Rassie the slow restorer of Ford V8.

[RASSIE]

I am sure I am the slowest Ford V8 restorer in S.A. Working one man and a cleaner include age and health can be hell as S.A. crime also play a roll. USA restorations on DSTV also put us in S.A. in a bad spot.
Most of the time I would love the owner of a GT just to work for one day with me and see what he will say when going home.
40 Years as a hobby and work slow but need. Perfection and safety first.
Rassie.

[dom]

Keep it up!

I am used to much faster builds in my old homeland and was shocked the other day that I started welding my recent chassis end of 2010...
More than 8 years ago!

But only since Jan this year I have a shared workshop where I can come and go as I please. Before I outsourced a lot, which took time, too.
Just the engine rebuilt, after I had to throw away the first block, kept me busy since 3 years.

Unreal.

[RASSIE]

Dom we also had very good times a few years back doing restorations. Petrol, food, skilled laborers, electricity, tools, no serious criminals and more cars to use for doner parts was cheap. We were fit, powerful and no stress. On this moment a R.12 cement bag went to R.70 a pocket. Most kids also use computer games to play games and repair cars. Sad but a good generation is dying. From 30 friends I have had with V8's only 3 was at the last car show. Many passed away. Also hard to find work for skilled whites and the muscle cars leaving S.A. as people leaving S.A. for better money increase daily.
Prices of R.550 000 and R.600 000 for a clean Fairmont GT happened.
I am since 1982 an electrician and lecture but was forced to leave 10 years back. Now a super 5 star workshop at the college was closed and full of dust, They could never filled my post with a skilled person.
Cars I had in my time was 200 + and as licence money increased I sold most. I paid R.1750 for a one owner 76 Fairlane 500, R.4500 for a 69 Mach1 351W and manual box. R.6000 for a 70 Mustang Cobra Jet with a 351C and Hurst shift 4 speed was the going prices then.
Rassie.

Keep it up!

I am used to much faster builds in my old homeland and was shocked the other day that I started welding my recent chassis end of 2010...
More than 8 years ago!

But only since Jan this year I have a shared workshop where I can come and go as I please. Before I outsourced a lot, which took time, too.
Just the engine rebuilt, after I had to throw away the first block, kept me busy since 3 years.

Unreal.

[dom]

...and it went fast! In 2002 I bought a Fairlane 302 for R15.000. Drove it home and sold it 2 years later for - R15.000. Mustangs were then as low as R45.000 with a bent fender, and up to R150.000 for a really good one in Joburg.

There is hope. I have a very energetic welder from the Flats and a am renting now a spot in my fitter/turner's shop which makes things happen faster.
Not far down the road are two more engineering shops for further work. But it took me long to find them. Also suppliers for pieces of steel under 6m long...

But back to delays: I still don't have a finished Cobra body for which I have a mould. But I plot along. If I get it in November, I am fine.
I spoke to US car shops all over the Cape and things progress slowly there, too. Lack of skills and lack of parts. The clients are super patient, while my mates in the US can't believe how slow things progress.

Rockauto is helping when you order from the US, but for some reason my intake valves were held back at customs. Twice. I really wonder why.

Keep it up! It's all we learned. To build and fix cars.

[ters]

...and it went fast! In 2002 I bought a Fairlane 302 for R15.000. Drove it home and sold it 2 years later for - R15.000. Mustangs were then as low as R45.000 with a bent fender, and up to R150.000 for a really good one in Joburg.

There is hope. I have a very energetic welder from the Flats and a am renting now a spot in my fitter/turner's shop which makes things happen faster.
Not far down the road are two more engineering shops for further work. But it took me long to find them. Also suppliers for pieces of steel under 6m long...

But back to delays: I still don't have a finished Cobra body for which I have a mould. But I plot along. If I get it in November, I am fine.
I spoke to US car shops all over the Cape and things progress slowly there, too. Lack of skills and lack of parts. The clients are super patient, while my mates in the US can't believe how slow things progress.

Rockauto is helping when you order from the US, but for some reason my intake valves were held back at customs. Twice. I really wonder why.

Keep it up! It's all we learned. To build and fix cars.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=24625&hilit=rassie

Ters.