Page 79 - Issue 42
P. 79

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                                                               WITH  GEOFF JOHNSONOFF JOHNSONOFF JOHNSON
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                                                               WITH
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                 One method of preparing for a build is         it to someone else, for their next project, for
              tracking down another one of the same vehicle     decent cash.
              you are starting with. The idea of having two        The negatives for having another vehicle
              complete, or as complete as possible, cars        to work with can be summarized into space,
              to work from is not a bad one, but certain        time and money.  You must spend additional
              precautions need to be taken. Sometimes you       dough for your build to get started by needing
              can secure three or more of almost the same       to buy two of what you have. The space for
              thing to start with. I believe this might be tougher   two piles of parts may be more than your living
              than just two to start since determining which    arrangements can tolerate. And like I mentioned
              one is the best can steal time from you actually   earlier, the time to fi nd the second (or third)
              building. The goal is to jump in, get building and   example of your project car can be better-used
              feel accomplished.                                building than searching. The reality we will
                                                                often face is the hard-to-fi nd parts are probably
                                                                already gone from the projects you fi nd. This can
              If you are careful,                               be the toughest problem when working with old,
                                                                unique iron, but we rat rodders get to be creative
              having enough left                                when it comes to fi t and fi nish, right?
                                                                   Lastly, having more parts to work with can
              on that second car                                leave you with a false sense of security. I think

                                                                I would be less careful in disassembly knowing
              can give you a good                               there is more where that came from. It would be
              chance of selling it                              easier for me to hurry with something, be harder
                                                                on something, take fewer notes or pictures of
              to someone else, for                              something when I have another sitting right
                                                                there for reference or to pull from as needed.
              their next project,                               Some things simply can’t be rushed.  Take the
                                                                time it needs to be taken apart correctly. So, if
              for decent cash.                                  you have decided to follow this path, where can
                                                                you start?  Securing the needed space is priority
                                                                one.  You can’t really store offsite if you plan to
                                                                rely on that second project vehicle--they need to
                 The benefi ts of having an extra starter car    both be with you all your building time. Bringing
              to work with can be many. You will fi nd yourself   something home with no place to put it will
              spending less time tracking down a missing part.    become a headache quicker than you can say
              You also have something to look at and compare    box end, open end.
              to when taking something apart. You eventually       My fi nal advice is this: I am very leery of
              need to reassemble after repairing and having     buying anything for sale advertised as ‘make two
              more than just a picture or drawing is great. You   into one.’  This sounds like a great idea at the
              also have all the spare parts you need, hopefully,   time, but why didn’t the original owner/builder
              and can move quicker toward completing your       already do it?  It is very possible the two they are
              build. The extra, unused parts at the end of a    selling won’t even make half of one--bringing you
              build often just get hauled away at scrap price.    back to zero. When in doubt, leave your wallet at
              If you are careful, having enough left on that    home until you do your homework. Your perfect
              second car can give you a good chance of selling   project is out there.

                                                                                     RATRODMAGAZINE.COM  RAT ROD MAGAZINE     79



         78x79 Downshifting.indd   79                                                                          2/6/17   3:47 PM
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