In 1970, my father traded a WWI bayonet that was re-issued for WWII for a 1939 Packard and it was in the garage my whole life. I always liked tinkering with that car. When I was 13, he took me to my first car show. I was overtaken by the "coolness" of these old antiques. The hand cranks, brass, gas lights, chain drives, exposed valves, priming cups, etc. It was then I knew I needed to learn how to restore a car, specifically the Packard. I went to a Technical school at 15 to learn Auto Body and was pretty good at it. I graduated and started working at MAACO. What a joke that was. I was taught the right way in school, but when I started at MAACO, I learned the WRONG way. From there I moved on to a real body shop and honed my skills from there. I left the auto body field after 4 years and moved to the entertainment business, computer business and manufacturing, respectively. I continued to keep my skills sharp in all areas. It took me 11 years to restore the Packard. I still have the Packard but it has become a headache and maintenance item. I cant bring myself to sell it, but the day will come as I hate to have it sit there and not be used. One day when I was about 14, I was riding my bicycle through the back roads and came across some old looking motorcycles outside. I was curious what they were, so I knocked on the doors and the guy came out and told me they were a Vespa, Bultaco, and an Ossa. They were so interesting to me. I offered to get them running for him in exchange for letting me ride them for a week (what a business kid). He actually agreed to this scheme and that's what started my fascination with "barn fresh" cars/motorcycles. I just love finding something that has been sitting a long time and getting it running. I can't explain why, I just do. There is nothing like the feeling when it first starts up bellowing out a cloud of smoke. Throughout the years, I have owned several cars, but none more fun than cars of teen's, 20's and 30's. I love them as original as they can get. Bottom line, I love buying new toys and playing with them...and most important, HAVING FUN!! but I always want new ones as I get bored quickly with them...hence why I sometimes sell what I have. I am just a 39 year old guy who likes to have fun, has a fascination with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and wants to own a Stanley Steamer in a bad way!
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