matchframe
Member
Hello everyone !
I have been around the Corvette, Jeep and Hotrod Forums for many years, in fact, I am a moderator at Digital Corvettes. I have found over the years that the best information are from the folks who have their hands dirty from being under the hood all the time. I had a question that I really never got a good solid answer at one of the forums so someone told me about Grumpy's Forum. I know Grumpy from the other forums, but had not heard that he started one of his own.
I have been building, modifying and maintaining cars since I was 15 years old. Now at 55, I am still going strong with three projects in my garage. My projects are somewhat diversified in that they are very different.
My Vette project which has been in the works since 2002 is a frame off resto-rod. Only reason it has taken so long is I don't have a lot of money to work with so I had rather take it slow and do it right than to just throw it together. Originally, the plan (I like to stick with the plan) is to build it with a Big Block, but since 2002, the more I learn about the LS engines, I could be convinced to go that route. But right now I am focusing on getting the body back on the frame.
The second project which I have not gotten to far with is a 1953 Chevy Wagon. What is unique about this car is it has always been in my family. My Grandfather bought it new. My Uncle inherited it and restored it. My Cousin inherited it and asked if I wanted it. I could not pull the car hauler fast enough to his house in San Antonio to bring it home. Another thing that is cool about this particular car is it is the first car I remember riding in as a toddler. I was fascinated with the chrome on the dash and have been a car nut ever since.
My third project is a driver that I just got on the road. It still has a long ways to go, but at least I am able to drive it once in a while and parts are cheep and everywhere. It is a 1973 VW Super Beetle. For some reason, I have always been a Corvette and VW Bug nut. I can't explain that one...... My first car I bought when I was 15 was a 1965 VW Bug which I pulled the body and built a tube frame dunebuggy. I am in the process of painting the Bug the poor man's way, a panel at a time. So far it matches really well, but I still have a long ways to go before finishing. Here are a couple of shots of what it looks like now.
My projects were going at a steady pace until my daughter was involved in a wreck with her Jeep Cherokee. She was not hurt, and it was not her fault. She did not want another vehicle, she wanted her Jeep back, so I rebuilt it for her. This rebuild is why I became involved on the Jeep forums. Here are a before and after pics:
March 2012:
May 2012:
If interested, here is a link to my projects website: http://www.bigdoggarage.com
FYI, Matchframe is a video editing term. I started my career in TV Broadcast as a video editor. I have since moved on to other ventures, but my very first email address in the 1980's was matchframe, so that carried over to my online identity.
Good to be here, hope to learn a lot and maybe able to help as well.
Bill
I have been around the Corvette, Jeep and Hotrod Forums for many years, in fact, I am a moderator at Digital Corvettes. I have found over the years that the best information are from the folks who have their hands dirty from being under the hood all the time. I had a question that I really never got a good solid answer at one of the forums so someone told me about Grumpy's Forum. I know Grumpy from the other forums, but had not heard that he started one of his own.
I have been building, modifying and maintaining cars since I was 15 years old. Now at 55, I am still going strong with three projects in my garage. My projects are somewhat diversified in that they are very different.
My Vette project which has been in the works since 2002 is a frame off resto-rod. Only reason it has taken so long is I don't have a lot of money to work with so I had rather take it slow and do it right than to just throw it together. Originally, the plan (I like to stick with the plan) is to build it with a Big Block, but since 2002, the more I learn about the LS engines, I could be convinced to go that route. But right now I am focusing on getting the body back on the frame.
The second project which I have not gotten to far with is a 1953 Chevy Wagon. What is unique about this car is it has always been in my family. My Grandfather bought it new. My Uncle inherited it and restored it. My Cousin inherited it and asked if I wanted it. I could not pull the car hauler fast enough to his house in San Antonio to bring it home. Another thing that is cool about this particular car is it is the first car I remember riding in as a toddler. I was fascinated with the chrome on the dash and have been a car nut ever since.
My third project is a driver that I just got on the road. It still has a long ways to go, but at least I am able to drive it once in a while and parts are cheep and everywhere. It is a 1973 VW Super Beetle. For some reason, I have always been a Corvette and VW Bug nut. I can't explain that one...... My first car I bought when I was 15 was a 1965 VW Bug which I pulled the body and built a tube frame dunebuggy. I am in the process of painting the Bug the poor man's way, a panel at a time. So far it matches really well, but I still have a long ways to go before finishing. Here are a couple of shots of what it looks like now.
My projects were going at a steady pace until my daughter was involved in a wreck with her Jeep Cherokee. She was not hurt, and it was not her fault. She did not want another vehicle, she wanted her Jeep back, so I rebuilt it for her. This rebuild is why I became involved on the Jeep forums. Here are a before and after pics:
March 2012:
May 2012:
If interested, here is a link to my projects website: http://www.bigdoggarage.com
FYI, Matchframe is a video editing term. I started my career in TV Broadcast as a video editor. I have since moved on to other ventures, but my very first email address in the 1980's was matchframe, so that carried over to my online identity.
Good to be here, hope to learn a lot and maybe able to help as well.
Bill
