All this talk about youngsters vs. elders got me thinking....I'm curious how age vs. years of experience plays a role in this group. I'm sure somebody will be offended, but it may be interesting.....Oh yeah, I'm 28 years old with 8 years experience in case anybody wants to know. I grew up working with my dad on heavy equipment since I was born though, so I got a head start.... ;)

Im 40 but started when I was 16 but Im not sure about experience. I said over 10 just because of my age. I was 20 when I first hit the drag strip in my 67 Camaro and ran a best of 14.5 with a 327 T350 and a 10 bolt with 2.73 gears:D

How would you define experience?

I am on the bubble since I'm 35 but have played with cars since my mid teens.

I am over 40 and have been playing with car since high school. I have owned Ol' Blue since 1979 ( man that makes me feel old when I type that ).

(the other) Greg

How would you define experience?
Sorry Mark, I should have defined experience as in experience in this car hobby in particular. I didn't figure in my youngster years on backhoe, excavator and bulldozer repairs because that isn't part of this hobby although mechanically they are very similar. Your experience doesn't have to be Chevrolet or Chevelle related only, I just meant automobile related as in a hobby or enthusiast, drag racing, road racing, etc. Better?

Edit: Thinking about experience, I just thought of something else....I've NEVER DRIVEN MY CAR, I know, it seems impossible but after 8 years of hard work, tons of money, and a 3 year break for house remodel and flight school, it still isn't done. I don't even know how it feels to ride in one of these cars since I've never known anybody with one to ride in except myself. I don't know if this is extreme patience or insanity but I'm determined to get it on the road someday....man I should have driven it before I pulled it all apart to 'fix the floors'

I'm 44... started on my first car a '68 Chevelle at 16. Learned some bodywork skills at its expense. I pulled the heads and ground the valves in autoshop, stabbed a 275hp/327 cam in place, had duals with Cherry Bombs installed.
Some 5 slot mags and air shocks and I was styling.:D

Was going to SIR before I even got that car on the road but only as a spectator. Attended Highschool Drags, Fox Hunts, etc.

First time down the 1320 was in my '67 390/4sp Mustang with 3.00 gears...
It ran mid 14's with the BFG G60x14's just shredding. I finally turned a 14.04/88mph (topped out in 3rd) by taking a 300lbs buddy with me and getting some traction. :D At this point the motor had 88k on it and had never been apart.

Knowing what I know now, that car had a lot more in it. Easing off the line and actually using 4th gear could have netted easy mid 13's.:yes:
I ended up going with 3.55 gears but never ran it down the track after the swap and building the motor (11:1 comp/280H cam/GT heads/factory alum. intake/650 double pumper).

Got into SCCA/ICSCC import road racing for a couple years... bought a '67 Elky stuck a 350 long block with some add-on's in it and used it to tow my race car the last season.

After selling the race car and trading in the Elky for a new Toyota 4x4...
I played around with some 4x4's for a few years but didn't have another project car until buying the Buick in '06.

I'm 49. The neighbor Jim in SoCal had a boat with Blown Hemi. I started on this, age 14, removing the headers...not knowing which way to turn the wrench. Summer of my 15th year, went on the road with his Blown Alcohol FC, World Champ that Fall. Helped build some engines in Jim's garage, did some 3-angle Valvejobs, then built my 68 RatNova age 18. More engine builds followed. The early 90s was building the 68 RatVette. Also some autocross with my 85 Z-51 Vette about that timeframe.

I am 42. I started as a boy playing with Matchbox cars. At 10 or 11 I started tinkering with the Chevelle, breaking it sometimes to the point that the local dealership did not need instructions on how to get to our house with the tow truck. I also learned at that time that plumbers putty is not the same as body putty.

When I was old enough to drive (legally) I drove it in high school and took it to college. In college I bought a 72 MC with a 402 without my parents knowing. I had 2 cars at college.

Right out of high school I worked part time atan Olds / Nissan dealer. In college I worked as a mechanic and after college I worked at a Jaguar dealer and in 2 Ford Dealers for 12 years as a Service Manager and Assistant Service Manager. I have been out of the car business for 8 years now. Still have the same Chevelle. MC is long gone. I just finished my first big project Chevelle and am looking for another.

I'm 42 & I know I'm only an 'honorary' TCNW member but,
I started when I was born in the back seat of my dads new '66 Olds 442 on the way to the hosp.
then, in my teens, Mom wrecked her '71 Chevy Caprice w/a 400sb which ended up as the engine in my '69 Nova SS (21 y/o now) & after much trail & error & help from FastFrank who now races a pro mod, the Nova was running 11.00s on motor & 10.30s on a small shot of N2O.

