It is with much pleasure, Prodigy Customs present, Project EmptyNest! With our official debut in a couple hours at SEMA, we wanted to give our Internet friends a advance look see, and be sure if you cannot be at the show, you see it all. many of you already know the specs on the car, but I will lay out a quick overview again.
This 96 day project started in mid July with a 67,000 mile rust bucket. Project EmptyNest was built for and by my wife Lisa. when I met Lisa 23 years ago, she had totaled her 66 mustang Street Racing, and came to me to build her another with the insurance proceeds form the totaled mint Pony. Long story short, I blackmailed her into going out with me under threat her paint job may not be as good if she were not my girlfriend, and 23 years later, I still find ways to keep her, LOL! The premise behind the project is that Lisa had to put her muscle car days on hold when we had too many kids (3 boys) to fit in her sports cars, and now that the kids are groen, and now that Michael our youngest is a accomplished car builder, it is her turn. After fully supporting and watching father and sons dream of Michael's first car being a SEMA show stopper, it was only fitting that Michael build a hot rod for mom since it was his birth making 3 babies, One too many to fit in a 2 + 2 anymore, forcing her to give up her hot rod!
Lisa very much wanted to participate in the project, do a few things, learn a few things, she did not want this car just handed to her. Lisa got down and dirty right there with us. Lisa is a girlie girl, just the way I like them, but she is not afraid of much including torches, plasma cutters, welders, grinders, saws, see did it all! Michael and myself did the lions share of the work, with a lot of help from our awesome staff at Prodigy Customs, and some really good friends that all busted their asses. Some employees even donated extensive over time hours. And we have a rule at Prodigy, we help those that help us. And we try to give back two fold to those that give to us. So all the employees and friends that donated and helped on their own watch, now have Michael's, Lisa and my own services in their debt.
We need to thank all the employees that had a part in this project.
My brother, David Serafine just came to work with us 6 months ago to help Michael run the shop. David is a accomplished fabricator and has a lot of management skills obtained from running some non automotive type businesses through the years. David really enjoyed this project and has un believable amounts of after hours, and day hours in the last month, in this project. And being his first full build with the family, I think he has some special pride in this project. David, we could not have done it without you! Lisa and Allison, thanks for loaning us daddy and hubby!
Andrew Stephens, Andrew is one of the original Prodigy's and is like a fourth son to me.Our family has a special affection for Andrew's incredible work ethic, loyalty, eagerness to learn, and ability to absorb information at a alarming rate. Andrew was a part of the Project Prodigy build, and at 18 years old, stood beside then 18 year old Michael at SEMA 2005 with Project Prodigy and Billy's Goat. 18 years old and 2 cars at SEMA, put that on your resume! Andrew is our everything guy. He often says he wants to change his name in these thrashes because everyone wants Andrew for something or another. I am so proud at what a tremendous painter Andrew has become in just a few years of my training. Andrew did a little bit of everything on EmptyNest, all while busting ass on some added details on the Prodigy Vette, which he painted 6 months ago. Andrew is the heartbeat of Prodigy Customs. He is going to college to be something, I am really hoping he just decides to build hot rods for selfish reasons! Andrew, you are the man, Project EmptyNest would still be a dream without your help. And BTW, Andrew has stored a LOT of labor credits! And because of Andrews Loyalty, Andrew gets a build of his own next year. A 86 Monte Carlo SS.
Matt Pighini has been with Prodigy for almost a year now, and is a excellent bodyman and can paint also. Matt did a tremendous amount of the bodywork after Michael and Davids fab to make EmptyNest look as straight and smooth as it is. Matt also did the body sculpting on the Prodigy Vette 6 months ago. Matt, you did a excellent job and should be proud of yourself. 2 knock outs at SEMA in just your first year with the company, Thank You my friend, I hope we made a dream come true.
Ray Zimmerman is the newest Prodigy, just 21 Years Old. Ray came to us a few months ago and new nothing about cars. Hired to sweep the floors and do daily maintenance, Ray has slowly been eased into the shop and has a strong desire to learn the ropes. Ray has a LOT of hours in just that last few days pulling a couple all nighters to help get things done. While he does not know much right now, he really busted ass doing what he can, his loyalty and dedication showed, and I think next year at this time he will have a entire new skill set.
And while he is family and a partner, I really have to our son Michael for everything. Michael is a iron man. I certainly dDO NOT want to belittle anyone else's efforts or contributions. As hard as everyone worked, and as many hours as many worked, some 100 hours a week for a stretch, No one in the company has even close to the hours Michael has in this project. I figured out building Project Prodigy that Michael is the only person I ever met that could work as much as me, and now he can easily run circles around me. Son, you are fricken amazing and we cannot put into words how proud your mother and I are! Thank You so much, and as soon as we get back from SEMA we will start working on Prodigy to take care of the 100 horsepower deficit Project Prodigy has to Project EmptyNest to make sure mom does not kick your ass in the car you built her, LOL!
There is also a list of friends that really through into the project.
Bob Traithon is my paint advisor and helps us in so many ways I cannot even know where to start. On a daily basis Bob is checking on us and is ready at any moment to do whatever favor, errand, advice we may need. Bob, thanks for all your help. Your an incredible friend.
John Parsons and I have known each other for a few years on the forums, but only met and started hanging out in person for the last year and a half when he moved to Orlando. John is a amazing welding and fabrication talent and helped last year with our Project Eternity for SEMA 2006, and pitched in HUGE on Project EmptyNest making the complete awesome headers and exhaust system, along with some other little fab projects. John, your one hell of a friend, and you definitely have some coins in the Prodigy labor bank. Michael, Lisa and I owe you big time. So lets get you another project going!
Mike Norris is one of the worlds foremost authorities on LSX engines, and handles our fuel injection tuning / dyno runs and has become a great friend. We talk almost everyday and help one another with business taking advantage of one another connections and knowledge. Mike has a few long nights working with John on the exhaust, and tinkering with the new blower and underhood goodies on the Prodigy Vette. Thank You Mike, you came through when we needed the help.
Kevin Fessel is someone I found a few years ago by accident almost when building Project Prodigy. I needed some billet engraving done and Kevin is simply amazing. He made a bunch of stuff on Project Prodigy, and while I do not want to inundate him with sponsor request, I have to go ahead and say we never saw a bill for what would have been thousands of dollars work. We never asked for these pieces for nothing, he insisted and has become a real friend to Prodigy. Kevin again answered the call when I needed a last minute shifter bezel for EmptyNest. I should probably be thanking his wife because rumor has it this little project absorbed a entire Saturday until the wie ours of Sunday morning. Thanks Kevin, your a true friend! If you ever need anything you know how to find me.
So without further ado............................................... ......
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
Prodigy Customs presents Project EmptyNest
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