ANY independent businessmen can absolutely relate to what these guys are saying. Truer words were never spoken here. Small businesses and businessmen created this great county, support them with your business!
I'm a mechanic and handyman that owns my own business. There is so much good information in this. It's not a glamorous life to do your own thing, but it is the last freedom you can have. Know how to do something most people can't, and you can command your destiny.
This is great. Uncle Tony and Jim are getting to the heart of what many aspire to be and do without looking past the 'glamorous' aspects of the dream. The passion for working on beautiful cars of the past is easy to come by, but it's another thing to sit quietly and ponder exactly how strong of a life commitment it takes to follow thru when the passion wanes a bit during times of difficulty.
I didn't realize my passion for cars until I was in my 30's. We grew up poor so I had to learn how to keep my cars going cause I couldn't afford to pay someone else. I learned everything the hard way. Never had the right tools or enough parts. I drove some things that would've never passed inspection. But they got me where I was going. And most of the time back home. I've worked at mechanic shops, detail shops, and body shops and I like doing all of it. But my favorite thing to do is custom fabrication. I've done something to customize every vehicle I've owned. I haven't done enough to be good at it. But when I do something, people seem to like it. I'm 42 so I know I'm not gonna own my own shop or anything. But I would like to get at least one custom project completed. Right now I'm just doing a little bit to my daily driver so it's hard. But I'm determined to get the right car and turn it into my dream car. And hopefully get to drive it at least once before I die.
I understand completely. I couldn't afford shit and had to keep it going myself. I think your first car dictates your style. Mine was a 71 satellite sebring plus with a 383, my path was set
Those reasons made me quit running the shop, I was 25, I never slept, Sometimes I'd leave and go to the shop in the middle of the night and work, I lost weight, I'd be hanging out with family or something and thinking about the shop, it pretty much consumed me I couldn't handle it and burnt out. It took years before I wanted to even touch my projects again it was bad, I refused to get rid of them. Now I'm thinking I want it all again....
like when I was in the restaurant business, you frickin marry the business, period. and what I once loved, after many decades I started to burn out from and eventually despised it, then I quit. I loved cooking, now I can barely stand making ice cubes, the thing is, if you have the passion, and you LOVE it, go for it. be prepared to be married to it and what they said, stay focused!!! well said guys, thank you, I wish I had this advice 45 years ago!!! lol!
I’m 26, just moved across the country, currently in this same position trying to get my carbon fiber company going. It’s a very lonely life, but it’s my dream.
Great video! Us, etherial, moonbeam chasing, dreamers. We need to be reminded of this sort of thing once in a while. I think Edison said 10% inspiration, 90% perspiration. He didn't seem to mention the blood, sweat, and tears. The less than enthusiastic wife, & family. Why do these cars make us weak in the knees? How does half a car, sitting in a field rusting inspire that obsession? You need all of your time and a lottery win of money. Good luck to all of us. May the wins out number the errors.
I have been a car guy my whole life and enjoy doing my projects and sometimes small stuff for people close to me. I have never wanted to do it as a business...I feel it would take the fun out of it for me. I have made my living as an industrial electrician/mechanic the last 30 years working on factory machines. It works for me I think because it feeds that mechanical nature...I wasn't going to make a living as a stock broker. I have had friends and family do their own thing and most of the time they just seemed miserable to me.
@@cuzz63 I've been at it 30 years in a healthcare laundry. My observation has been that we might be the most versatile "mechanics " there is if we are good at it...or as I like to say we truly are jackasses of all trades 😆
Truthfully a Big thank You Tony-Kathy... Im an at home Fab guy to and this really shines a light on the folks that keep Hot Rodding alive without all the glam of the LA scene. There are REAL local folks that machine and fab all kinds of amazing things we take for granted cause we may cross it a show. Thanks for shining some lime light on these folks "ol Tone.
Nice to see Jim & wish him great times in his new shop & also nice to know the turbo dart is not forgotten , really looking forward to seeing this project again .
Ive been restoring cars for over 30 years. I’ve heard both sides of the coin from the making a living building classic cars. Its a matter of buying them right. Building within the cars known retail value. And you’ll make a profit. I have broken even a few times (getting my money back minus labor). But ive never actually lost money. Im happy with the income i make from being in this trade. One thing i notice no one mentions is reinvestment. Keep putting your profits into more cars and parts to flip.
PERFECT !! , Tony , I did just this for 10 years , ' White Pine ENG ,' NZ , mainly Mopar and Holden ( GM ) and exastly as is said here ,, It's a 24/7 commitment ,, 20th of every month pay the bills . The rest of the month working and chasing money owed ! people will give excuses forever as NOT ! to pay the bill when you have put 100's of hours and material , sweat , power , water into it and sometimes you have to come down hard on these types because excuses DON'T PAY THE BILL's . But most are good at paying . On that I averaged about 5k per year in personal earnings .... Primo video Tony and thank's for the memories and your time ,, keep it up Brother .
I'm a retired manual machinist { Big Stuff} ,always had a project car. I think if it was a business I wouldn't have any fun, but as a hobby it's cool, Don't drink, smoke, or mess around. Cars are a great hobby.
Great video. Great info for the guys dreaming if doing not just a hot rod shop. But in anything you set out to do. I've been down that road a few times. And I'm doing it again. But it's small cars for me. (Scale model cars) but still the same formula.
