John,

This is looking more like my schedule too. All these events will be a first for me.
You can then pull me aside and show me your engineering marvels. I'm a rookie, however, I know detail!

PS. Heck they should put you on Modern Marvels TV show.

R.P.

Design committee
 

The design committee is a group of friends that I trusted with color/texture/presentation issues. When I wasn't sure what I thought, I'd convene the design committee and we'd kick some ideas around. Sometimes they'd split on their recommendation, and sometimes they'd be unanimous in what they thought.

I'd take those ideas and incorporate them, or change them, or ignore them, but it was very very helpful to hear their opinions. Luckily, they'd tell me what they really thought, not what they thought I wanted to hear. I only trust a few people to tell me I am an idiot. :) Sometimes, I'd ignore them for awhile, and then come around to their manner of thinking. Sometimes it would work the other way around.

I started this project thinking I'd do it all myself. I've learned that's nearly impossible, and a few buddies' support can really help you build a better car.

jp

Very funny, but true.

R.P.

aint that the truth!!

It's funny, but I know exactly what you mean here. While niether mine nor my my father's cars are to the level of detail of you (amazing) car, and they are of a different style, maintaining a constant theme can be quite difficult. Sometimes we come up with ideas that, upon further reflection, don't mesh with the overall design we had in mind. This can be especially true when it comes to interior and paint. As an example of what I mean, a wild paint job with a stock looking interior doesn't "flow." Since each of our cars is aimed at a different design theme, what would work well on his would look out of place on mine. It can all be quite nerve racking!

You did an awsome job! Please get us some real pics asap, I need more for my screen saver!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"
www.FQuick.com/ProTouring442

That's one of the most intriguing parts of car building for me is the path a person takes to build their project. I truly love looking at the finished product and the levels of craftsmanship that is in this industry today - but I also greatly enjoy the back story of the design, selection, and building part of the deal too. How someone decided what to build, how to build it, what parts they chose, what engineering fore thought went into their decision and why, and I really like hearing about the struggles we all go through balancing costs, time, family, work, compromise, little garage - to big shop, tools, technique, friends help - to me (and maybe I'm just strange ??) that as much of the story as the awesome car at the show. Any one of the above items in the list will stop you dead in your tracks (especially the money part...) When you get to see the progress pics available via technologies (like this valuable site and others) and read all the back story details - you simply have to have a huge respect for those folks like John who can make it though all the perils and challenges - and STILL deliver an unbelievable car. Thanks John for the build ride - - and the car !! Thank your committee too - they done good. :hail:

Jim

Well said Jim. I could not agree more.

Totally cool car,it's nice to see something besides a camaro.did a great job,color is very refreshing.

The 1st year I have missed the PRI in 10 yrs,It pissed me off they moved it Orlando.

As said earlier...Very well written Jim. I personally enjoy seeing what it took to get to the finished product than just seeing the finished product.

Brent

If you guys remember, my front suspension article is written that way. And it's a credit to Johnny that it came out that way. He hated my first submission, and told me to re-write it to tell the story of how the suspension came to be. It was much easier to write (at least for me) instead of writing to make sure to plug all the manufacturers.

I've got an engine story that might be similarly interesting, but I've struggled getting the tech data right. Perhaps some day.

jp