Project Pistachio - (scratch-built) '64 Fiat 500

[HWY Nova]

Todd,

I like SolidWorks so much better. Wildfire was coming out right as I was switching over. I have not seen the latest Wildfire run.

I'll send you a PM later.




--Eric

[rustomatic]

What happened?

[toddshotrods]

Originally Posted by rustomatic

What happened?

All of my projects were training tools for a non-profit program I tried to establish. It gave high school and college students hands on experience building this stuff, under my direction. Unfortunately we failed to fund the program, or get any real cooperation from the schools. All of the projects were cancelled, and sold off; mostly as parts. Sorry.

I am still building my electric motorcycle, but it's beyond the scope of this forum, so I haven't been very active here.

[rustomatic]

Well, there's another strike against young people having cool skills. There's always the minimum wage route after high school...

I'm guessing that we'll see some cool stuff from you outside the scope of non-profiteering, however...

[toddshotrods]

Originally Posted by rustomatic

Well, there's another strike against young people having cool skills. There's always the minimum wage route after high school...

I'm guessing that we'll see some cool stuff from you outside the scope of non-profiteering, however...

Most of these kids were on their way to make good money, as most were engineering students from universities. The mechanical engineering and industrial design kids ate this stuff up, and were thrilled to get the opportunity to actually touch the materials, rather than just doing simulations on computers. They were in the shop working on 90-100+ degree, humid-Ohio, summer days - because they wanted to be there...

The schools all said things like, "this is awesome", and "just what we need/are looking for." When it came time to put their money and time where their mouths were though, they went with the typical software-oriented programs; I think mainly because it's easier to get through the bureaucracy, and actually get them approved.



As for me, other than my bike, I don't really have any plans for new projects. I have been putting all that drive into my (design) client's projects (mostly non-automotive). I would love to be contracted to design a major hot rod project someday, but most of the big builders seem to keep that part of the process in-house, other than art. Maybe I'll develop a relationship with an owner/collector someday, that likes my work and can convince his favorite builder to...

[toddshotrods]

You know, now that I think about it, it's funny that you revived this thread, and said this:

Originally Posted by rustomatic

...I'm guessing that we'll see some cool stuff from you outside the scope of non-profiteering, however...

Thank you.

I stuffed all my remaining stuff in storage back in January, and committed myself to focusing on client's projects, instead of my own. I was just sitting here mentally taking inventory of what I have left, and where I might go in the future.

Out of all my former projects, this one is the actually the most likely to be revived; or something very similar to it. I have front and rear suspension systems, my go-kart quick Appleton rack, some power/drive train parts, etc. I also remember seeing Smart cars running around, and thinking that I would love to stuff a couple 345s under the back of one, with an ungodly amount of power twisting them, rockers about three inches off the pavement...


It would take an aligning of the stars, but it is possible, someday...