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70_Fastback: RAT ROD - 193x Ford / 1942 GMC Truck

You need to move out of our price range using discretionary funds and get into those that have money to spare. Your skills can get you there. Maybe hook up with a shop to do some "at home" work so they can get you some exposure. Don't wait. My Dad waited until he was 70 to start making things and ended up shipping scooter parts world wide.....then he was gone.
 
"70_Fastback" said:
I totaly understand, and agree Pete. I'm just wondering if Kansas is the place to do it...
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You're centrally located for easy access to all 4 corners of the U.S. What could be better? Word of mouth and the internet make the location irrelevant.


Dooooooooooo ittttttttttttttttttttt!
 
There is plenty of cash being spent despite economic conditions by guys on their toys. Pete has a valid point too about the target market. How many stupid dollar bikes have been built in the past ten years?

There are multiple markets there for the taking. Guys with bucks who can't change their own oil but want a cool car. Working guys who do not have the skill to do the work but the money to pay others. And lastly, guys like me who might be able to do the work themselves but whose current situation just doesn't afford the time.

I go back to my first post. Do good, honest top quality work and you would do fine. When your rat is done and you take it to a few shows you'll find out. Once people see what you can do they will come to you. Guys will be asking you to do this and that for them and you could build it from there...but you have to start the business planning now. You seem like a smart enough guy (probably at least the smartest one from Kansas on this board!), you'll figure it out.
 
"70_Fastback" said:
I would SWEAR that you have been talking to my fiance' (shut up Rick) - she is saying the exact same thing.


And thanks for the sincere words as well.

My main concernt about doing that type of venture is that it's an area that is greatly affected by the economy. Times get tough - what is one of the first items that you would cut? Typically toys.
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mine presented the same arguments a few years back . she was the one who finally kicked me in the ass & made me quit my "day job" of 20 yrs & start building cars.

the economy really hasn't had any effect on me. luckily, the people with money are still playing with their toys. i have people fighting to get scheduled in & the phone never stops ringing. the trick is to get your name out there & people will take notice. i got mine out there mainly with the work on my dads truck. after it was chosen as one of the 5 "outstanding use of color" picks annually by PPG & put in their ads & posters for a yr, all i had to do was lay some business cards on the running board at some shows. word of mouth & references are your best friend. those go further than any flashy ad.

oh, the "nick jr." award also helps me a bunch too. once i tell someone i hold that award, they are sure they want me to build their car!! thanks guys!!

call me if you are serious about doing this & we'll talk....
 
"70_Fastback" said:
I totaly understand, and agree Pete. I'm just wondering if Kansas is the place to do it...
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Well, it's not Yukon, OK but I still think you could do alright.
 
"Daves69Coupe" said:
this build thread alone has made me wana build a 50s era Ford Pickup.
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Yep, me too.... but it hasn't made me want to hire someone else to do it.


My $.02....

Rat Rods are cool as all get out, but it's usually from the result of the owners original imagination/craftsmanship. I don't believe the Rat Rod crowd are the type of people to farm out their builds to a shop. At least not enough within a 500 mile radius to operate a successful full-time business.
 
"SELLERSRODSHOP" said:
oh, the "nick jr." award also helps me a bunch too. once i tell someone i hold that award, they are sure they want me to build their car!! thanks guys!!
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You're welcome. :nk


"SELLERSRODSHOP" said:
call me if you are serious about doing this & we'll talk....
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And I may have to do that. Thanks for the offer.
 
It is the skills that are marketable.....not just on rat rods. Of course, we won't talk about the person side......

I might suggest that in the final finishing of your rat rod, just do a clear coat on the frame and some other special work areas to show off you abilities. Might help get the ball rolling on someone else's project.
 
"70_Fastback" said:
How tall is your diamond'd area though?



edit:

And that steering shaft is 3/4" OD diameter. I finally got that speer-o-matic column taken apart and mic'd the shaft.
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the diamond area is 14" longx7" wide. i'll check that shaft later.
 
"SELLERSRODSHOP" said:
the diamond area is 14" longx7" wide. i'll check that shaft later.
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That would not fit real well, in a lower corner, being that tall - that would put the ford script a minimu of 8" from the bottom.

I may have to use just the letters only.
 
Been a while since I updated and actually made any progress too. I spent all day Saturday at the swap meet selling stuff. I cleared about $255 dollars after paying for my rental space. I cleared out almost all of my excess mustang parts.

I finally meandered my way out to the shop mid-day on Sunday.

I was going to work more on the inner bed structure frame work, but I decided to start over because I didn't care for the look of what I had done so far (which I never shared because I was torn on the look). So I cut everything back out and started over. I decided to eliminate over half of the steel that I was using.

I settled on just starting at the bottom structure below the tailgate - which was rusted and gone anyway. I had temp'd in that one cross brace to keep it somewhat solid.
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For the lower cross structure I used two (2) pieces of heavy angle iron and formed a 'C' channel and spanned from side to side, tie-ing into the side reinforment uprights. I worked in a curved roll pan into the structure as well with a recessed license plate housing.


26_20_09_10_9_17_56_0.jpg

26_20_09_10_9_17_57_1.jpg

Driver side still needs to be skinned & finished.
26_20_09_10_9_17_57_2.jpg

The recessed license plate housings is pretty deep. I'll have room to install a little LED license plate light
26_20_09_10_9_17_57_3.jpg

The curved end with the dimples is where the tailgate hinges go - hence why they are not dressed up better.
26_20_09_10_9_17_57_4.jpg

I'll dress up the plate area a bit more when the opposite side skin is on.
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The license plate may hang down too low though... LoL
26_20_09_10_9_18_08_1.jpg
 
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