Hot Rods Weird but VERY cool thing happened today!

Here are some pix of my personal current project. Started awith a bit rough 46 Ford short door coupe. Someone had hacked it off at the A pillars. Got a nice 48 frame and cowl. Plan is to graft it together, should be pretty straight forward. Installed a Chassis Engineering rear suspension, with a 9" Ford. Front is getting a dropped X member, along with an old dropped axle set up from a "Street Rod" project that went with a stang II. Engine will be a 350 w/ TH400 trans. Steelie wheels all around with 46 caps. I have to build new rockers and lower quarters, then carefullyy graft the 2 body sections together. It will also get a fe subytle body mods in the process, rounded corners, louvered hood, etc. But all trim etc will stay intact. Body will just be a DARK blue suede with cream wheels, firewall dash etc. Should sit super low, and have a real attitude when complete. I hope to be driving it by spring of 2011. Interior will be bare bones unless I get the funds to go " all out" . Later, Rusty.

 

OH, the politician owns The Largest FOrd dealership in Cental MO. so he is kid of a car guy. He puts on Ford cruise in's etc at his dealership. He was a bit bummed out hearing I had a chevy in my 40 Ford.

 

Wow.

Rusty that is one hell of an oportunity. I know you're not dumb and you will do just fine.

You mentioned not being part owner or not having anything invested in this venture if it goes under. True, but the same is to be if it makes a killing. You just get your union wages.

In my business plan if I were in your shoes, my proposal would entitle me to a small percentage of ownership. Not sure how that can be played out with the union. Possibly done in bonuses of stock or something along those lines with a time commitment and maturity. Something like after such a time either profitable or not, you would receive X amount of a percentage of ownership over that portion of the company.

Interesting predicament you are in brother. It's either the best thing you ever did or the worst. Not to be a naysayer, just CYA in all ways. You don't want to go down with the ship, but that's the risk and you want to make some mula if it takes off.

 

Which would be either.

 

Congratulations and Good luck Rusty!! Hows your dad? Had a blast chatting with him while Dave and I pulled the Y-block! Also hows the Ute coming?

 

Dad is building a 38 Ford panel truck right now, about 80% done. I traded off the UTE to another HAMBer, it is currently listed in the HAMB classifieds. I am building the 46 coupe and just picked up a cool little 28 A pickup that is an old SoCal hot rod, plans are to get it up and ruinning in the near future as well. How's your project coming?

 

pretty much done need to buff the paint but have just been driving it! it turned out like I wanted rough race car esque and violent, it'll be at the Drags and will be its first track pass! But enough hijacking, again congrats!!

 

Congrats. That's awesome like a sponsor... That's a one in a million chance. Take it and go for it.

 

Bravo Rusty!

Grab the bull-by-the-balls & make you mark on this opportunity.

We're all pullin' for ya!

 

OK, today I chatted a little more with my boss. Good news and bad. Bad first, the best rate they can charge per hr is $67.15, that is all for the bad, but the good is, I can give a HARD honest hr for that amount, I am well trained and have lots of experience,I have many satisfied customers for references, and certified welders and craftsmen are there along with me, and who else in the area can do tjis kind of work at this quality, and speed for less? Yeah the hrly rate seems high at first, but considering the work that can be done in said time frame, I really think the consumer will be impressed. So here I go, time to start hustleing for work and prove to my boss and owners that this can be a profitable buisness!!

 

Great!

I don't think that rate is high at all. Around here the fab shops charge 65-70.

 

The guy I have weld aluminum for me charges $60/hr, which sounds high when you just think of the number, but he works fast and lays down great welds.

 

great news good luck/ I SURE HOPE THIS SPREADS TO MY LOCAL 218 sheetmetal all the way / at least your shop rate is for a hour of work for a hour of pay no flat rate / I DO OUTSIDE METAL most of the time and build cars in the bad of winter / go union rod shop

 

Still no "Hot Rod" projects yet. I am spreading the word, and once I get some time and a little extra funding I will get some buisness cards and a few flyers. I am still excited, but finding this kind of work in the economy is going to be a little rough. I hope it is not all pipe dreams!

 

Right on, Rusty. Good on ya. Bout time some good karma kicks in for people.

 

Don't get discouraged...you just need some better marketing. Earlier this year, I started advertising my new business on Craigslist, and had very good luck with it. So good, in fact, that I have cars lined up to take me well into next year. I haven't paid one dime for advertising yet...its all word of mouth/referrals, and those initial Craigslist ads.