@ age 30 I was diagnosed with MS & couldn't race anymore so the car sat in my garage & I started to make it into a 427 street car,but I ran into an old friend that wanted to go racing & was gonna cut up his dad's 'old Chevelle'.
Once I saw the Chevelle & decoded all the vin#s & found it to be #s matching & a real SS 454,we traded & I never looked back.

I'm a spry and cagey 41, but I feel 21 most days...some mornings a little older. ;)

First car was a '67 Chevy II with a 327 and a muncie. Got it at 14 and tinkered with it for a couple years before I could drive it. Had my fun with that car, sold it, and bought a '71 Grand Prix SJ, 455 th400 12 bolt that I got off a minister. First car I went 140 mph in...on gas station tires. :sad: Then got into the Baja Bug scene with a '68 chopped up Beetle. That car was a ton of fun...and un-killable. Man, did we try though. Probably the cheapest thrills car I've ever owned. Once I finished thrashing it, traded it and cash, for a freshly painted '68 Beaumont with a 327 and a full set of Firestone Super Sports...N50-15's on the rear. Car spun those easily...in the rain. :)

Suddenly High School was over, and had to head to college so the $$$ for playing with cars dried up. Worked with friends on their rides over the years and owned a variety of late model psuedo-fast cars, but never really got into building another car until I dragged the Chevelle home on Father's Day 2005. After 3 years of puttering on it, it made it's first full dragstrip pass on Father's Day of this year. :cool:

And that made it all worthwhile.

30years old here... Got my first elky at 17... Gutless 1975 w/ 2bbl 350, I Didn't have anyone around to help point me in the high HP direction at the time, but it had one hell of a sound system! :rolleyes:
Luckily a few years later a friend pushed me in the right direction when I bought a 69. About 10 years ago I worked for a guy who Raced Imports who would regularly take me for 110mph blasts in his 12 second Twin Turbo Supra, which got me wanting more power... He got me to the track, even though at the time i couldn't break 15.0 with my 70 elky.... I had the bug....

BTW... I'm Currently on elky # 6 ;)

Got my chevelle with a 2bbl 350/th350/10bolt and tweety yellow back when I got my lisence. Best birthday present to date.:D

31. didn't vote because I have more then 10 years exp. since I started at 20, and I didn't feel that "22-35, over 5 years experience" properly reflected the 11 years I have been spending most every dollar I earn on my project cars.

;)

im 20 got the nova for xmas when i was 13 but didnt really know what to do with it got a 350 from a tired work truck slapped that in it and made it driveable. built its current 350 in 05 at the high school auto shop and other than that slung more bondo onto it that i would like to remember, made the spiderweb grille. i also owned a 72 240z, 73 opel manta which handled like it was on rails, various hondas which i thought were fast lol. currently tinkering with the nova and the 67 tow rig which may be sportin a new look come next time at the track. so i have more than 5 years but the first few were very basic but after meeting these characters nothing is impossible and hopefully with some guidance the tcnw group will come out with some wicked machines in the coming years

34 and got my chevelle when I was 16. Been wrenching since before I could drive. I use to work for my uncle and I have worked on and driven everything from a 1959 Bucyrus-Erie crane to modern day cars, to finally the designing and machining of my college's (WWU) FormulaSAE mini-V8.

Best birthday present to date.:D

really?? I can think of better things than that:yes: haha

I'm 18 going on 19. Bought my first 66 chevelle out 15 sold that and bought my el camino. But I've been around cars all my life. been going to the End of the World rod run since I was 4

really?? I can think of better things than that:yes: haha

Theres a difference between fantasy and reality paul:yes:

Im 25, and Ive been playing with cars since I was 14-15. Ive been a technician at car dealers since I was 18, so I guess I have a little bit of experience. Nothing quite like this hoddy though. I just cant undersand how people would rather bird watch, than spen rediculous amounts of money on something that you may not even get to drive for years. Beats me......haha

I got my crate in 2000, that was my first muscle car. I was 24 then, will be 33 in a week.

Theres a difference between fantasy and reality paul:yes:

Think whatever you want I ain't gotta prove it

46 in November :sad: I've been working on cars since I was tall enough to drive and if I counted all the cars I've owned (including parts cars) it would well be over 100 :yes:
Got the "yank tank" bug at 19 when I bought a 68 impala and have loved USGM cars ever since.
Love chevelle's (this is my second) but have a soft spot for mid year corvettes as well

I'm 40 and a beginner :D

How would you define experience?

