Guest Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 I'm a car-aholic. I have the oppurtunity to buy a Jaguar V-12 coupe, Alfa Romeo Spyder, and MGB convertible for less than 2 grand. Don't get excited. It's not what you think. None of the cars run (duh) and they were all used as parts cars in the past. Mostly for stuff like seats, convertible tops and fenders. Well the Jag has had it's electrical system spirited away (what a joy that would be to rebuild), the Alfa has no windows (guess what that interior looks like), and the MGB, well let's say frame up is a understatement. The Alfa features a warped head and cracked block. These are parts cars at best and here I am struggling to come up with a reason not to put a deposit down and pay for them over the next few weeks. I have 4 projects in progress, I don't need this extra work. How does this happen to me? I still have to come up with thr $900 to buy a flat head Ford and 4 speed tranny from another member of this board. This is for my planned 32 Ford hi-boy hot rod. Yet, I'm in a "moral dilemma" of leaving this euro iron sitting. I just want to put them inside and keep them from deteriorating more. Maybe it's guilt from the 4 cars earlier this week I can't go get. Maybe it's a mental illness, who knows. Anybody else have this problem? How is it that nearly hopeless cars (that's being moderately generous) seem to invite themselves into my life? Does it happen to anyone else? Folks around here know I'm into this stuff and call me up. Don't they realize this is like giving a pot head 10 secluded acres and a green house? Time to go think about it..... <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 First off, if this Forum had a "Rookie of the Month" award you'd win hands down.I really enjoy your posts, yes, you are a true car nut. I'd take a pass on these three cars. There are better places to invest your money, nothing worse than being car poor when a GREAT deal comes along. I had a $200.00 V-12 Jag coupe I got at a yard sale. Tried to sell it for 6 months, finally sold the rear to a rodder for $300.00 but he had to take the car with it. The frames rot out big time around the rear mounts. That flathead & tranny will take up a lot less space, and they look better than three wrecks in the yard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 My thoughts exactly. If I disassemble 3 more cars (holy cow) I'd have to buy a cardboard box factory or something. It's just hard when people call you up or stop in to see you about some old european car they have. I'm the only guy within maybe 300 miles who really has an interest in these cars in other than perfect shape. Theres plenty of folks around here willing to drive a Mercedes, only one willing to spend the time and money to restore one. It's crazy. I get offers like this once or twice a MONTH from places as far away as Amarillo. It's tough to say no all the time. It puts me out for a few days and then I move on. I guess that's my niche in life. It's kind of funny though I get calls for cars I don't necessarily need but then I find cars I have to have and they're too valuable to sell. Go figure that one out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6219_Rules Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 I have a similar problem, Euro...I LOVE cars, especially old ones and I would own 5 or more if I could. Problem is, I am a TERRIBLE mechanic. I just have no feeling for it at all. I do my best, and learn as much as I possibly can, but no matter what I do I still only get by. You should be pleased and proud of what you can accomplish. How many people rescue dogs, cats, horses, elephants, old furniture.?..you rescue old cars. I say that is wonderful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 I actually farm out a lot of the work Randall. I rebuild every mechanical component on the car. Engine, transmisson, axle, brakes, electrical, etc. Stuff like upholstery I farm out. Theres so many shops out there that can do a better job than I can. Chrome gets farmed out. I do all my own body prep work but have farmed out the final paint in the past. I'll probably shoot the Mercedes myself though. Theres a guy in Pennsylvania that can do amazing things with steering wheels. A shop in Ohio that can resurrect any kind of dash. Things like that I send to a specialist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6219_Rules Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Would you be interested in rebuilding my 35000 mile 346 cid flat head V-8? It needs a basic overhaul to replace valve guides and rings, seals etc.. I would love to have it done so it can stop LEAKING. <sigh> I'd like to have it painted properly. It has all new wiring harness made by the Rhode Island Electrical company. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />Cost???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 If you bring me the parts I'll build it for $150 if it doesn't need machining. I'll probably be able to hone out the cylinders with a hone on a power drill. Let me know. I can have it done in a weekend. No big deal. I noticed you're in Colorado. I can meet you in the middle. Say north Oklahoma, southern Kansas. In the panhandle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Eurocarnut, Boy that last response of yours was a mistake. Not putting down Randle, but your free time just went out the window with your projected cost on the rebuild. I guarantee you'll be swamped with work in a year. WAyne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6219_Rules Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 I am afraid I would have to agree. Unfortunately I could not possibly do anything until Spring given my finances. I, too, have several projects "cooking" as it were. But I do appreciate the offer very, very much! Thanks, europeancarnut...can I call you carnut for short? <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 Euronut, or is it Euranut you are one sick puppy. I love it. Like Wayne said, if you have a talent don't give it away. Or you'll be working on someone else's stuff all the time. BTW, any VW's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 25, 2003 Share Posted September 25, 2003 I charge full price for daily drivers, or late model plasto-boxes. