Hello all, While I have been a member of this Forum for quite some time, it is my observation, that with but a few exceptions, none of us actually KNOW each other here. I have learned MUCH in my time here, Thanks to all with more AD knowledge than me (and that might be ALL). While not specifically AD related, I lost my automotive inspiration last week. My Dad. Now, I know all of us have (or had) a Dad, and my situation is not any different from those of you who have lost a parent. It's going to happen. But, in an effort to share what I learned from the amazing man I was fortunate enough to call Dad, and how it shaped me into what I am today, if I may: Dad as a young man was, essentially, a Hot-Rodder and a Customizer. As a late-teen, he purchased a 51 Ford. Which saw frenched-headlights and -taillights, and requisite primer shortly after purchase. To be followed by a Thunderbird 312 V8, complete with Dual Quads. There was a local car-club, I believe I have seen a "license plate" with the club name, of which Dad was a member. There also happened to be a stretch of road in his hometown simply referred to as "The Boulevard" where may Dad may or may not have street-raced. ALL of that changed when he met my Mom. He sold the Ford, after they were married, and bought a "station wagon" to haul around their new son, Me. Fast forward a few kids and a few decades, and Dad started his own business, restoring cars. He was a STICKLER for "keeping it stock". I remember him EXTRUDING STAINLESS STEEL STRIPS to recreate mouldings. Show-winning cars left his exceedingly small shop. Some 19 years ago, he accompanied me on a trip to North Carolina to buy the AD truck I have come to refer to as "Penny". My subsequent plans to "slightly modify it" (meaning chassis and drivetrain swap it- essentially leaving only original sheet metal) weren't met with disapproval. Dad knew I wasn't going to half-a$$ the job. Well, life gets in the way, as it ALWAYS does, and that AD truck named Penny has been sitting in a storage container for... 6 years? Sadly, Dad did not get to see her finished. We had many a conversation about what I was doing on the truck. What Dad DID get to see was the home I built with all the knowledge gained from working with him on home-projects over the years. So, here I am. Mom AND Dad have passed. I guess now I am the legacy. Damn, these shoes are big. If you are lucky enough to still have your Dad... tell him you Love him. Thanks.
Condolences to you and the family. Hold on to those great memories. I wish I had them. My dad was a sh*t. The only thing he passed down to me was a determination to not be like him. Mom was awesome though and didn't deserve that. Andy