Cars,,, not the other expierence!!!!!!!!!! :noway: :hurray:

Edit: Thinking about experience, I just thought of something else....I've NEVER DRIVEN MY CAR, I know, it seems impossible but after 8 years of hard work, tons of money, and a 3 year break for house remodel and flight school, it still isn't done. I don't even know how it feels to ride in one of these cars since I've never known anybody with one to ride in except myself. I don't know if this is extreme patience or insanity but I'm determined to get it on the road someday....man I should have driven it before I pulled it all apart to 'fix the floors'

I'll offer up a moral building ride to ya, :yes: Others have enjoyed and been motivated in the past by nice gear banging burnouts. :hurray:

really?? I can think of better things than that:yes: haha

What, 55 gallon barrel of hand lotion!

What, 55 gallon barrel of hand lotion!

Wow Darryls on a roll:D

Oh and take Darryl up on that ride, Trust me you will never be the same:yes::thumbsup:

What, 55 gallon barrel of hand lotion!
Daaaaaaaaammmmmmmmmmmmmnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!:thumbsup :

...Oh and take Darryl up on that ride, Trust me you will never be the same:yes::thumbsup:

And neither will the pavement in Arlington. :thumbsup:

Oh and take Darryl up on that ride, Trust me you will never be the same:yes::thumbsup:
Yeah, even crack isn't that addictive:D

I'm 40 and a beginner :D

hahahahahal:)l:)l:)l:) you 40??? add 20 years (if you can) old man

What, 55 gallon barrel of hand lotion!

they have barrels of it?? sweeeeet

21, been around cars since forever. Worked on them since I was a freshman in high school at 14. Put the motor in my first car that same year (2001), an 86' Cutlass Supreme with a 231 V6. Was really turned off to the tuning side of things after the electric carburetor it had. Went to Lake Washington Tech (2005 start, late 06' left)in Kirkland and left during the 4th quarter since the teacher was there for a paycheck and I wanted more hands-on experience. Worked at Mazda until I was arrested for street racing (stupid 18 year old thing to do) and haven't been in a tech job since. Waiting for my record to clear after next June/July so I can get back into it.

Always worked on my buddy's cars and whatnot along the way and still do. Just got the Chevelle/Malibu, so now I'm getting back to my roots :D

Both my father and grand father where very into cars and hot rods, I really grew up doing this stuff. I can remember bolting on a set of heads with my dad on a mid 60's Rambler with a 327 4 speed he use to race around town in when I was about 6, I have a picture of me sitting on the inside of the engine compartment on the inner fender well "helping" dad:)

I'm 31 and started with an early ford truck that I bought for $1000 earned while mowing lawns and fixing bikes, it was a cool hot rod. I sold it and saved for a '67 mustang fastback, drove and worked on it all the way through high school, sold it to pay for collage. Got into motorcycles for a few years buying and selling many untill finding my '66 and it lead me to hydroplane racing. I bought my '70 almost two years ago with the thought of a small project and to make a couple bucks, now I'm too attached to it:D

I'll offer up a moral building ride to ya, :yes: Others have enjoyed and been motivated in the past by nice gear banging burnouts. :hurray:

I'm sure you would:yes:....I used to fly the helicopters up there out of Arlington Airport, so that was an experience in itself. If you can handle 1500 ft/min free fall from the sky in an emergency auto rotation, I think I can handle a 6000 rpm blast:cool: My uncle did used to drag race his Monza with a blown 400, but that was long gone by the time I rode in it.....

I'm sure you would:yes:....I used to fly the helicopters up there out of Arlington Airport, so that was an experience in itself. If you can handle 1500 ft/min free fall from the sky in an emergency auto rotation, I think I can handle a 6000 rpm blast:cool: My uncle did used to drag race his Monza with a blown 400, but that was long gone by the time I rode in it.....


More like 7000+ RPMs through 4 gears sidways. And yes that screaming will be you:yes:

More like 7000+ RPMs through 4 gears sidways. And yes that screaming will be you:yes:

And me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I scream driving just as loud as my passengers. Dang I love burnouts!!!!!!!!!

Oh and Sometimes 7500 RPM blasts :thumbsup:

I really need to go for a ride in that car!

I keep getting rained-out and don't get a ride:pout:
Heck, I'd be happy to get a ride in the vinyl-top 68 Chevelle:D

the rumor is tammys camaro is scarier cause its wayy lighter.... ill stick with the chevelle lookin straight down the road through darryls window in fourth :thumbsup:

32 years old here, started modifying and playing with cars at 16 when I got my first beater. So thats 16 years of experience I guess!

lookin straight down the road through darryls window in fourth :thumbsup:

:thumbsup:

26 here... bought my first chevelle at 14... second and third at 15.... eh, you get the picture!

