So where did you guys start out?

I ruined every Matchbox car I had, from poppin'em apart and swapping out the tires.... Then moved on to bicycles, and hammered six sets of forks on my columbia. Got a job as mechanic at 18..........and so on.

 

in a walled in lean to by our garage with no roof, but somehow we didn't mind at all

 

i started a thread like this last year. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=430576

but heres my hard work at 7 years old

 

Here ,s the very first thing my brother and i threw together
35 yrs ago i got it running 235 in it and he painted it

 

Started with model kits at 5 and still do ever since, then the bicycle which I made rear fender skirts with simulated 1959 plymouth fins, rear 1959 Cadillac tail light, front spotlight, all at the age of 11. I then moved on to cars when I got my '85 Olds at 15. Still working in the backyard, 19, now saving but getting a jump start working on my latest project from my Dad - 1963 Chevy 2 door Biscayne.

 

wyotech!

 

Times two. Sounds a lot like my life. It is truly wonderful being at a place where I can be doing the bulk of my own work again. ...not looking forward to having to pay for a lot of work that I can now do for myself, but it may come to that.

But mainly, if you want to be doing this kind of work, just keep doing it!

 

Started out just tearing bicycles apart when I was 7-8 yrs. old. Got a few friends who wanted things changed on their bikes, and moved on to motorcycles before I was old enough to drive. Dirt bikes could be driven in the hills and backroads, so I tinkered with them until I bought my first truck at around 13-14 yrs. old.
By the time I was old enought to get a learner's permit I was fixing my family's vehicles. No car guys in my family, so I was the go to guy when my dad or older brother needed something fixed. Right out of hi school I went to work for the local Cadillac dealership and they sent me to the GM Training center.
Worked for the Caddy dealer until Uncle Sam called and when I got back home I decided to do something else for a living, and keep the car stuff as a hobby/side business. Just been playing at it ever since, and never ever lost interest.