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> However if it's somebodies hobby car I'm generous with my labor. I know the debilitating cost of the hobby. I have talent and I want to give back to the hobby I love. Nearchocolatetown, I'll work on 1 cylinder mopeds and 4 cam Porsches and V-12 Jags, and anything inbetween. I'll even build a Lamborghini engine just for the experience. If you bring it and the parts I will build it. Hell I'm building a 500 inch Caddy for a buddy for free. That way he'll owe me when I need a F-350 King Ranch to tow with. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> For the same guy I'm chopping the top and doing the body work in lead on his 55 Cadillac. He's paying me $300 for that because that boat is going to really cramp my shop. Plus theres lead, gas and welding rods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 You want to watch how loud you talk about wacking a Caddy roof on here. Not everyone appreciates that kind of stuff. I hope it's pink and black, my fav Caddy colors. How bout some pics when you do it, maybe some in process. Kind of like the Monster Shed of Texas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6219_Rules Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 I have no problem with him whacking his car. It is HIS car after all. I saw an eBay car for sale at $35000 I think, a rare, one of 9 or something early thirties Dodge and the seller was very proud of is customization. It looked like a good hotrod. A classic? Oh my no. But that is OK...that just ups the value of the other 8 and he is a happy man!! I would love to see the finished car too..NearChocolateTown, I love Pink and Black too. The 50's were so bright and inventive. Not like now where you have beige, blue, grey, biege grey, beige blue, and green beige. Oh well...it was a time to admire, rather than emulate I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 This is a 30 dollar Cadillac bought with only body and frame. Only 3 doors were included and there was no hood. It was either going to become a lead sled or go to the crusher. If anybody is pissed about us saving this car to sled it they need to get over themselves. There was no way this car was ever going to be restored to new condition. Nuf said, let's move on. We're going to put Mustang II IFS in it, a Fat Man fabrications kit. Ford 9 inch rear end, with a 4 link. It's going to be powered by a fuel injected 500 inch Caddy motor that should make 650 horses at the flywheel after I'm done tuning it on the dyno. Power will be sent down a Jet Performance 4l80e transmission. I said six speed stick but hey it's not my car. We're using stock height and spec suspension (Mustang II specs) for ride. However the car will get a 2 inch body drop. The roof will be chopped 3 inches all the way around, headlights frenched in. The whole car will be smoothed in lead. I'll be sealing in the factory back window. In it's place I'll be putting a split back window. It's a window kit intended for late 40's VW Beetles but it looks so bitchin I just had to put it in. He got a replacement hood from Arizona (along with the door) and I'll be building a funtional cowl induction hood out of it to accomodate the big motor after the body drop. We got some reproduction taillights for a 59 Caddy and we'll be mounting 3 of those vertically on each side. Running light, brake light and back up light. All emblems will be shaved and I'm building the grille for it (car didn't have one) and then it will be sent out to chrome. That will be the only chrome piece on the car. I'm building roll pans for the front and rear. The car will eventually be matte black with high gloss purple flames outlined in white. I'm going to shoot it myself and it will be one of my first paint jobs. The car will then be sent to a custom upholstery shop for a white leather and wool carpet interior with purple pin striping. It will have old school 15 inch smoothie rims and wide whites. Expect to see the car completed in the 2006 show season. I'm starting the body on Sunday and it will take about a year. I'm making $300 on the lead and body work, then it will come back for paint when it's ready and I'll probably charge $700 for that. It's all about using your talents to give to the hobby. I could never open my own custom shop because I wouldn't make any money. I don't even see it as work. It's like being a artist. I just like it so much. I work on other peoples cars for 8 hours at work and I come home ready for more. I love it. I work on something for a while then I wander on over to the computer to see what's cookin. Then go back and sand and paint some more. For me it's a lifestyle. A lifestyle I chose and worked hard for. Don't hate me for hot rodding, I also restore. Chocolate, man I wish I could post pictures but I'm kind of superstitious. I had a 61 Ford and I showed it to some people. Next day a shelf toppled over and smashed the fender I just straightened and primered. I had a 71 Mercedes and I sent some pictures to the local MBCA of the freshly rebuilt engine. I put it in and it leaked like a sieve. That NEVER happened to me before. Now I keep large tarps handy for when folks come over to chat. I cover everything up that's in progress. I guess my ladies are modest. I take a ton of pictures while they're in progress and keep a journal of the day's activities. When I'm showing my 59 220 at Hershey in a few years come on over and say hi. We'll get a cup of coffee and I'll show you the albums. Hopefully you'll see the Caddy in Hot Rod magazine before then. Hey it doesn't hurt to dream! