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Hot Rods Death Sentence

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by blackrat40, May 4, 2019.

  1. blackrat40
    Joined: Apr 19, 2006
    Posts: 1,167

    blackrat40
    Member Emeritus

    I have been casually building a copy of my high school hot rod I built in 1961. It is a '40 Ford coupe with an Olds 324 V8. I have been working on it for about 4 years in my shop.
    Well about 3 months ago I received a diagnosis of incurable Pancreatic Cancer. I thought
    I had plenty of time to finish it. Looks like I have about a year if I'm lucky. So I plan to get
    the project as far along as possible to sell it to raise funds to leave for my wife.
    When my Hot Rod buddies learned of this news they decided to have some garage parties in my shop to push the project along and maybe get it running before I pass.
    What a great group of friends along with some family hot rod guys!
    They won't let me do anything but sit and point what I want done. The chemo therapy
    has taken most of my energy so they insist on doing the heavy lifting. They got the short
    block built last week. The heads are going on next week I think. Stay tuned. Shop Work.jpg IMG_0458.JPG IMG_0458.JPG Shop Work.jpg View attachment 4273197
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2019
  2. RMONTY
    Joined: Jan 7, 2016
    Posts: 2,540

    RMONTY
    Member

    I am in your neck of the woods. Anything I can do to contribute to the project I am in. Just let me know.
     
  3. gary kessler 1932
    Joined: Apr 16, 2010
    Posts: 88

    gary kessler 1932
    Member

    sounds like u have some good friends!!!
     
  4. 62rebel
    Joined: Sep 1, 2008
    Posts: 3,232

    62rebel
    Member

    So sorry to hear your prognosis. Glad you're surrounded by supportive friends.
     

  5. blackrat40
    Joined: Apr 19, 2006
    Posts: 1,167

    blackrat40
    Member Emeritus

    Thanks buddy!
     
  6. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,817

    BJR
    Member

    Sorry to here the diagnosis, this does show who your true friends are though. And it sounds like you have some great ones. If I was closer I would be there working with them too. Best of luck, Brian
     
    exterminator, ConradK, reagen and 8 others like this.
  7. X2 in wishing I were closer.
    Tell your friends thanks for us and good luck.
     
  8. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member

    Well's here's hoping you get to drive it soon, great group of friends you have.
     
  9. Rickybop
    Joined: May 23, 2008
    Posts: 9,606

    Rickybop
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Deuces, Stogy and loudbang like this.
  10. brady1929
    Joined: Sep 30, 2006
    Posts: 9,254

    brady1929
    Member

    You are one brave man. God bless you.
     
  11. lumpy 63
    Joined: Aug 2, 2010
    Posts: 2,603

    lumpy 63
    Member

    Good friends are certainly a blessing...I hold mine near and dear:cool:
     
  12. The hot rod community is the best. I hope you get to drive it to relive your high school days!
     
    jchav62, dwollam, Deuces and 3 others like this.
  13. Dick Stevens
    Joined: Aug 7, 2012
    Posts: 3,710

    Dick Stevens
    Member

    Family and friends are the most valuable thing we have in this life, and with friends like that, you are a very rich man! So sorry to hear of your prognosis, may you get to see the completion of your 40 and a chance to drive it!
     
  14. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    I do not know what to say. I will say a prayer for you and your family.
     
    Thor1, tom in nh, hillbilly and 11 others like this.
  15. OLDSMAN
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 2,422

    OLDSMAN
    BANNED

    You and your family are in my prayers
     
    Thor1, chryslerfan55, zzford and 7 others like this.
  16. Don't really know what to say except that in life, the only thing that really matters is the love from family and friends. I am glad you have such good friends. May God bless you and them.
     
  17. Grandadeo
    Joined: Dec 24, 2008
    Posts: 1,057

    Grandadeo
    Member

    Life would be so much less without family and friends. My older brother went down the same road. Unfortunately he was 1400 miles away and I couldn't be there to help him with his T-V8 project. It now resides in my garage and I'll finish it in his memory. Hope your '40 is up and running soon and you get get to enjoy many miles behind the wheel. The Texas Hot Rod Hundred, put on by the Cross Members CC is not too far off. Great event with a great message.

