look over- any guidance that the members are able to give me would so be appericated

**Flash68** · #2 10-09-2009, 11:37 PM

Frank and Prodigy Customs are both highly respected on this forum and in the muscle car / pro-touring community as a whole. You can safely know that what you are getting / bidding on is a top-notch build with zero corners cut and best parts money can buy.

Best of luck.

67rsconvert · #3 10-10-2009, 12:04 AM

what he said ^^^^.

skatinjay27 · #4 10-10-2009, 02:11 AM

normally when puting down the kind of money for a car like empty nest you MUST be able to see pics from ALL stages of the build to make sure no corners were cut because once its on the ground painted with interior you cant see what beneath it...with that said when it comes to frank and prodigy even if emptynest's build wasent fully documented you cant rest assured these guy DONT cut corners and to make you feel even more confident this car was built for his wife lisa (female car nut)lol and she was there and part of the build everyday and you better damn well believe she made sure EVERYTHING on that car ws perfect!

good luck on your bidding, hope you get the car!
on top of that car being super bad azz believe its really rare sisnce its a true vert.

MarkM66 · #5 10-10-2009, 03:51 AM

If you like it, and want it, that's all that matters.

Bid as high as you need to, or can.

Van B · #6 10-10-2009, 06:43 AM

My bet is if you get it bought, you'll have a couple of new friends in Frank and Lisa and any questions you may come up with in the future will be promptly answered.

**Bill Howell** · #7 10-10-2009, 07:27 AM

Two comments:

You have the advantage of looking back over the entire build on that car. It is well documented for start to finish and has just gone back through the shop for complete repaint to make it perfect and get the road nicks taken care of. That car, like most here has actually been driven, so hence had road nicks.

Secondly, John Parson's car last night proved that real cars, done right are worth the money. Everyone in the community should be proud and happy this morning because now we have proof that correct cars are worth the effort.

Good luck and bid with confidence tonight!

**Steve1968LS2** · #8 10-10-2009, 09:04 AM

This goes for any car you're looking to buy.. check the areas that are hard to see.

Are the rockers painted as nice as the tops of the fenders? Was the color sanding done right, even in the hard to do places?

It's easy to get caught up in the big areas of the cars but it's how the little areas were done that seperate nice cars from great cars. I use to judge show cars and cars won or lost based on the out of the way places.

Frank does great work and he's an upfront guy so ask lots of questions and take your time going over the car.

Good luck with the auction, hope you win the car... But, if you get outbid I know of a nice prowler orange '68 Camaro.. lol

**tones2SS** · #9 10-10-2009, 09:11 AM

There should be a lot of build pics on that car. Frank is a great builder/planner of these cars, pro-touring/restomods. I do believe that this car was built for him and his wife to enjoy. I can almost bet that it is done to the fullest and best that Frank and his company could do.
Frank is truly a stand-up guy and well respected on this forum and other forums as well. Also a sponsor on a couple of forums too. That should speak volumes about him and his word and how he runs his business and Prodigy Customs.
GOOD LUCK!!!

**Steve1968LS2** · #10 10-10-2009, 09:18 AM

Here's the "freshen up" build thread:

http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45622

Original build thread:
http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36086

More:
http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35679

The point is that is a well documented build... Again, good luck in Vegas.. I hope both you and Frank end up happy campers.