I've never been a fan of the corvair, but that one in back of y'all is sharp as hell!!! IMO it's almost what the 60s barracudas inspired to be. lion 🦁 shit 💩,I love it!!! living the dream, do it right and we'll and dream BIG!!! thanks for the advice guys!!! I can't wait for the 67 Coronet segment, I had a 66 and loved it!!!
I was a Cnc machinists from 25 till 41 and being 6’7” and leaning in machines blew out my thoracic spine right behind my heart just below my shoulder blades and now 9 years later being disabled since 41 and in immense pain everyday sucks but I still miss running the big 30’ lathes and the smell of metal and coolant and the pay wasn’t so great but I loved every minute.
Less than 20yrs of running a machine and bending over blew your spine? Either you got a weak spine or poor posture out the gate bud.... Dang... Did heavy duty truck suspensions for 10years and engines and hot rods since.... Bit broken, sure... Not as bad as you apparently though... Geez
@@sprsprtrudy flipping 400 lb pistons are no joke buddy .Don’t judge, just stating facts ! I built parts for Natural gas refineries .No car stuff but same concept and a lot bigger and more wrenching .
@@sprsprtrudy Didn’t mean to sound off just when your the big guy you always put with the big job and that’s how it was at my job.I could’ve done something different but I took schooling for it and put it to work.Two 30’ lathes facing each other turning each operations to make pistons constantly in and out and these parts were up to 4’ in diameter and 18” deep .Upon loading and unloading putting it in a chuck bigger than yourself using your legs and knees and body to push it and hold it up while the chuck clamps it then flipping the male and female part together when finished gives you some idea not to mention all the carbide inserts you change and precision measuring .It was constant bending over in the lathe.Thought I’d give you an idea.The finished pistons weighed between 150lb to 785 pounds .
I spent a good amount of my life as a bodyman/painter and have made a good living as a master maintenance mechanic. It's all hard work. I have a shop full of "stuff"that I haven't touched for a long time because I have to make a living. The time factor is incredible. The financial cost is enormous. What is shown on TV and other media leaves out the actual "outlay" in terms of all that time and money.
@@jimbennettshotrods5730 going through your channel. Those are some great stories you've documented. I wish you the best in that new shop. And can't wait for the updates on your customer builds, the Dart, and the Monkees GTO.
Quality work speaks for its self. So it is possible for a guy to build a reputation as an honest mechanic doing a caliber of work that will force you to turn work away. I have seen it a few times. A guy so good with every mechanical system he never has to work for an employer. Excellent auto trans. builder, engine builder, 3rd member set up, manual trans. rebuilder. Another guy restoring cars. 30's and 40's era Fords mostly but a few 60's muscle cars mixed in. One man operation. Wife's on property beauty salon plus his talent allowed him to pursue his passion, hone his craft and turn out impeccable restorations and resto rods. All bought by him and built on speculation. No customer looking over his shoulder and breathing down his neck. Hi exposure country setting with decent traffic flow and i doubt he ever did more than simply park his finished handi work out front to quickly sell them. Fresh build on a '48 Ford convertible brings a good price with the builders rep. behind it.
I was lucky enough to spend enough time working in a workshop as a 13-14 year old in my weekends and school holidays and quickly learned how harsh it can be. Even with an extreme interest in cars (been around cool cars since birth) but I quickly worked out that keeping it as my passion was my path.
Great video content Uncle Tony! Great camera work Uncle Kathy! That's a sweeet lookin' Corvair!! You have to be dedicated if you want to succeed!! People think because you own a shop that you make a lot of money but they don't know is everything that was mentioned here.
Over head can eat you alive and spit you out dead broke on the curb out front. IMO opinion it's best to do some clandestine jobs from your home garage, build a reputation, aquire needed shop equipment and SAVE every dime you can so you are well situated when it's time to upgrade to a roomier place.
@@gregorytimmons4777 Yes sir, been working out of my home garage ever since we've had one. Before that I worked out of the basement on small engines and in the driveway when it came to cars and trucks. I also ran a small shop for my neighbor for several years working on his classic cars and doing maintenance on his company vehicles, not to mention small jobs on the side. I also worked several years for a friend that had his own upholstery shop before I became a professional driver about 20 years ago. I'll be 51 this year, so I've seen a thing or two.😎
Late model Corvairs don't need a Mustang II front end. The Corvair has one of the best front end designs for a rear engine car. BTW Look up David at Stinger Motorsports or Michael at LeVair Performance and Restoration for Corvair front disc brake kits. Both Dave and Michael know race and restore Corvairs as well as kits for disc brakes on Corvairs. Hope this helps.
I used to run several small shops with constant struggles of wrong parts, bad parts, and endless hours. It was a struggle... Now I just work out of my garage on my own vehicles.
It takes dedication to your craft, and letting your work speak for itself. And then, sorting out the people you cannot afford to do business with. Uncle Tony, awesome content. Edit. I've been listening as I clean my garage at home, on a Friday night, and it's finally above freezing, and I'm stoked.
