Amature Marks
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Amature Marks
I was thinking, This is my First truck, 1955 f100, im restoring, Im twenty years old and learning as i go about the do's and dont's. But when you have it finished or complete enough you will start showing your truck at old car shows, what do judges or you guys in general look for that shows this is not an Amature Truck, Just little things thats make a "big difference" type stuff.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
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From: Valley Center, CA
Fit and finish make the first impression. How smooth is the paint and how do the gaps look? Rattle can interior painting usually turns out just OK. Paint the interior with a real spray gun to give that finished look.
Short cuts like a plywood bed bottom won't be impressive to the judges.
To get a real handle on the best upgrades, you should attend as many shows as possible and see which trucks win. Talk to the owners and ask questions about how and why they did something the way they did.
Good luck, Jag
Short cuts like a plywood bed bottom won't be impressive to the judges.
To get a real handle on the best upgrades, you should attend as many shows as possible and see which trucks win. Talk to the owners and ask questions about how and why they did something the way they did.
Good luck, Jag
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,093
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From: Brentwood, TN
It is very hard for an amateur to produce work that doesn't appear amateurish. Jag makes some good points, I would add that you should start out basic...master the fundamentals of wiring, welding, body and paint...then move on to the creative side. A well-executed poor design is just as hideous as a poorly-executed great design. Look at other vehicles and get a good idea of what you like and what you don't. Once you know what you want then work incrementally at developing the skills to produce that level of expertise. It may be that you just paint the bed strips...but if you do it exceptionally well then you gain expertise and confidence to move on to bigger things. Good luck....
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
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From: Valley Center, CA
Charlie reminded me of something. If the goal is too lofty, then the likelihood of the project being finished is lessoned. Good, basic, achievable designs are much more often completed than granious under-funded designs. And, if you do well on this first project, you'll have confidence and skills to undertake the next project. Keep us posted.
We like pix!! Jag
We like pix!! Jag
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,286
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From: NM
Guys with show trucks can back me up here, but I'd guess you can't have a concours stock truck for less than $20k, if it was a pretty solid truck to begin with. For a custom show truck, $30-$40k is easy to spend. Do you really want a show truck, or something you can drive and use and enjoy? My truck isn't show quality by any means, but I still worry about dings and chips, something I need to get over to fully enjoy it. Sometimes I wish it had a patina old paint job and some rust holes so I wouldn't worry about it when I drive to Home Depot.
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Im not really bulding a "show" truck, Im doing everything original, all stock, except for the sterio. 
. I was just curious in what people looked for that made a truck look "finished" compared to "amature"
Thanks for all the info.
P.S. how do you post pictures on threads?
. I was just curious in what people looked for that made a truck look "finished" compared to "amature"Thanks for all the info.
P.S. how do you post pictures on threads?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Burbank, WA
It's all in the details. A quality, professional looking job will have no stone unturned. Every piece will have had some kind of work done to it, either painted, plated or polished. Wiring will be neat and orderly, not looking like a spaghetti factory. Using quality paints and materials make a huge difference. I've always liked the saying, it's either right, or it's not. Even as a young person, you can do this. It's not rocket science. It all depends on if you're willing to put the time and effort into doing it. I was younger than you when I started working in body shops. I worked my way into custom and street rod building shops and building show cars. I know you can do it, if you put your mind to it. Just by asking the question, you've shown the initiative.
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It's all in the details. A quality, professional looking job will have no stone unturned. Every piece will have had some kind of work done to it, either painted, plated or polished. Wiring will be neat and orderly, not looking like a spaghetti factory. Using quality paints and materials make a huge difference. I've always liked the saying, it's either right, or it's not. Even as a young person, you can do this. It's not rocket science. It all depends on if you're willing to put the time and effort into doing it. I was younger than you when I started working in body shops. I worked my way into custom and street rod building shops and building show cars. I know you can do it, if you put your mind to it. Just by asking the question, you've shown the initiative.
I've learned so much, how crossing certain ignition wires will cause a fire, lol, Almost lost the whole cab!!!! And with every busted knuckle, smashed finger, thrown tools', and cuse words i've yelled, i fall in love with it even more.
Ill keep ya'll updated.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,571
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From: Oxford, Indiana
I think Wayne says it best. If you are doing a stock restoration, the biggest thing you can do to set your truck apart from the others is RESEARCH! Lots of it! You want to learn as much as possible about the original condition and appearance of every part and piece as you restore it. This level of detail becomes obvious when it carries through the whole truck. This forum is a good resource for that as are the original shop manuals and sales literature. I've even found that studying pictures of trucks for sale on eBay to be a valuable tool for figuring out what belongs where and what doesn't. Read 'til your eyes hurt, study every picture you can find, and ask lots of questions here. It makes the difference.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,873
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
When I first starting building my F-2 I was 18 and had dreams of building it to show quality, no part untouched. I soon lost the enthusiasm for doing that when I realized I'd never be able to afford it and if I could I'd have so much into the truck I'd never be able to enjoy driving it. I went to my first shows, small truck and car shows, and parked next to people with more money than skills. I'd started looking at there photo albums and would ask how they did this or that and most times their answers were, "The shop I took it to did that". I realize then it was better to build a truck to enjoy because I would never be able to go up against the deep pockets.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...-pictures.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...-pictures.html
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 593
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From: Wichita, KS
You can have a show quality truck for less than $20k, but you'll invest a lot of sweat-equity! My brother probably has about $15k in his and has had a 6 page spread of it in CCT, so it isn't all about the money spent. It's more about the time spent. Time going over the details. That's what I look for at shows. I like to look under the dash and under the cab for things like rat's nest wiring. That, to me, makes an otherwise great looking truck ugly. There are a lot of 40 ft trucks at shows. And there's nothing wrong with that. A daily driver doesn't "have" to be perfect. But, you asked what we look for. That's what I look for.
Dave
Dave
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