    Lee
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2019
  18. Unique Rustorations
    Joined: Nov 15, 2018
    Posts: 623

    Unique Rustorations
    Member

    Yeh I’ll second these thoughts. Glad your friends are there to help you and your wife. Good luck and keep us up to date. God bless. Regards, Randy


    Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
     
  19. 47ragtop
    Joined: Feb 8, 2007
    Posts: 663

    47ragtop
    Member

    Pancreatic cancer is a bitch. I have a few extra 40 parts , let me know if you need anything I may have . Later Bill
     
  20. GordonC
    Joined: Mar 6, 2006
    Posts: 3,141

    GordonC
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    God bless you!
     
    Thor1, Charlie51, zzford and 7 others like this.
  21. Very sorry to hear. I’ll ad you to my morning coffee prayer list as well...
     
    exterminator, zzford, dwollam and 5 others like this.
  22. brad2v
    Joined: Jun 29, 2009
    Posts: 1,652

    brad2v
    Member

    You sir are a brave man. I sure hope your pals can get it stuck together in time for you to get out and enjoy it with your wife. God bless.
     
  23. blactrat40 you have to be a great guy to your friends and family, and this time it is payback for you.
    Stay strong and keep the faith, we all are praying for you.
    Keith.
     
  24. Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Joined: Apr 20, 2008
    Posts: 4,670

    Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Member

    Praying for you. Your friends are awesome. I'm sure you'll soon be driving your 40! Keep us updated.
     
  25. loudbang
    Joined: Jul 23, 2013
    Posts: 40,276

    loudbang
    Member

    Sorry to hear about your problem. I have been following your build and hope that with the help of those GOOD friends it can be finished.
     
  26. LM14
    Joined: Dec 18, 2009
    Posts: 1,936

    LM14
    Member Emeritus
    from Iowa

    I absolutely know what you are going thru. A year ago when I went for my final follow-up appointment for kidney cancer (had my left kidney removed in 2009 and been good ever since) they found it had returned. Re-occurring kidney cancer is considered incurable. They gave me 6 months to 3 years to live. I had started my '32 5 window build about 6 months before we got the news ( https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/my-32-5-window-project.1104121/ ).

    I've had friends drop what they are doing to help me out. It's a humbling feeling. Car friends are the best friends, they know what that passion feels like.

    Keep your spirits up, enjoy every day and make the most of them. Hearing those words from the doctors really takes the air out of you (I hit the floor, literally). It's not something I would wish on my enemies.

    Stay strong, keep us posted and you will find you have a huge extended family here that understands at least some of what you are going thru. Drive that '40 and maybe I can drive down in my '32 for a visit.

    SPark
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2019
    brEad, Thor1, swade41 and 20 others like this.
  27. s55mercury66
    Joined: Jul 6, 2009
    Posts: 4,335

    s55mercury66
    Member
    from SW Wyoming

    You have some very good friends, @LM14, you too. Your diagnoses leave me at a loss for words right now. Will be watching though, praying also.
     
  28. trollst
    Joined: Jan 27, 2012
    Posts: 2,108

    trollst
    Member

    Well, I hope you get to drive that 40, even if its just around the block, these people are truly your friends. All the best, hang in there.
     
  29. WB69
    Joined: Dec 7, 2008
    Posts: 1,958

    WB69
    Member
    from Kansas

    I know for fact that not only myself but many others would love to be there to help you on the 40 if only we could! Since we can't, I for one will say prayers for you, your wife, family and friends. Keep strong my friend and hoping that you get to drive and enjoy the old girl for many miles. Please keep posting pictures of the progress so we all can feel a part of what is going on and send strength your way.
     
  30. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    @blackrat40...very troubling opening this thread up to read this. I extend healing thoughts your way and hope for a return to full strength for you to tackle this very difficult battle. It's really awesome for the help and comradery that has arrived to help with your struggle in life.

    I cleaned up this cool old pic of yours and splashed some color to it for you...
    May the strength of your younger self return to fight this beast...

    Regards, Stogy

    Blackrat2.JPG

    Hamber Blackrats Thread below...

    https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/building-the-black-rat-40.1083061/
     
    Last edited: May 5, 2019
    Kan Kustom, Thor1, WillyKJr and 28 others like this.

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