Tomorrow would have been my dad's birthday. Unfortunately for me, he's rebuilding "babbit pounders" up there. For us older guys, do you remember what we did "back then" to research what we work on now? Endless hours of combing through "Hemmings" and "Cars and Parts" magazines to find leads on someone "close-by" that had a NOS 16" wheel for a '40 Chevy coupe? Or reading an original copy of Chevy's Master Parts and Accessory Catalog? How many of us old timers have sent self addressed, stamped envelopes to get info or paper catalogs? I'm pretty bummed out right now because my best freind, my teacher, my master mechanic and body man can't read this. He never, ever put a repop on a vehicle; it was either original or NOS. if he couldn't find one of those, he made it. For all of you guys who still have your dad there to help you (Kevin, you know who i'm talking to), learn from him. Learn from guys like Nate, Neil and Coilover, and give them credit because if they had had the resources available, i.e. the internet, back then, you guys wouldn't have the cars and trucks available to you today because we would have lapped them all up! And one last word of advise, don't believe everything you read on the internet! Research, question, dispute and don't take it for granted that what you read on the net is gospel. Sorry about this posting, but hopefully, i put a smile on a couple of faces and a thought or two in other's minds. Thanks for being there!
_SO- true ! I usta-did know the location of every scrap yard and junkpile in 300 miles around . I'd make regular pilgramages out just looking to see what had turned up since my last visit . I still always carry pen and paper as I never know when I'll get an addy , 'phone # or just one of those wierd " it's over yonder behind Ed Furnley's old barn that burned down in '72 ~ in Canyon County , just off old Rt. 66 ya know " typ directions , I always go look as I find the damndest stuff cheaply . I also often hang a " wanted " sign on my back when I'm out cruising swap meets and shows , etc. as that really brings out the unfound stuff ~ you'll be amazed at how many folks have good stuff just sitting and they never thought it was worth anything . Ken , you're lucky to have had a dad who was : A. a Gearhead and B. interesting in spending any time with his kids . Good topic .
I definately cherish every moment I get to spend with Dad and him showing me how to fabricate a kick panel or rocker panel or anything that just needs to be made. I've seen my dad make some crazy stuff before and I can only hope to be as half as good as he is one day. I feel very lucky to have someone to teach me the things that he does. Nate, I know what you mean about those behind a burnt down garage and down the hollar kind of directions. Being from Kentucky that's about the only directions you'll ever get. You should see the hole I had to dig my '32 chevy coupe out of. Most people would laugh at me for it but I think you guys would understand. And for $50.00 who could turn down that price. I get a lot of great information through the net, but when it comes down to it, a man with real life experience is better than any thing else. So when dad says it won't work the way I want, then I drop the idea and start thinking of another way. Like I said before, I'm just a young pup trying to soak up all the infor I can.
Of Dads & Projects Heck yeah we understand ! saving some old junker is where the fun is atfor me ~ you oughta see the pile I'm currently using as a daily driver . '32 Chevvies don;t grow on trees ya know , more's the pity too . I know a guy who has a '32 Chevy Coupe hot rod , it's been re-powered by.... a 261 with triple C@rter YF's , has all original Fentons and miller stuff all over the engine and he runs it sans hood to better show it alll off ~ goes like stink ,too Don't ever give up just 'cause Dad says ' no way ' ~ my son often shows me new things or how to do something maybe a bit better or incorporate new tech into one of my old nails....
Well, firstly i don't think i deserve being mentioned in the same post as the likes of Nate and Coilover, im not in the same league as those guys, im just a Brit who's never learned to leave things alone, gotta take it apart and find how it works! Secondly, my dad, even though he was a toolmaker for most his years, didn't teach me a great deal, shame cos hes soon to meet the big fella upstairs, rather it was my grandfather who let me sit in his shed watching and get involved while he fixed up stuff, he hated buying new when the old was still kicking. I used to love working on his old Austin A40, then go for a run when we cleaned up. I think it isnt always yer old man who teaches you but just people you meet along the way, the hard bit is spotting the ones who are really great guys from the ones who just dont quite cut it. Ive had many a great tutor in my time but to quote my ol granpa " learn with your eyes and ears sonny, not yer mouth!" If you dad is one of those cool guys who is a genius with motors, i envy you, but dont ever be disapointed with him if he aint! that was my mistake and its left a distance between us sadly. I think you NEVER stop learning, a mistake many a young pup makes. Neil ________ BMW 3 SERIES (E30)
When I mean that Dad says that won't work, I mean that usually he'll let me try something and see if I can do what I picture in my head. He likes to see the creative side of me in custom trucks. Usually I can explain it to him and he will watch what I am doing and try to show me a better way. As far as the engine part goes. I can do it all except for carb's. They scare the hell out of me. Fuel injection is so much easier and I understand it so much better. I think it is because of my lack of experience with the carb's. Dad has several friends that build cars and when we all get together to work on one, it's usually a great time. This past weekend we sadly lost one of the "crew" to cancer. He was a smart man and will be missed greatly. As far as my 32 coupe goes. I'm going to rat rod it. It's in pretty bad shape and would cost major $$$$ to try and street rod. So I guess with it I'll go with the evergrowing trend and make a cool looking rat rod. But the 48 comes first and the 32 won't be touched until the truck is done.