Brian
:beers:

23 years old here, had my chevelle since I was 15...... I had a 72 monte carlo for a little while, when I was 16 but wrecked it really bad and never got to take the disc brakes, and 12 bolt rear out of it.... :( my dad had a 58 belair when I was growing up, that car was a blast! my brother bought a 57 chevy when we were in high school... its still sitting in my parents garage collecting dust..... I think that will be my next project

Ok, so here it is,

My 69 chevelle I've had since I was 14 years old. To sweet'n the deal, my now wife, tammy, bought her 69 camaro when she was 15. She was originally wanting a 67-68 RS but came across the 69 and bought it because it was the same year as my chevelle and nearly the same color.

Been heavily addicted to gear head activities since the day I brought home my chevelle.

Expierence, 26 years and counting.

Hey, who's had NO2 the longest. Bought my first kit in 1988 and still have the same kit (yes, it even works).

the rumor is tammys camaro is scarier cause its wayy lighter.... ill stick with the chevelle lookin straight down the road through darryls window in fourth :thumbsup:


:noway: I dont agree as I have been lucky enough to ride in both cars. There is just something about a BB chevy at 7000 RPMs sidways that makes me smile:D The camaro was fun but its just different..:yes:

Speaking of different, local guy Scott gave me a ride in his 31 Ford Roadster. Engine, frame, and bucket and nothing else! 350 power ta boot. I figured this would be lethal. NOT! Twin Eddy carbs LOOK great, just no bottom end. For the distance we went....even ELKY woulda been kicking his arse. This was my first ride EVER in one of these contraptions.....

Im 32 I came home from the hospital in 69 dart 340 swinger,red ,black vinyl top,and white strip.First car was a 73 chevelle that my grandparents ordered brown,with tan interior and vinyl top.350 2bbl the car had bias plys on it.they are grrrrrreat for burnouts.First mandatory upgrade was cyclone headers with cherry bombs attatched straghit to the headers:thumbsup:

I'm 50, so does that put me in the 35-50 group or the 50 and over group??? I'm confused :D

It appears to me that either you are young and have no woman so you can afford to play with cars or you're older and kids are on or about on their own so you can afford to play with cars ;) I cant afford a woman and a car :D

It appears to me that either you are young and have no woman so you can afford to play with cars or you're older and kids are on or about on their own so you can afford to play with cars ;) I cant afford a woman and a car :D

Im 40 have a wife and a 3 1/2 year old. Im lucky and my wife works from home and takes care of my son and makes more money then me.:yes: and lets me play with cars as they are safer than motorcycles that I used to be into....

57 years old, bought my first car at 16 and did a paint job in my dad's garage. Cut the floor and put a $39 three speed floor shifter in. Got a Cherry bomb muffler. All on a 63 Dodge Dart GT slant six! At 20 I bought a 65 Chevelle SS. 327/250 4 spd. Rebuilt motor around age 22 and built it to 350hp specs, without the pistons. Painted this car about 5 times! I haven't stopped since then. following are mostly all ground up and I did everything except upholstery work and trans work. Street rods and antiques were the only ones off the frame. The rest were frame on.
63 Dart GT paint
65 Chevelle SS motor and paint
65 El Camino paint and interior 66 thunderbird bucket seats!
31 Ford Roadster
31 Ford sedan
61 Austin healey 3000
51 MGTD
61 Vette
63 Vette
65 Mustang conv
34 ford Roadster rod
34 Chev 4 dr rod
34 ford victoria rod Current car
55 Chev street machine
69 Impala wife's car!
65 Chevelle SS second 65 Chevelle Current car
68 Corvette in progress my brothers car
paint and body work for others
31 Ford deluxe Phaeton
26 Model T touring
28 Ford Touring
Maybe painted 20 cars for other people, some just daily drivers
I'm finally getting the hang of it and know when I'm done it will actually drive and work!

Wife never had anything to do with it. I took care of my home and cars and traded work or worked in the garage for money to spend on cars. Sometimes sold cars to finance the next project and/or buy equipment. My daughters spent lots of time in the garage and at other garages.

wow matt that paint looks real nice on the 34 and the 65 good job:thumbsup:

It appears to me that either you are young and have no woman so you can afford to play with cars or you're older and kids are on or about on their own so you can afford to play with cars ;) I cant afford a woman and a car :D

you hit the nail on the head.