It also helps to be the shop owner that's the mechanic and builder that everyone wants, because as the owner, you have to be the one who knows everything, automotive mechanics, machine work and tools, and particularly, car history for your specialty. Luckily, I started with the books and hundreds of model cars as a kid. I was able to buy stuff from working after school and weekends, with a father that was a machinist, hobbyist race car builder and all around automotive enthusiast. As a kid in the 70s, and knew what I loved and wanted to be back then, I still use old trade and parts books, and magazines from the 50s to the 80s in my work today. Without my personal library, I would be at least 2 steps behind! The massive amount of metal working and bodywork information online on TH-cam today, is amazing. If your a kid wanting to do this, download everything you can get your hands or computer on. It WILL disappear. It still takes years and years of practice, but in my opinion, you younger guys have a way better start than most, using the free videos on metal work, paint, and electro-mechanicals than did probably most my age of 53, ever had. I quit a high paying mechanical engineering job 10 years ago to follow my dream, letting me take home about 1/10 the pay; the rest goes back to the tools and the shop. Your wife might hate you for a while...lol. Everyday gets better and better, and I've never regretted it overall. Good luck guys! Automotive Restoration Of Lubbock, a private, non public shop keeping old school alive. Thanks Uncle Tony for the many good time hours you've provided!
The struggle is real! The constant shakedown applies to every one that does even one project car or car they actually try to get ahead of maintenance with. Idk how much I’ve had to spend for basic maintenance things that go wrong and the unexpected in the past two years just trying to keep my first gen rx7 running
I have all that passion. It’s right here! No diploma and still been non stop learning and wrenching for 14yrs. With no reason to possibly still be doing this. With 3 kids and someone I vaguely remember that I share a bed with who barely see’s me. I’m unemployed. but I could be taught easily considering my brain never stops working on something.
Back when I had my shop we were building cars in 3 months, from stripping down to chopping and body work, drivetrain, paint, interior to turn key, 49-54 chevy cars and 47-54 chevy trucks mostly
When I was a kid I figured I wanted to work on cars and I got a shop job. Then they said go to school to make the bucks. So I did. I really wasn't sure what I wanted to do , cars ,trucks,whatever. I thought trucks were cool, until I started realizing the teachers were in their early 50s and would complain about creaks and aches when they got up to write at the chalkboard. What did you do for a job,teach? Oh I was a truck mechanic for 20yrs. I knew I didn't wanna work on trucks at that point 😂 I wasn't too sure about cars at that point either. At least I did really good in the electrical part of the training and that opened up the door to allow me into the standby generator course. I had no clue about generators ,so teach me. Pretty cool stuff. And they said , basically you'd be more towards the top of the tech food chain as far as respect and pay. Yep, pretty much they were right. There's days where my hands don't even get dirty, but you're wracking your brain on a huge 4 foot square wiring diagram and things like that. Then the next day I'm lifting a head off a 4045 Deere out in the middle of nowhere and not a cell signal for 10 miles around. That's livin 😁 That's given me a set of nuts attitude that I can fix anything anywhere. I refuse to be stuck on the roadside , I'll fix whatever on the spot I don't want a tow truck 😁 I still stay up on anything mechanical and life after work is anything that involves tools, it could be a lawnmower or an airplane. Don't get me wrong , I try and stay humble as I know as soon as I feel like I can conquer the world something will come along to knock you back to reality. Basically , don't be a know it all be open to learning something new every day or else the day was a waste.
Yea building a car is a trip, it's nothing like overhauling!! I've been at mine for over a year and I'm always underestimating the labor. Seems like I'll take a guess at a task and say : it'll take 3 hours. It takes 6-10.... but then I'm not exactly going flat out like it's flat rate , so I kind of have a hard time figuring my labor a little. All I know is it's alot , and more then I thought but I'm hanging in there. I have to, my credibility relies on it. Why? The wife said : you won't finish it. So I said : you've chosen death I see 😝 No , no..I gotta finish this build or I'll probably never get no lovin ever again😝😝
That corvair, I did alot of work on them. I did many jobs for Tony Visiak, how said he was President of the Corvair club,. There was defiantly a fuck ton of them that were rare.
I'm starting from pretty much nothing . credit is not good but not bad either .I have over the years worked on my own vehicles and still do unless it is something beyond my knowledge / equipment . i've been use to working in the yard in the dirt , bugs and heat working on my daily driver /project vehicles . if it rains I have to shut the work off till better weather. I have been SLOWLY been able to save up enough money to get ready to purchase a premade 10 x 16 portable building to put all my tools and parts ect. to work in and get in out of the elements . I will still have to work on the car or what have ya outside but made a make shift canopy to work on the vehicle while it rains sort of . its a very slow process and I get smart asses saying - well i would have figured you would have got the car done by now ?? 🙄😡. in my area its not what you know it's who you know especially when it comes to the local banks or finding a job ect. I've also had set backs as well .
Tony, please do an in depth on the Corvair, it looks sharp and I'm sure there's a story behind the flairs and the restoration that would be interesting. It would also help people see the amount of work that actually takes place to bring something back from the grave. I'm sure he made a fortune on it, so tell us that story.
I used to wake from the best night's sleep I have had in a week because of a " A ha" moment about the problem child in my shop that I realized what the fix was.
Corvairs like that have TRACTION! So they can dragrace big blocks in the rain, snow or mud! but if you lower it, it might produce problems in the mud, so don't. Good gamblers!
Someone asked me if mechanics was a good trade to get into and I said "I like it...but it's a heavy dirty thankless job and you'll be broke forever"..I'm 45years in the trade and I started with nothing and I still have most of it left.
