How'd you get started?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 5, 2008 | 08:57 AM

#61

sdetweil

Hotshot

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 11,591

Likes: 14

From: Pflugerville, tx

My first job was as a mechanic.. I loved it, my wife hated the grease. I stopped that 30 years ago.. (switched wives too!)

After we moved to Texas, my son turned 16,and he fell in love with this blue 66 chevy (don't go there) pickup he saw that was for sale. We decided heavy metal was better than new, and I could work on it with him..

power steering, move the gas tank out of the cab, dropped spindles and rear springs, new cam, heads, intake, carb, tranny and seats later, I realized I liked this stuff again.. good way to get away from work stress.

looked around and the F100's seemed to be where the most discussion was.. and found one only 150 miles away.. 8 years later almost finished with the outside!.. moved to a house with a detached garage just to have a workspace all my own. recollecting all the tools I let go.. (still have 5 from the first job!)..

Hardly anyone does this anymore that I meet, so its still something different to do as well. new neighbor is working on a 49 chevy 5 window to stock. fun to talk on common project tasks.

Sam

Jan 5, 2008 | 04:18 PM

#62

e william

Elder User

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 929

Likes: 0

From: S.C.

I have always believed there are too many cool cars and trucks out there to settle on any one or two in particular for a long period of time.
My wife and family actually believe I am in the witness protection program and have to keep changing in order to stay ahead of the bad guys!!!
I was actually looking for a 50's Chevy truck when my current 54 ford caught my eye, a one way plane ticket and a 7 hour drive to beat an ice storm home and here we are!
Ed

Jan 6, 2008 | 03:22 AM

#63

Oz52F1

More Turbo

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 533

Likes: 7

From: Melbourne Australia

Tinkered with a couplke of 70s cars when I was about 18.
Went to my mates' parents' farm when I was about 22, and there was a big toothy grille sticking out of the prickle bush wrapped around their junk pile......I clearly remember thinking "Thats the tuffest looking thing I've ever seen!!!" so I arranged with the brother-in-law to take ownership, and started buying rod magazines trying to figure out what the hell it actually was.....a month later, I went the 400 miles back up there with a trailer.....the brother-in-law showed me the 20 flatheads he had lined up in the shed,.....then decided that I couldnt have it coz "he might do something with it one day".

So I started looking for my own,.....I pulled into an all-night gas station that I had no reason to go into, and spotted an Auto Trader magazine....an import company had one coming over for $4000.....I went there at 8am to put down my deposit.

It took 2 months to arrive in Australia, and the guy was so 'stand-up' that he knocked $500 off the price for my patience!

Jan 6, 2008 | 03:29 AM

#64

Oz52F1

More Turbo

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 533

Likes: 7

From: Melbourne Australia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussie 53

My first desire for a 53-56 F100's came from watching the idiot box. Everytime I seen a movie with a fat fender ford pickup in it, I to use dream and say....I got to have one of them some day.....since these pickups are not as regular as roast dinners in Aussie, you grab one when the opportunity comes around if you want one.....2003 I managed to purchase one and have never looked back.

I already had mine when Forrest Gump came out...I was the only one cheering when the rednecks tried to run down Forrest

"RUN FORREST ....RUN"

I wont miss him with my 351 Cleveland...Im even thinkig about stamping on "Gimp-logos" as nose art representing KILLS!

Jan 6, 2008 | 08:17 AM

#65

havi

I'll have the Roast Duck

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 9,622

Likes: 108

From: Northshore, MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oz52F1

then decided that I couldnt have it coz "he might do something with it one day".

How many times have we heard that?...lol

Jan 6, 2008 | 08:49 AM

#66

xfordman

Elder User

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 863

Likes: 2

From: Grain Valley Mo.

Horizonal shaft, 2 cycle engines changed my life when I relized they could be mounted an a bicycle frame. Being young I pretty much wanted, and had, one of everything. Two things I didn't like were 53-56 Effies and girls named Theresa. Yep.....you guessed it. Rod

P.S. if you don't like it. modify it...I nicnamed her Tess

Last edited by xfordman; Jan 6, 2008 at 09:03 AM.

Jan 6, 2008 | 09:34 AM

#67

raerjim

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 1,696

Likes: 1

From: S.W. Florida

My wifes Uncle up in West Virginia was a helluva guy and hot rod builder. Over the last 29 years that we've been married, I have seen a variety of vehicles built in his shop, (we go up twice a year) the last one being my 55. A heavy smoker, he contracted lung cancer, and after an 18 month struggle, succumbed to that scourge. The 55 sat over a year with no TLC as his situation deteriorated. I bought it to keep it in the family after he passed. I derive great pleasure from owning and driving it.

Jan 6, 2008 | 10:09 AM

#68

Dadsf-21952

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 106

Likes: 0

When I was maybe 5-6 my dad had a 53 f-2 that we used to hawl fire wood. He evan managed to put my mother into labor while going for a mountain ride. Basically after realizing that the od trucks were the "brick **** house" I was hooked. the hard part was finding that special one i wanted to do over, so I got 2 for now!!!!! Have fun Casey