I started out painting Dupont Duluxe enamel! It was under $30 a gallon! Finally got pretty good at it which made acrylics pretty easy to learn. Most of the cars I did that mattered were lacquer, the Chevelle is single stage urethane. The 34 is 26 year old lacquer, which most guys say won't last. Not sure many of those guys are old enough to have done much lacquer, though. All those original Chevelles have lacquer on them! I have pix of almost all the stuff I did. Luckily my dad took lots of pictures and I have put most of our cars in a photo album.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29468651@N02/

I'm 50, so does that put me in the 35-50 group or the 50 and over group??? I'm confused :D


If I were you, I'd vote for the younger group....no offense but it makes sense:D:thumbsup:

It appears to me that either you are young and have no woman so you can afford to play with cars or you're older and kids are on or about on their own so you can afford to play with cars ;) I cant afford a woman and a car :D

I'm 21 with a girlfriend that intend on marrying one of these years lol Hell, she bought half the car with me ;) So no problems here :D :thumbsup:

I'm 21 with a girlfriend that intend on marrying one of these years lol Hell, she bought half the car with me ;) So no problems here :D :thumbsup:

So what you're really saying is one of these years she'll own ALL the car:)

So what you're really saying is one of these years she'll own ALL the car:)

Never that lol She know's better ;) And she already told me it was definitely more for me than anything else. She'd just always wanted a 70' Chevelle and is happy enough as being part owner and getting the chance to drive it every once in a while :p

Im 18 and just started working on cars 2 yrs ago. before that i just watched my dad and sat around thinking of questions.... but now i own a 68' chevelle malibu 307 with powerglide and just trying to save up to resto the damage of time.... but thats one of the best things about this site is that you can come here with no knowlege and or all the knowlege you think you could have and still find somthing new.

Some of you older guys list out the cars you have had. I know that lot's of guys have been thru lots of different cars and taught themselves by doing all those projects.

If you are starting out, jump in and be patient, you can learn to do most anything on these older cars.

why do i see pauls name in the 5+ years experience bracket? working on cars since he was 13??? you'd think he would have learned somethin by now?:noway:

why do i see pauls name in the 5+ years experience bracket? working on cars since he was 13??? you'd think he would have learned somethin by now?:noway:

:thumbsup: nice,

why do i see pauls name in the 5+ years experience bracket? working on cars since he was 13??? you'd think he would have learned somethin by now?:noway:

Weren't we all ?

I guess you haven't seen how nice his elky is. It's the real deal.

Weren't we all ?

I guess you haven't seen how nice his elky is. It's the real deal.

True, got to give the kid kudo's on his car.

True, got to give the kid kudo's on his car.

thanks guys. I have been wrenching since my dad and I pulled his 57 chev stepside apart to "redo" it (never happened) that was in 3rd grade. so about 9-10 years ago. Luckily I have cool enough parents to let me use their tools, and shop. Almost all of my success is due to them

So do you get free mochas working at Starbucks??? I guess as much as I drink it would saveme a ton of $$$$ if I worked at a coffee shop too and some eye candy would be a big bonus.

So do you get free mochas working at Starbucks??? I guess as much as I drink it would saveme a ton of $$$$ if I worked at a coffee shop too and some eye candy would be a big bonus.


Hahaha no I do get a BIG discount though. The eye candy isn't too bad either. :yes: I have noticed that the tips have gone up since I've started working there.

It would be pretty funny seeing Darryls work at starbucks though.:D

So do you get free mochas working at Starbucks??? I guess as much as I drink it would saveme a ton of $$$$ if I worked at a coffee shop too and some eye candy would be a big bonus.

You'd just bowl blend the coffee maker to improve performance and add some nitrous to the grinder to make it faster. :D

and he'd up the compression on the steamer too.:yes:

You'd just bowl blend the coffee maker to improve performance and add some nitrous to the grinder to make it faster. :D

Thats funny right there.....add to the TCNW rules. Darryl is not allowed torwards anything mechanical that is not car related.:D

thanks guys. I have been wrenching since my dad and I pulled his 57 chev stepside apart to "redo" it (never happened) that was in 3rd grade. so about 9-10 years ago. Luckily I have cool enough parents to let me use their tools, and shop. Almost all of my success is due to them

3rd grade for me....about 33 years ago. :sad:

Almost all of my success is due to them

Despite your shortcomings, Paul, that is a very cool thing to say about your folks. :)

With age comes experience, the problem is with age comes also forgetfulness so you get older and get more experience and forget what you learned.

It is nice being Young! for now...

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