Tony i need some help if anyone have CONNECTS 2 HYD ROLLER LIFTERS TOGETHER and LIFTER RETAINER (SPIDER) for a LA 318, i cant find it anywhere it is the last part i need
I've worked for garages and shops since I was 16 I'm 37 now 2 years ago I started my own Towing Mobile mechanic business it is a 24/7 job there is nothing else 7 days a week 24/7 constantly running for customers going to the next job finishing up a job talking to somebody about the next job you got to have that drive to do it I want to feed my family I want to live good I want to go on vacation I don't do it for me 😉
Its true, Went into doing my Fab welding and heavy equipment repair in 1988. would love to work on my own trucks and cars being born in 1955 I came up through the cool car area. had a bunch of cool cars, but daylight to dark has been git the job done to pay the bills, whatever it took. Now that I am 65 and fully retarded and partially retired I am still gitting it. Have to,you know because SSI is not going to pay the bills. Up tonight listening to your videos and going through tax papers, go figure... PS. We are just alike in that I am a mopar guy , with a love for Buicks in the background. My cummins trucks are the shit but you have really helped me out with the 318 Ideas. Looking to have a thumper soon. thanks from Hunt in N C.
Never could get into the Corvair. Might as well be a Kia for all the excitement it gives me. But more power to you corvair nuts. Its a big world, it takes all kinds.
It's refreshing to see someone not lord their personal preference over everyone else. I love featherweight canyon carvers. But so many people act like if you're not drag racing big blocks you're not a car guy
@@sinistersilverado965 Lots of potential in an economical package with a lot of the same philosophy Porsche applied to the basics. Obviously the build quality compared to Porsche leaves much to be desired but the basics are there including a promising pancake 6 with enough power stock to show potential with some hot rodding principals applied. Innovative car at the forefront of production car turbo charging along with the Olds F85. Thus my dream to put an aluminum 215 mid engine in a Corvair with a Crown Engineering kit and turbo charged.
Another issue. You are too busy to eat right. It's fast food and soda. Watch your diet. Watch the carbs. Get your rest. Decompress. It's fun but it can kill ya.
Drag-racer cop. That's a 70's movie I've somehow missed. Colonel Sanders was 65 when he started KFC. If you start something, keep doing it. That includes smoking. No place in the world for quitters.
Well with smoking I found out that to be true alot of smokers I've known over the years that quit got cancer and died but the ones who chain smoke daily are 70s 80s going strong I bullshit u not it's like the old saying if ur wrong on the battlefield stay wrong and own it because if u try to correct urself ur getting alot if people killed!
Im 30 and as a business owner keep in mind that it never looks like you think it will at first. It seems like you are just going through the motions; pretending you are going somewhere when you are just spinning your wheels. Mistakes will be extremely costly. And you will have to start from scratch several times if you really want to succeed. If you keep at it for 5 years like you really want to make it happen, you will see results.
ANY independent businessmen can absolutely relate to what these guys are saying. Truer words were never spoken here. Small businesses and businessmen created this great county, support them with your business!
as a business owner I can 100% agree with your analogy
You Two guys are the reason,, those beautiful older cars are there for us mere mortals, to look at and dream of owning,, ,,, you're Gems
Your
@@austinmason5452 No. He means THEY are gems.
@@taunuslunatic404 aaahhh
The blue on the corvair is so damn sweet!
I've never been more excited for the future of a TH-cam channel than I am for UTG. Thanks a lot Tony for everything so far.
Been doing this for over 35 years...... Jim Bennet is telling it like it is....and I appreciate that!
I'm a mechanic and handyman that owns my own business. There is so much good information in this. It's not a glamorous life to do your own thing, but it is the last freedom you can have. Know how to do something most people can't, and you can command your destiny.
Hes doing this without a TV show to cover losses. Outstanding
A successful man is the man who tried just one more time after repeated failure..
This is great. Uncle Tony and Jim are getting to the heart of what many aspire to be and do without looking past the 'glamorous' aspects of the dream. The passion for working on beautiful cars of the past is easy to come by, but it's another thing to sit quietly and ponder exactly how strong of a life commitment it takes to follow thru when the passion wanes a bit during times of difficulty.
I didn't realize my passion for cars until I was in my 30's. We grew up poor so I had to learn how to keep my cars going cause I couldn't afford to pay someone else. I learned everything the hard way. Never had the right tools or enough parts. I drove some things that would've never passed inspection. But they got me where I was going. And most of the time back home. I've worked at mechanic shops, detail shops, and body shops and I like doing all of it. But my favorite thing to do is custom fabrication. I've done something to customize every vehicle I've owned. I haven't done enough to be good at it. But when I do something, people seem to like it. I'm 42 so I know I'm not gonna own my own shop or anything. But I would like to get at least one custom project completed. Right now I'm just doing a little bit to my daily driver so it's hard. But I'm determined to get the right car and turn it into my dream car. And hopefully get to drive it at least once before I die.
Chase your dream, it takes time and preparation. Enjoy while you work and the satisfaction when you finish a project.
