I'm still around, I just don't come here as often since it appeared to me that a lot of the darksiders have moved on. I've always liked building things in unconventional ways so my truck is a Heinz 57 build. It has parts from all the major manufacturers, Japanese parts as well as some parts off a Mayline drafting table. The console was built from thin cheap luan plywood which bends easily and the cloth covering that I applied fiberglass resin to gave some of the curves. The cover to the storage compartment is a thicker piece of cherry wood. the wood that is under the shifter is just a thinner piece of cherry that fits into a recess that I created in the fiberglass. I haven't done much as far as the console goes due to working on other pressing things that seem to pop up like a massive leak in a bathroom that required me to replace some floor joists, sub floor, build new cabinets , new plumbing etc.........

 

Drew, I would consider myself a darksider, aka hotrodder, who uses whatever I can or I can modify to fit the current need. I always like your take and have several of you ideas/projects earmarked. So don't be a stranger and keep providing your valuable ideas and insights.

 

Same here, Drew. I've always enjoyed your build. I appreciate stock and custom, and have built both. Please don't feel unwelcome.

 

Drew...I'm a darksider and our trucks almost match

 

So does mine

 

Hey Drew
There are still darksiders present. I'm not the fabricator you are but both you and I still enjoy a trip to Express Pull N Save U pull it yard. Chuck (Charlieled) out in the Nolensville area and you are both great fab guys here in the Metro Nashville area.

 

Good to hear from you. Yes I do enjoy going over to the salvage yard and looking around for things that might find their way into my truck.

 

I fall into the dark side of things. My poor old truck is a mish-mash of bits and pieces from several different manufacturers. My tastes in trucks varies from the pure bone stock examples to the full blown barely recognizable customs and everything in between. I really enjoy seeing stuff from guys like you that have the artistic eye and the talent to make it all come together. Your work and your truck are amazing.

 

I appreciate your response. I enjoy seeing vehicles in stock condition and if my truck had been even close to being untouched I would not have changed anything, but it was a rolling pile of junk and I didn't think I could possibly doing anything that would make it worse.

 

Drew,
I hear ya. Thats kind of how I ended up with my truck. I had a 1949 Pontiac Silver Streak that was in decent condition. A pretty decent driver. It was in too nice of condition to start hacking up into a hot rod. A guy offered me $600 cash and a pretty rough 49 Ford truck. It was the perfect deal. I was looking for something that I could hot rod without feeling bad about cutting into. The rest is history.

Coincidentally, I was cruising Craigslist last night and found my old car for sale;
https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/c...715517434.html
It's a bit rougher that when I got rid of it and has a different hood. This guy says he's had it for 15 years. I did my deal back in the late 90's so this guy must have picked it up from the guy I did my deal with.

 

Some of us Dark Siders are still here. I fall into that category with my 49. 289 with C4, 9 inch with side pipes and hood ornament.

 

MMM darkside . We have cake .

 

I just returned to FTE after several years! I think my last post was in 2014 a lot has changed. I have forgotten how to post photos and most everything is in my I cloud account that is getting over full. I have several things to do to get the old truck in totally legal condition and have gotten waaaayyyy over the darkside line with this thing.boxed frame full coil over suspension,Mustang 2 front end, tubbed box roll pan 37 Ford tail lights, gas fill door in the feft rear fender, 351C @ 11:1 with (mild cam) hand built SS headders and 3" exhaust to the rear of the box, custom gauge pannel + switch pannel below original dash. removeable firewall and trans tunnel for maintenance, 4 wheel non boosted disc brakes with E brake (1973 427 Vette master), GM metrics from mid 80's caddy, Mini cooper seats and many more changes. I have already changed springs (now 300#/inch ) on the rear coilovers to get the truck to actually suspend as I was a bit weak in the back. I can't think of much other than the majority of the sheetmetal that I have'nt changed. Things I would have done differently, the fuel door should have been installed on the top of the left rear fender instead of the side (it fills slowley and is very low to the pavement. several other things that will be changed: Battery box is too tall and needs to be shortened 2" lower above floor so I can lower the seats 2" I am pretty big for the F1 cab. I hate my fuel pump it is a noisey Piece and cost too much, Holley Blue but is probably my fault with no vibration isolation so will re-mount. The dark side isn't for most because you have to be either wealthy and moderatly skilled or crazy and too stupid to know normal people don't change everything and eventually finish (I know I never will) bought project June 2010, got running November 2023 I still have not installed the glass that I bought in 2014! I have way too much time and money in this truck! I built and flew a Sonex airplane in less than 4 years this is harder.

 

Cookies, Beer, too!!!