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> OK, that chassis black should be dry by now. Let me bag it and put it in the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 Euronut, I'm selling my business and moving in with you. I think I can make a good living off of what you don't charge. I'll take care of all your billing for you, feed you, house you, and I'll call you.."George"! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 Wayne, the major problem with opening a custom shop is cost. To make a profitable living at this I'd have to charge about 12 grand for the body work I'm doing on the Caddy. If I worked on that thing 10 hours a day 6 days a week I'd have it done in about 2 months tops. As is I'm working on it a couple nights a week for a few hours. How could I make a living at custom stuff? It's just not possible. There's not a big enough customer base. People that have custom cars built are people that have a ton of disposable income. I just can't see making it work with a small client base. Then again I'm a fabricator, engine builder, restorer, hot rodder, tranny builder, etc. not a business man. I see a ton of cars like the Caddy everytime I go salvage yarding. I think man that would make a hell of a ride if I did... I wish I could build one of a kind cars and sell them for profit. I just don't see it happening. Shoot that Caddy is getting so much custom stuff done to that it it will cost close to $50K in parts. You figure in a solid 8-12 months of fabrication and assembly as labor. Man I'd have to sell that car for $100K+ to get a living out of it. I can't even fathom somebody spending that on a 55ish Caddy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'll call you.."George"! </div></div>WTF??? <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6219_Rules Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 That was in reference to John Steinbeck's character in "Of Mice and Men", Lenny and George.Is that car talk though? <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 Never read any Steinbeck. That must be something they teach in the junior or senior years of high school. Now I have to go to the library to find out what it's really about. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6219_Rules Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 You hit the nail on the head. It is one of the classics (recognised by the CCCA no less) which just about every kid reads in Junior High english lit. I read it and the "Pearl" when I was 12 or so. It's an easy read but one hell of a good story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amphicar BUYER Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'll call you.."George"! WTF??? </div></div> That line is from a Bugs Bunny toon with the big furry creature. I do that to my sister all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 Randall, I'm not having any problem at all with what this cat's all about. Anyone that interested in cars is just fine by me. Euronut, if I ever get to Texas I'm looking you up. You can't be that hard to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nearchoclatetown Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 BTW Euronut, Do you get Custom Rodder in Texas? Sounds like your kind of magazine. Back in the late 50's my cousin had a 50ish Ford convertible, Buick side trim, sittin in the weeds, wide whites and spinners, skirts of course put a venition{sp} blind in the back window. My dad really hated that car, maybe that's why I like sleds so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 I can probably find it at the news stands. I'm doing the fender skirt thing too. Except these will be welded in. I also have to recontour the front fenders a bit to allow the wheels to turn. If theres ever a flat the car will need to be jacked up on the frame and the whole axle dropped. No big deal as this will be a show car trailer queen type of thing. Well Rod (owner of the car and a apt name too) came over and said he wanted the back doors converted to suicide but pillarless. Like a late model F-150 Super Cab. Ordinarily this will be do able, just require some planning. However on this car the door handles and locks will be shaved. Of course it has to be fully functonal. I got the graph paper out and I'm racking me head as to how to make the poppers and everything work right. I told him if he could find me a undamaged F-150 Super Cab to get parts off of maybe it could be done. He has money and I fear he'll find the Super Cab and I'll have to make good on it. He wants it to be a real show stopper. Heck I thought it was a outrageous amount of work anyway. I hope he stops thinking and dreaming... The thing is once you start doing this much stuff to a car body it's likely to require days, even weeks of tweaking so all the doors open smoothly, shut tight, it looks even front to back and side to side. At least I get to write my name on the rear roll pan so everyone will know who did it. Big Bob Custom Fabrications Texas USA. Well, by then it may be Oklahoma. I may get a better paying job up that way. I hope it pans out.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB-ed Posted September 26, 2003 Share Posted September 26, 2003 You guys can get all sanguine about that Dodge hot rod on eBay and that guy's right to cut it up. But please note that he is bidding on the same year and model of car in stock condition on eBay right now. That car and body style are not all that rare, it's just a load invented by the seller. The eventual buyer will be advised of the truth.... He's probably buying up the competition in hopes of getting his $35K for that trashed Dodge. Then he can trash another one and try to sell it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R W Burgess Posted September 28, 2003 Share Posted September 28, 2003 Yep, I did it again. I'm on the road for a couple of days and Randall starts thinking that I read Steinbeck. Amplicar's right. I used to love those Bugs and Daffy shows. Why can't life be that simple anymore? SpongeBob, Squarepants anyone? <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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