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Skunk Works
Last Activity:
Feb 13, 2014
Joined:
Aug 31, 2006
Posts:
137
Likes Received:
0
Trophy Points:
0
Location:
Valparaiso, IN
Occupation:
Chemical Engineer

Skunk Works

Member, from Valparaiso, IN

Skunk Works was last seen:
Feb 13, 2014
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  • About

    Location:
    Valparaiso, IN
    Occupation:
    Chemical Engineer
    1930 Ford Pickup
    I got into cars because of my Uncle Donny... he had a black 1957 Chevy with Keystone Classics and a 4 on the floor (that you could see the ground through the hole in the tranny hump). He also had a huge stack of Hot Rod magazines... I would lay on the floor and flip through those magazines when visiting his house, all the while hoping for a ride in the 57. That was all before I could read, but the pictures and the rides were enough. It always pissed me off that my arm wasn't long enough - Uncle Donny always drove with one hand and his other arm out the window, elbow on the window sill, fingers on the drip edge, which was the epitomy of cool to my young mind. I did my best to emulate it anyway...

    I bought a 57 Chevy (go figure) when I was 14 using saved money from a paper route and a job bussing tables at a local Mom & Pop diner. I couldn't drive it for another two years, but that gave me time to restore it with the help of my step dad, my uncle and a few family friends. I sure did learn A LOT with that car!!! After I got my license, I drove it all through high school, of course thinking I was the all-time coolest guy on the planet. The attitude, along with the car, got me into heaps of youthful trouble, and it was about then that I also discovered women were a satisfying hobby. That's when the real trouble started... Sooooo, I ended up selling my 57 after blowing the motor and not having any money to replace it (read line about women above). One of the bigger regrets in my life, looking back. I sure do wish I could have that 57 back because there will never be another one like it. My Grandma upohlstered the whole interior and even made a fur headliner at my request (women liked it a lot)((see line about women above))...

    After that, I moved a lot, worked a lot of trade type jobs and then joined the military. I did 8 years in the Air Force working on fighter jet avionics, F-16's and F-117's, hence the username. Finally after getting a degree, living all over the world and being stationed in Kuwait several times, I'd had enough, so I got out, moved back home and settled down. Out of sheer boredom, I bought a Harley and customized it from fender to fender including custom paint for which I laid out the flame job...30 hours with 3M fine line, masking tape and a razor blade... and thus resparked an old flame.

    Also, after about 20 years of trying out the merchandise, I FINALLY found a worthwhile woman with similar interests, values and ambitions. With my life settled and wild oats sewn, I've once again rekindled my interest in cars. I bought a 1930 Ford pickup body (I've always wanted a "hot rod"), hauled it home and began building. It's still in the works, but has recently taken a "back seat" to wedding plans. Cindy (radrodgirl) promises we'll focus attention on the hot rod once the wedding is over. She has a 1961 Sunbeam Alpine and her own motorcycle, plus she started an upohlstery business (Grandma would be proud)!!!
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