hello was wondering if anyone is working on a hot rod project that would be willing to have me watch learn even help out...i am willing to do anything to help out really want to learn so someday will be able to complete a project Thanks jon
That is exactly how I learned to do Body Work. It is called an "Apprenticeship" I ***isted a good friend when he was giving his show car a year long make-over for the next car show season. This was back in 1977. Jim coached me and guided me through many different procedures with lead to hammer and dolly work, patch panels (homemade) and welding. Learned how to chop tops, sunken antennas, taillights and tag recesses. Jim and I are still friends 36 years later. Try to locate a custom body shop and start off sweeping floors. Good Luck, Jeff
Put an ad in Craigslist, go visit some shops, talk to the owners. scout around look for open garages with work in progress...as a kid I would bike down to the local garage/ body shop and watch them work...
x2 Go up to any shop that you like and talk to the owner and see if they will let you sweep the floors and take out the trash. Very few places would turn someone down that wants to do the jobs no one likes, just be prepared to not get paid. Do a great job and whatever they ask and you'll probably find yourself in somewhat of a schedule with them. The very first race car place I worked at I did this and after a couple of years ended up running a lot of the ch***is dyno work and tuning several cars. I also got a chance to learn from the owner how he ported cylinder heads and did a few myself. The first fuel funny car team I also did this . . . polished the wheels, polished the headers, wiped down the frame with wd40, scrubbed the wheelwells, cleaned parts . . . It wasn't until my 3rd race that I got to move up to doing the clutch and was at the right place at the right time. Also helped that I was doing machining in school so I already knew how to mic and run a grinder.
I don't know anyone in your area,but your on the right tract. keep looking around and read everything you can until you can get some hands on.
I came to East Hampton area, and met a fellow who had a rod building shop. It was in 2008, and I'm trying now to recall, it may have been on rte 66. His place was on a major east-west two lane state road, with three cars being built there. So at least there is some activity you can scout out.
Thanks for all the responses...if you guys hear of anyone let me know..i am gonna start looking around and scouting some garages out...I would do anything to get some knowledge i dont mind doing any work...i just want to learn and take it all in. jon longmeadow ma
another place to look is around your area and find a active car club,,there are usually several guys building at any given time. HRP
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