From August 21st to August 26th of 2005 Jesse James of MONSTER GARAGE in Long Beach, California assembled six automobile customizers from various parts of the county to customize a 1951 2-door Cadillac Old School Style. On the super talented team were: Frank DeRosa Sr., 79, Pittsburg CA Frank DeRosa Jr., Pittsburg CA Darrel Starbird, Afton, OK John Aiello, Pacheco CA Jeff Myers Ark City, KS Dennis McPhail, Wellington KS A majority of the builders on the team being from automobile customizing Hall of Fame alumni from all over the United States. Also included on the build team was Bill Hines, 83 years young from Bellflower CA, adding his Old School leading skills for 2 days. The super talented Jesse James worked right along with all of the guys (and ate his meals with us also). The marathon build began on Sunday morning when the 1951 Cadillac arrived on a flat bed truck . Billy Cad Man Gibbons of the famous ZZ Top music band was also on hand to consult and help with the design team. Soon the entire build team began to energetically tear into the old 50s piece and over the next 5 days and nights totally transformed it into an even more cool and beautiful creation! Everyone had a job to do and helped one another to achieve our common goal of succeeding with building a radical style custom that none would forget. The project was chopped (after discarding the hard top roof) and a frame for a new carson type top was formed. The body was sectioned through the rear, the tops of the doors were rolled to achieve a sleek look, air bags and new suspension were installed to front and rear ends for an easy ride, a Ford rear end was installed and new set of skirts were hand crafted by Darrel Starbird and Frank DeRosa Jr. Mean while, the master craftsman Jesse James installed a new front clip that held a new 500 horse power engine. New custom vents were formed at the front of the rear quarter panels, headlights and tail lights were customized. All the while, the film crew from the Discovery Channel shot the entire working time on this project; day and night with 2 ground cameras and 1 large overhead camera that sort of snuck up on you like a bill collector! All meals, drinks and snacks were served on the set of MONSTER GARAGE so once you arrived on set in the early morning there was not a reason to leave until the late nights when your work was finished for the day. All of us builders agreed in unison that we had never worked harder, faster and been so pumped up to achieve our goal of completing a project on time and with the absolute best quality to match. The film crew acted the same and really kept the morale going when it got tough. It truly was a "labor of love" for all of us, Jesse James included. When the deadline came for completion, we were 1 1/2 hours ahead of schedule! We each received our paychecks and a promise of a MAC tool box with power tools included with an estimated worth of $4,400. Happily, we didnt have to experience the shame of failing and having Jesse James tow our project to The Crusher with the sole purpose of being destroyed. This master piece of custom work performed by the all star crew will air November 21, 2005 on the Discovery Channel. Ask Frank DeRosa Sr., and he will guarantee you that Jesse works as hard as the crew and knows the trade well. I have worked on many, many cars in my lifetime. I honestly have to say I had so much fun doing this project! It brought a renewed hunger alive within~As demanding as it was to do in a week, I felt ALIVE and couldn't wait to get to work! I couldn't believe how "pumped up" I was about this build and working with true artests such as; my son, Jesse, Darrel and Bill along with the other men. It was a great team effort by all. Copy Written By: Frank DeRosa, Hall of Fame 2005 SHOP ADDRESS: Frank De Rosa & Son Customs 1090 Harbor Street Pittsburg CA 94565 925/439-5115 **If you write please send to: 172 Yosemite Dr., Pittsburg CA 94565
Would luv to see that team in action, especially after seeing some of the Derosa's handy work. I just hope they are able to make the car the way they want, and not the way the show wants for rating purposes.
When we went to the Starbird museum the weekend of the HAMB drags, Darrell was telling us about it. he had just gotten back from the filming. He said he was a little concerned that they were going to turn the car into a "rat rod" though. Ha ha ha
and mcphail too! he's a total rockstar!! every now and then i wish i had cable... and then i remember how much work i DIDN'T do when i did!!
Last night was a rerun, the flying sports car, according to the tivo guide at least. I hope it wasn't wrong I didn't tivo that episode due to the rerun status.
According to the TV scedule, it will be on the first of next year. I'm looking forward to the show. http://dsc.discovery.com/tvlistings/series.jsp?series=23686&gid=9239&channel=DSC Happy Trails, Mick
FYI~Jesse called my dad about a week ago and told him that they had just finished the car. We don't know quite when it will air...but check the discoverychannel.com to check the episode calendar. First of year so it seems looks like the air date. I will post if I find out.
I was flipping through the channel guide and saw that Monster Garage on the high def channel and the channel guide stated the episode was "Old School Cadillac", but when I went to the show they were building a VW bug drag car?? Talk about culture shock!
I cant wait for the caddy build to air. Not to thread hijack but the light blue vw that Jesse drove onto the set in the VW drag car build used to be my car. He bought it from me in january.... not that it means anything...
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