Hello, My name is Chad, I live in Gunnison, CO. I'm not sure where to start, but here we go. I've been wrenching on cars since I was a kid. I grew up working for a guy who restored GTOs, in Columbus, OH. I also had a father & step father who were car guys, but not hands on. I've been around lots of restorations, GTOs, Porsche's and more. I've considered myself a shadetree mechanic, until 4 years ago. I sold a retail & service business (hot tubs, stoves & fireplaces, & billiards), and started working at a Chevy dealership bodyshop. I've learned a lot, and now am considering starting my first hotrod project. I've always dreamed of building a real hot rod (please be kind if I'm using the wrong lingo), educate me, that is why I'm here. I've built a 74 Bronco into a rock crawler, and trail rig. I know that is a different world from here, but I've learned a lot since I bought it in 95. It is highly modified, and I still plan on more to come. Now the nitty gritty. I have a friend who has a 39 Plymouth coupe. He is ready to part with it, and he wants me to have (buy) it. It is in Grand Junction, and I haven't seen the car, but only pics. I've done some googling and love the looks & lines of the car. I have 2 old pics of the actual car, and it looks to be in good shape. He says he has all the chrome, and from the pics, all the windows, grills, etc look to be in good shape. I'm not looking for specifics, I'm not sure what direction to take this car. I have respect for straight restorations, but I think I want to do something more to this. Part of me wants to go all the way with a modern driveline, suspension, chopped roof, etc. I also could be talked into a restorod, but I really like the looks of these cars with the roof chopped. I'll have to wait till I can actually get the car back to town and crawl around in & under it. I don't expect to even see the car for at least a couple months, and it will be years to build it. So I'm just getting started, but I'll be reading from here on out to fill my brain with ideas. If you can provide links to pics, builds, etc I'd appreciate it. I've never done a chop or anything, so I've got lots to learn. Thanks, in advance, if you can help point a newbie in the right direction. I know how to search, and plan on spending lots of time doing my own reading.
Welcome from the west coast of Florida. First Great introduction!!!!!!!!!!!! Sounds like you have a very strong interest in cars. This site has a great deal of information and tech stories. Best of luck with your projects.
Thanks guys, I've already found a ton of good info here. I'm questioning the chop already. Looks like I've found a pretty sweet deal, judging by the condition of the car and the asking price. If its in as nice a shape as it appears, it probably won't get cut up much, and most the stock stuff (chrome) will get reinstalled. When we go get the car, I'll start a build thread. If I can scan the old pics, I'll start the thread sooner. All opinions will be welcome, and appreciated. I always tell people, I have a "car problem", like some people have a drug, or gambling problem. I love everything, cars, trucks, new, old, US, Euro. My only real problem is lack of money and storage, otherwise I'd just keep adding to the stable.