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Born in '42, I got my first fiberglass ' itch ' in 1956 when I began
building my second street rod, the 47 Chevy Fastback that I got
after my dad bought a new Mercury Montclair. Early, you may think,
but I learned basic wiring at age 10 or so, then I taught myself to
weld when I was 12, later built a fiberglass garden pool in 1958-59.
Dad worked a lot then, so I didn't get much help on the cars, but
that was also an advantage, since we only had a part-time policeman
I was able to run the hills of my home town pretty freely, first in
my Crosley ( which ended up with a 49 Olds v8 drive train), then the
Chevy, which had a ¾ Jimmy w/floor shift, by then.
The early days in fiberglass were quite wasteful, as techniques were
just being developed... people like myself, knew very little, had no
instruction, and learned by trial and error. Of course, some of the
early “greats” on the West Coast had developed some methods that
worked well, but as usual ,most of us in the East were behind by a
LOT. Of course, a 15 year old kid was even further behind the
pro's.. Actually, the California “kit car “ bodies did get better
about the same time , 1957, so I guess we weren't THAT far behind,
it just seemed it then..
Over the years, either by 'trial and error' or researching, working
with fiberglass has become less fretful, and we have achieved some
pretty good results in both repair and molding. While involved with
both Hi Performance Sailboats and Mastercraft ski boats, I was able
to gain a lot of knowledge from some top level boat molding
operations...especially as to coring composites, and weight and
strength ratios with sailboats such as the Olympic Laser and 20'
Catamarans that we raced.
I think retirement means being able to work when you want.
Consequently, our shop has VERY flexible hours. Located on a major
divided 4-lane, we generally have a half dozen frame-off vintage kit
cars and racecars at various levels of restoration in the 4000 '
shop.. Optimistically, we also maintain a fair selection of Vintage
Bodies...so visitors usually see LaDawri Daytona, Sebring, Victress
Coupes, a couple of Devins, Kellisons, early Aztec and later
Valkyrie all at the same time, among several vintage race
cars...like the Dave Ridenour USRRC GT. “ In Alabama, of all
places!", said former Kit Car Magazine's Eric Geisert. We are always
watching for the scarcer bodies...we recently had one of the two
1958 English made Tornado Typhoons that were in the US, but just
shipped it to a gentleman in Germany...so now Bob Wismer has the
only known example in the States.
We have the luxury of not working on customers cars, although we
occasionally will accept a “ special “ project. A family car with a
lot of history is hard to pass up, as not being “ special “. Most of
the cars we restore have history, although some do not. Often, like
the Typhoon, the cars are acquired by others before we get to finish
them, as a lot of buyers 'want it their way ' .
Since the recent resurgence of interest in vintage cars and racing,
we try to pass on “tips” when appropriate, and encourage owners and
prospective owners in their restoration efforts, and try to answer
all calls and emails that come to us through the website
http://www.race-cardrivers.com/shop.htm
We still try to get a few vintage road race track events and hill
climbs each year...but it's about the cars now, not coming in first,
anymore. I guess I am retired
Best Regards to you all,
Dave Perry
OldSchool Restorations
Vintage KitCars and Racecars
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