gear-head-mike

Bought my first car in the late 60's a 50 Studebaker PU at age 13 for $25 with paper route money. Got a 39 Buick hearse at age 15 and did my first paint and upholstery job green metallic paint, leopard upholstery (my mother's sewing machine was never the same) and Mickey Thompson red wall cheater slicks. bought my first 56 nomad at 16 and my brother got an old leaded chopped 36 ford 3 window and we went in together on a group of cars all needing everything. A 39 ford woodie, 41 ford woodie 40 ford coupe, 2 41 chevy rag tops, 39 ford rag top and a 50 Merc chopped with a Carson top. Other cars came and went including from my brother and me including: 55 crown vic, 59 el camino, 57 and 59 ford retractable 39 buick coupe w/ custom paint, caddie and hydro, 62 SS convert w/ 409 and 4 speed, old custom 48 fleetline fast back, 21 model T center door, 57 corvette, 57 cameo (which I still have) and 56 chevy convertible (still have this one too) all this before I turned 20. We also picked up any flathead speed equipment we could find and buy for just above scrap value. So I've been doing the old car thing since I was a kid. Ended up in ocean engineering and worked on manned submersibles in the science field. Opened an upholstery business where I had the privilege of doing the Aztec (the George Barris 55 chevy) and than went back into engineering with submarines. I love the revival of the nostalgic cars and rat rods and especially with the young people getting into it and getting the skills to build their own stuff. My 56 is my driver and though it's ready for another restoration I built it myself and farmed out nothing but the chrome plating. Growing up if I didn't know how to fix something I'd figure it out. today I do my own body and paint, engine, transmission, glass installation, fab and welding, upholstery and even have a lift and old tire machine in my garage. I applaud any one who tries to do their own work and if it's not perfect at least they did it and it will be better the next time.