I understand completely. I couldn't afford shit and had to keep it going myself. I think your first car dictates your style. Mine was a 71 satellite sebring plus with a 383, my path was set
Those reasons made me quit running the shop, I was 25, I never slept, Sometimes I'd leave and go to the shop in the middle of the night and work, I lost weight, I'd be hanging out with family or something and thinking about the shop, it pretty much consumed me I couldn't handle it and burnt out. It took years before I wanted to even touch my projects again it was bad, I refused to get rid of them. Now I'm thinking I want it all again....
like when I was in the restaurant business, you frickin marry the business, period. and what I once loved, after many decades I started to burn out from and eventually despised it, then I quit. I loved cooking, now I can barely stand making ice cubes, the thing is, if you have the passion, and you LOVE it, go for it. be prepared to be married to it and what they said, stay focused!!! well said guys, thank you, I wish I had this advice 45 years ago!!! lol!
I’m 26, just moved across the country, currently in this same position trying to get my carbon fiber company going. It’s a very lonely life, but it’s my dream.
May you two blokes live forever!
Great video! Us, etherial, moonbeam chasing, dreamers. We need to be reminded of this sort of thing once in a while. I think Edison said 10% inspiration, 90% perspiration. He didn't seem to mention the blood, sweat, and tears. The less than enthusiastic wife, & family. Why do these cars make us weak in the knees? How does half a car, sitting in a field rusting inspire that obsession? You need all of your time and a lottery win of money. Good luck to all of us. May the wins out number the errors.
That's so true, I was doing 17hr days 7 days a week, then dreaming about work all night. Turns out you work 24/7. The joys of being a mechanic
Intelligent content, done in a cogent way; thank you for the perspective!
I have been a car guy my whole life and enjoy doing my projects and sometimes small stuff for people close to me. I have never wanted to do it as a business...I feel it would take the fun out of it for me. I have made my living as an industrial electrician/mechanic the last 30 years working on factory machines. It works for me I think because it feeds that mechanical nature...I wasn't going to make a living as a stock broker. I have had friends and family do their own thing and most of the time they just seemed miserable to me.
I'm the same way. That's why I'm a truck driver for a living and work on cars for fun.
cool, I am also an Industrial Maintenance Technician. Been working here at a tire factory for 35 years.
@@cuzz63 I've been at it 30 years in a healthcare laundry. My observation has been that we might be the most versatile "mechanics " there is if we are good at it...or as I like to say we truly are jackasses of all trades 😆
@@kgooch69 pretty much.
I like this guy,great video, i love the old cars and trucks😊😊
Truthfully a Big thank You Tony-Kathy... Im an at home Fab guy to and this really shines a light on the folks that keep Hot Rodding alive without all the glam of the LA scene.
There are REAL local folks that machine and fab all kinds of amazing things we take for granted cause we may cross it a show.
Thanks for shining some lime light on these folks "ol Tone.
Yup people for sure do not get even on TH-cam what your seeing was not filmed yesterday lol cheers To you Tony
Nice to see Jim & wish him great times in his new shop & also nice to know the turbo dart is not forgotten , really looking forward to seeing this project again .
Nice Corvair
Underrated comment, my freind.
Congratulations on the new shop space!
Ive been restoring cars for over 30 years. I’ve heard both sides of the coin from the making a living building classic cars. Its a matter of buying them right. Building within the cars known retail value. And you’ll make a profit. I have broken even a few times (getting my money back minus labor). But ive never actually lost money.
Im happy with the income i make from being in this trade. One thing i notice no one mentions is reinvestment. Keep putting your profits into more cars and parts to flip.
PERFECT !! , Tony , I did just this for 10 years , ' White Pine ENG ,' NZ , mainly Mopar and Holden ( GM ) and exastly as is said here ,, It's a 24/7 commitment ,, 20th of every month pay the bills . The rest of the month working and chasing money owed ! people will give excuses forever as NOT ! to pay the bill when you have put 100's of hours and material , sweat , power , water into it and sometimes you have to come down hard on these types because excuses DON'T PAY THE BILL's .
But most are good at paying .
On that I averaged about 5k per year in personal earnings ....
Primo video Tony and thank's for the memories and your time ,, keep it up Brother .
I love that corvair! My father's 1st car in America was a 2 dr corvair with a 3 or 4 speed very cool. Thanks for your shows.
I'm a retired manual machinist { Big Stuff} ,always had a project car. I think if it was a business I wouldn't have any fun, but as a hobby it's cool, Don't drink, smoke, or mess around. Cars are a great hobby.
Great video. Great info for the guys dreaming if doing not just a hot rod shop. But in anything you set out to do. I've been down that road a few times. And I'm doing it again. But it's small cars for me. (Scale model cars) but still the same formula.
Very timely vid... Im having some inspiration and time management struggles...
Thanks guys, Im goin back to work now...!!!👍😁
I've never been a fan of the corvair, but that one in back of y'all is sharp as hell!!! IMO it's almost what the 60s barracudas inspired to be. lion 🦁 shit 💩,I love it!!! living the dream, do it right and we'll and dream BIG!!! thanks for the advice guys!!! I can't wait for the 67 Coronet segment, I had a 66 and loved it!!!
I was a Cnc machinists from 25 till 41 and being 6’7” and leaning in machines blew out my thoracic spine right behind my heart just below my shoulder blades and now 9 years later being disabled since 41 and in immense pain everyday sucks but I still miss running the big 30’ lathes and the smell of metal and coolant and the pay wasn’t so great but I loved every minute.
