Where Have All The Good People Gone

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Have they all joined NPR?




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Maybe show up at local Hot Rod show and start asking around for someone that might help. Most of those guys are not afraid to turn a wrench and might actually enjoy working on something simple and 100% mechanical.
Joe B

PS. Does the local High School have an auto shop class ?
 
As a kid in the 60s who didn’t know much, I learned about all I needed to know just by reading a bit and talking to mechanics and parts store guys, but mostly I learned by doing.

Now at 79, I can mostly diagnose my Model A problems and buy parts that might be needed. All I need is someone who knows a little and is interested in working on a fairly simple older car.

My suggestion, repeating JoeCB, is to look for high school and junior colleges that might have auto shop classes where students are learning basics. It is not that hard if you can give a little guidance to your help. … or find a now rare gas station that also works on cars.
 
Actually that's me on the left talking to the Club President, my '31 Budd Cap to the right. Now there's a shop up near the Palm beach Airport, but that's about 60 miles drive -- Flat Bed Tow has going passed $400 one way. Club President has offered to drive down, but I'm reluctant to bother him. I'm retired, he's not, but with my surgery recovery, I'm no help. I have no problem paying someone, hate to see my truck idled since June 23rd. My feeling are - if I can't drive it, must sell it. Thanks Everyone
 
Guess What? From a co-worker: Private Restoration Shop By Appointment Only. Race cars and he owns 2 Model A's, '31 Chevrolet, and just sold his Model T. Charges $150 an hour and is about 12 miles away!
Will know more later
 
There's a rod shop about 45 minutes away I have used many times for my Olds. He is in his 40's but knows about many different makes of cars. His shop is clean and he does top-quality work. I asked him if he could work on my Model A if I had the need and his eyes lit up and said "Bring it to me anytime, I love working on those!" He was brought up with many relatives who had many older cars and he worked on all of them. I'm impressed with the wide scale of knowledge he has for the early and later cars and consider that a rarity in this day and age.
 
Marshall V. Daut said:
"Charges $150 an hour"

High-class Vegas call girls don't get that much per hour. And they guarantee satisfaction. Does this mechanic??? :)
M.
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and? would you trust a <$150,- hooker?


on a side note: i can't find a proper blacksmith for my horses shoes anymore... where have they all gone?
 
"i can't find a proper blacksmith for my horses shoes anymore... where have they all gone?"

Where have all the Smithys gone? Under the spreading chestnut tree perhaps?
'Sorry. 'Couldn't resist that one..
Marshall
 
My father was a Tool and Die Maker who passed in 1982. Back then he said that this country was losing its skilled machinists and mechanics to overseas resources; that in years to come this country would be "in trouble"! It's now happening. Future employment opportunities here will provide nice livelihoods for those who have mechanical skills.
 
How can the upcoming and future generations in America acquire mechanical skills when they are taught only computer and electronics operations in school? Is there such a thing as "shop class" in high school anymore? Working with one's hands to actually repair a machine is sneered at by these people still living in their parents' basements. Where did such entitlement come from anyway? Let's see: Unskilled. Check. Uneducated because schools are only babysitters and are out of session 1/2 the time. Check. Working with one's hands is deemed beneath their dignity. Check. Yup. The future looks REAL rosy for this country with this brand on low grade moron eventually reproducing, voting and occupying public office. I'm glad I won't live long enough to see my country hit rock bottom - only to discover that rock bottom has a basement. The sky is falling, the sky is falling...
Marshall
 
Marshall V. Daut said:
CAN be fixed by just about any service station with even a mildly competent mechanic. That corner gas station mechanic should be able to install a new manifold for you...
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"service station", "corner gas station mechanic". Now there are two terms you don't hear around these parts any more.

All we have are Mini Marts with gas pumps and a car wash. I put myself thru college working at Service Stations and Driving a AAA truck at night.
 
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Yeah, but the kid living in his/hers parents basement can fix my computer. And that is what modern cars are anyway, computers with engines and wheels. Did you know that you can buy a tuner to re program your car's computer. Don't like beeping at you when you don't put on your seat belt? Re program the computer. Switching to all LED's but don't want to have to add ballast resistors at each light? Re program the computer.
 
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