Less than 20yrs of running a machine and bending over blew your spine? Either you got a weak spine or poor posture out the gate bud.... Dang... Did heavy duty truck suspensions for 10years and engines and hot rods since.... Bit broken, sure... Not as bad as you apparently though... Geez
@@sprsprtrudy flipping 400 lb pistons are no joke buddy .Don’t judge, just stating facts ! I built parts for Natural gas refineries .No car stuff but same concept and a lot bigger and more wrenching .
@@sprsprtrudy
I hope you don’t have kids because ur point of view is fucked.
Well albeit I'd have some questions but fair enough p w ... That's intense stuff... You're a rare breed then...
@@sprsprtrudy Didn’t mean to sound off just when your the big guy you always put with the big job and that’s how it was at my job.I could’ve done something different but I took schooling for it and put it to work.Two 30’ lathes facing each other turning each operations to make pistons constantly in and out and these parts were up to 4’ in diameter and 18” deep .Upon loading and unloading putting it in a chuck bigger than yourself using your legs and knees and body to push it and hold it up while the chuck clamps it then flipping the male and female part together when finished gives you some idea not to mention all the carbide inserts you change and precision measuring .It was constant bending over in the lathe.Thought I’d give you an idea.The finished pistons weighed between 150lb to 785 pounds .
I spent a good amount of my life as a bodyman/painter and have made a good living as a master maintenance mechanic. It's all hard work. I have a shop full of "stuff"that I haven't touched for a long time because I have to make a living. The time factor is incredible. The financial cost is enormous. What is shown on TV and other media leaves out the actual "outlay" in terms of all that time and money.
Loving that Corvair. Beautiful work.
Thanks!
@@jimbennettshotrods5730 going through your channel. Those are some great stories you've documented. I wish you the best in that new shop. And can't wait for the updates on your customer builds, the Dart, and the Monkees GTO.
What a great primer on self employment
Great video and telling it the way it is. Have a great weekend
Quality work speaks for its self. So it is possible for a guy to build a reputation as an honest mechanic doing a caliber of work that will force you to turn work away. I have seen it a few times. A guy so good with every mechanical system he never has to work for an employer. Excellent auto trans. builder, engine builder, 3rd member set up, manual trans. rebuilder. Another guy restoring cars. 30's and 40's era Fords mostly but a few 60's muscle cars mixed in. One man operation. Wife's on property beauty salon plus his talent allowed him to pursue his passion, hone his craft and turn out impeccable restorations and resto rods. All bought by him and built on speculation. No customer looking over his shoulder and breathing down his neck. Hi exposure country setting with decent traffic flow and i doubt he ever did more than simply park his finished handi work out front to quickly sell them. Fresh build on a '48 Ford convertible brings a good price with the builders rep. behind it.
My '68 looks like that corvair. How about some more details about the Corvair build????
What a fella - all the best from the UK - keep on keeping on!
Great feature Boss and Boss lady.. Oi oi oi..
Best work I have come across here in east tn. is good ol guys that work out of there garage.
I was lucky enough to spend enough time working in a workshop as a 13-14 year old in my weekends and school holidays and quickly learned how harsh it can be. Even with an extreme interest in cars (been around cool cars since birth) but I quickly worked out that keeping it as my passion was my path.
Great video content Uncle Tony! Great camera work Uncle Kathy!
That's a sweeet lookin' Corvair!!
You have to be dedicated if you want to succeed!! People think because you own a shop that you make a lot of money but they don't know is everything that was mentioned here.
Over head can eat you alive and spit you out dead broke on the curb out front. IMO opinion it's best to do some clandestine jobs from your home garage, build a reputation, aquire needed shop equipment and SAVE every dime you can so you are well situated when it's time to upgrade to a roomier place.
@@gregorytimmons4777 Yes sir, been working out of my home garage ever since we've had one. Before that I worked out of the basement on small engines and in the driveway when it came to cars and trucks. I also ran a small shop for my neighbor for several years working on his classic cars and doing maintenance on his company vehicles, not to mention small jobs on the side. I also worked several years for a friend that had his own upholstery shop before I became a professional driver about 20 years ago. I'll be 51 this year, so I've seen a thing or two.😎
Late model Corvairs don't need a Mustang II front end. The Corvair has one of the best front end designs for a rear engine car. BTW Look up David at Stinger Motorsports or Michael at LeVair Performance and Restoration for Corvair front disc brake kits. Both Dave and Michael know race and restore Corvairs as well as kits for disc brakes on Corvairs. Hope this helps.
I used to run several small shops with constant struggles of wrong parts, bad parts, and endless hours. It was a struggle... Now I just work out of my garage on my own vehicles.
It takes dedication to your craft, and letting your work speak for itself. And then, sorting out the people you cannot afford to do business with. Uncle Tony, awesome content. Edit. I've been listening as I clean my garage at home, on a Friday night, and it's finally above freezing, and I'm stoked.
Love the corvair badass car, I have two 65's and I love em
Thats a Beautiful Corvair!
It also helps to be the shop owner that's the mechanic and builder that everyone wants, because as the owner, you have to be the one who knows everything, automotive mechanics, machine work and tools, and particularly, car history for your specialty. Luckily, I started with the books and hundreds of model cars as a kid. I was able to buy stuff from working after school and weekends, with a father that was a machinist, hobbyist race car builder and all around automotive enthusiast. As a kid in the 70s, and knew what I loved and wanted to be back then, I still use old trade and parts books, and magazines from the 50s to the 80s in my work today. Without my personal library, I would be at least 2 steps behind! The massive amount of metal working and bodywork information online on TH-cam today, is amazing. If your a kid wanting to do this, download everything you can get your hands or computer on. It WILL disappear. It still takes years and years of practice, but in my opinion, you younger guys have a way better start than most, using the free videos on metal work, paint, and electro-mechanicals than did probably most my age of 53, ever had. I quit a high paying mechanical engineering job 10 years ago to follow my dream, letting me take home about 1/10 the pay; the rest goes back to the tools and the shop. Your wife might hate you for a while...lol. Everyday gets better and better, and I've never regretted it overall. Good luck guys! Automotive Restoration Of Lubbock, a private, non public shop keeping old school alive. Thanks Uncle Tony for the many good time hours you've provided!
"Nothing ever fits".....truer words were never spoken.
The struggle is real! The constant shakedown applies to every one that does even one project car or car they actually try to get ahead of maintenance with. Idk how much I’ve had to spend for basic maintenance things that go wrong and the unexpected in the past two years just trying to keep my first gen rx7 running
Rx7, wankel rotary... There's your problem... That's uber unique compared to normal car shop troubles
So true " was 19 yesterday"
great information ! I have been working on cars for 25 years . I have been leery of jumping into my own shop.
I have all that passion. It’s right here! No diploma and still been non stop learning and wrenching for 14yrs. With no reason to possibly still be doing this. With 3 kids and someone I vaguely remember that I share a bed with who barely see’s me.
I’m unemployed. but I could be taught easily considering my brain never stops working on something.
Great job on your video and a thumb's up.
Please look up( the rpm act )and spread the word,thanks
Back when I had my shop we were building cars in 3 months, from stripping down to chopping and body work, drivetrain, paint, interior to turn key, 49-54 chevy cars and 47-54 chevy trucks mostly
Major Dude. Passing it on. Good on you!
I want more of that coronet !!!!
Logging is the same as this. I wake up thinking about it, I go to sleep thinking about it.
Think we all agree, even waiting for rust killer to do it's job takes a while.
Hahahaha you mention Taurus transmissions, still got my 1996 version!
Great video,really enjoyed what was said.
Cool corvar always liked thoughts
When I was a kid I figured I wanted to work on cars and I got a shop job.
Then they said go to school to make the bucks.
So I did.
I really wasn't sure what I wanted to do , cars ,trucks,whatever.
I thought trucks were cool, until I started realizing the teachers were in their early 50s and would complain about creaks and aches when they got up to write at the chalkboard.
What did you do for a job,teach?
Oh I was a truck mechanic for 20yrs.
I knew I didn't wanna work on trucks at that point 😂
I wasn't too sure about cars at that point either.
At least I did really good in the electrical part of the training and that opened up the door to allow me into the standby generator course.
I had no clue about generators ,so teach me.
Pretty cool stuff.
And they said , basically you'd be more towards the top of the tech food chain as far as respect and pay.
Yep, pretty much they were right.
There's days where my hands don't even get dirty, but you're wracking your brain on a huge 4 foot square wiring diagram and things like that.
Then the next day I'm lifting a head off a 4045 Deere out in the middle of nowhere and not a cell signal for 10 miles around.
That's livin 😁
That's given me a set of nuts attitude that I can fix anything anywhere.
I refuse to be stuck on the roadside , I'll fix whatever on the spot I don't want a tow truck 😁
I still stay up on anything mechanical and life after work is anything that involves tools, it could be a lawnmower or an airplane.
Don't get me wrong , I try and stay humble as I know as soon as I feel like I can conquer the world something will come along to knock you back to reality.
Basically , don't be a know it all be open to learning something new every day or else the day was a waste.
Yea building a car is a trip, it's nothing like overhauling!!
I've been at mine for over a year and I'm always underestimating the labor.
Seems like I'll take a guess at a task and say : it'll take 3 hours.
It takes 6-10....
but then I'm not exactly going flat out like it's flat rate , so I kind of have a hard time figuring my labor a little.
All I know is it's alot , and more then I thought but I'm hanging in there.
I have to, my credibility relies on it.
Why?
The wife said : you won't finish it.
So I said : you've chosen death I see 😝
No , no..I gotta finish this build or I'll probably never get no lovin ever again😝😝
Keep up the good work gentlemen.
Yeah...I'll stick to doing it as a hobby.
driveway mechanic....nuff said!!
we only had a detached garage that was converted to a guest house back in the day...js
I hope the trunk lid and hood fit better when the blue car is finished
they will,there are no latches on them right now
That corvair, I did alot of work on them. I did many jobs for Tony Visiak, how said he was President of the Corvair club,. There was defiantly a fuck ton of them that were rare.
I'm starting from pretty much nothing . credit is not good but not bad either .I have over the years worked on my own vehicles and still do unless it is something beyond my knowledge / equipment . i've been use to working in the yard in the dirt , bugs and heat working on my daily driver /project vehicles . if it rains I have to shut the work off till better weather. I have been SLOWLY been able to save up enough money to get ready to purchase a premade 10 x 16 portable building to put all my tools and parts ect. to work in and get in out of the elements . I will still have to work on the car or what have ya outside but made a make shift canopy to work on the vehicle while it rains sort of . its a very slow process and I get smart asses saying - well i would have figured you would have got the car done by now ?? 🙄😡. in my area its not what you know it's who you know especially when it comes to the local banks or finding a job ect. I've also had set backs as well .
Tony, please do an in depth on the Corvair, it looks sharp and I'm sure there's a story behind the flairs and the restoration that would be interesting. It would also help people see the amount of work that actually takes place to bring something back from the grave. I'm sure he made a fortune on it, so tell us that story.
That paint looks good any orange peel?
I personally just enjoy being independent with my own fleet. Flipped a few cars but was a hassle and not my thing. More of a relaxing time to enjoy
Better advice has never been spoken. I want to stay home and play my guitar. And I have been working at it for over 50 years.
That’s why I like Graveyard Carz Mark says how many years or months they had the car in their shop it takes a lot of man hours to do it right
He said it ... its a life style priceless , or perhaps addiction? And love it.
I used to wake from the best night's sleep I have had in a week because of a " A ha" moment about the problem child in my shop that I realized what the fix was.
Corvairs like that have TRACTION! So they can dragrace big blocks in the rain, snow or mud! but if you lower it, it might produce problems in the mud, so don't. Good gamblers!
Someone asked me if mechanics was a good trade to get into and I said "I like it...but it's a heavy dirty thankless job and you'll be broke forever"..I'm 45years in the trade and I started with nothing and I still have most of it left.
That Corvair is gorgeous! Is it a 140?
What wheels are those?
I need a rwd mopar or chrysler light weight car I'm trying to get a 1990 conquest
A life cut short RIP Jim
That Corvair man!!!
Very cool
Tony i need some help if anyone have CONNECTS 2 HYD ROLLER LIFTERS TOGETHER and LIFTER RETAINER (SPIDER) for a LA 318, i cant find it anywhere it is the last part i need
When you start a project, take your best estimate and then triple it to predict what the actual cost will be when everything is said and done.
This is LD's husband...That is an INCREDIBLE Corvair.
I've worked for garages and shops since I was 16 I'm 37 now 2 years ago I started my own Towing Mobile mechanic business it is a 24/7 job there is nothing else 7 days a week 24/7 constantly running for customers going to the next job finishing up a job talking to somebody about the next job you got to have that drive to do it I want to feed my family I want to live good I want to go on vacation I don't do it for me 😉
Its true, Went into doing my Fab welding and heavy equipment repair in 1988. would love to work on my own trucks and cars being born in 1955 I came up through the cool car area. had a bunch of cool cars, but daylight to dark has been git the job done to pay the bills, whatever it took. Now that I am 65 and fully retarded and partially retired I am still gitting it. Have to,you know because SSI is not going to pay the bills. Up tonight listening to your videos and going through tax papers, go figure... PS. We are just alike in that I am a mopar guy , with a love for Buicks in the background. My cummins trucks are the shit but you have really helped me out with the 318 Ideas. Looking to have a thumper soon. thanks from Hunt in N C.
Never could get into the Corvair. Might as well be a Kia for all the excitement it gives me.
But more power to you corvair nuts. Its a big world, it takes all kinds.
It's refreshing to see someone not lord their personal preference over everyone else.
I love featherweight canyon carvers. But so many people act like if you're not drag racing big blocks you're not a car guy
The Corvair is a very interesting car, why be like everyone else? Everyone has a Mustang or Camaro
@@sinistersilverado965 Lots of potential in an economical package with a lot of the same philosophy Porsche applied to the basics. Obviously the build quality compared to Porsche leaves much to be desired but the basics are there including a promising pancake 6 with enough power stock to show potential with some hot rodding principals applied. Innovative car at the forefront of production car turbo charging along with the Olds F85. Thus my dream to put an aluminum 215 mid engine in a Corvair with a Crown Engineering kit and turbo charged.
The Corvairs that drove through the Darien Gap left one behind!
That Monza is bad ass
Good Guy.
RIP Jim.
Thank you UT for helping me focus on narrowing the focus! Amazing what can be accomplished even at the hobby level if one can keep focused.
Another issue. You are too busy to eat right. It's fast food and soda. Watch your diet. Watch the carbs. Get your rest. Decompress. It's fun but it can kill ya.
Those tv shows had 2 cars. 1 finished and the 1that they pull apart to fix
Too bad about the SS stripes ,the front air dam and the mud flaps on an already good looking car
Nice one gents. Get a lot of Vamp. stuff, regarding my 360 A bod! Fuck 'em. Cheers.
Jim Bennet seems like........no, IS a helluva cool guy.Edit: Tony's pretty cool too. Ha.
Drag-racer cop. That's a 70's movie I've somehow missed.
Colonel Sanders was 65 when he started KFC. If you start something, keep doing it. That includes smoking. No place in the world for quitters.
There's only one place for quitters....it called rehab! LOL
Well with smoking I found out that to be true alot of smokers I've known over the years that quit got cancer and died but the ones who chain smoke daily are 70s 80s going strong I bullshit u not it's like the old saying if ur wrong on the battlefield stay wrong and own it because if u try to correct urself ur getting alot if people killed!
Im 30 and as a business owner keep in mind that it never looks like you think it will at first. It seems like you are just going through the motions; pretending you are going somewhere when you are just spinning your wheels.
Mistakes will be extremely costly. And you will have to start from scratch several times if you really want to succeed.
If you keep at it for 5 years like you really want to make it happen, you will see results.
Love uncle Tony's garage