Future of restoration Options

[sixaddict]

Just saw a piece on Fox News highlighting McPherson (sic) College in Kansas …
Specializing in auto restoration……Wonder if they will accept me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) .
You know talent is needed when a major news outlet runs a feature on car restoration.

[bdstone914]

Not knocking Kansas but that does not seem like a place with a lot of car restorations.

[Superhawk996]

Not knocking Kansas but that does not seem like a place with a lot of car restorations.

Tractors Bruce . . . Think tractors!

John Deere is destroying the Ag industry with million dollar tractors, combines, and implements that are loaded with tech. The problem is when they break down the farmer has no ability or right to repair them. John Deere is among the worst when it comes to suppressing right to repair. If your rig breaks down during harvest and you can’t get a technician with the software to diagnose and program modules, your crop rots while you wait for a technician.

There is a growing market of farmers buying, selling, and yes restoring old iron that they can maintain and repair.

Sound familiar to what’s going on with automobiles? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Cairo94507]

About 6 years ago a friend took their '60 Cadillac convertible to a prison in Las Vegas to have it restored by the inmates in a highly coveted (for inmates) restoration shop program. You had to apply to get your car accepted, (they did all kinds of cars) and pay some nominal hourly wage, like $10, plus buy parts and materials. They had a waiting list, so I think they were on it for about 2 years to get their car into the shop.

The shop had the car for about 4 years total. I went with them to see the work in progress after they had been on it for about 1 year and was mostly impressed. The shop was run by a civilian employee who had a career in the body shop business.

All of the workers were great to talk with and really loved being in the program as they were learning skills that would translate to body shop jobs, upon their release. BTW, these were all low-risk inmates- not murderers, rapists, robbers, etc.

When I finally saw the car after it was completed, the paint work was excellent and keep in mind, these cars are like 19' long - it was nice and straight. The interior was really well done. The weak link was mechanical - it had a few engine issues- nothing major, the engine was the wrong shade of blue, the AC did not work, but the car ran and drove. The suspension needed a bit more work, but overall the car was nicely done. They even got the new convertible top to work properly.

I am posting this as you never know, someone who has a 914 and wants it restored, might want to give this some consideration and save some money. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Unobtanium-inc]

I sold a 356 a few years ago to a young guy who was enrolled there. He showed up a week later with 5 of his classmates and his teacher, who all poured over the car. This year another guy came to look at a car, he also goes there. I mentioned the 356, he said it's being restored at the college, he had worked on it!
A younger generation is getting in on the action.

[Root_Werks]

Wife bought a new Bronco in 2022. We sold it a few months ago and bought a 1972 Bronco to replace it.

[friethmiller]

Wife bought a new Bronco in 2022. We sold it a few months ago and bought a 1972 Bronco to replace it.

I've found my '23 Bronco to be pretty darn good. It has some minor quirks but a solid rig. A '72 Bronco is a whole other story... what an all-around classic vehicle. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif) Great decision!

[Artfrombama]

A fellow AACA member goes there every year and takes 5 day restoration classes.

[mepstein]

Not knocking Kansas but that does not seem like a place with a lot of car restorations.

Tractors Bruce . . . Think tractors!

John Deere is destroying the Ag industry with million dollar tractors, combines, and implements that are loaded with tech. The problem is when they break down the farmer has no ability or right to repair them. John Deere is among the worst when it comes to suppressing right to repair. If your rig breaks down during harvest and you can’t get a technician with the software to diagnose and program modules, your crop rots while you wait for a technician.

There is a growing market of farmers buying, selling, and yes restoring old iron that they can maintain and repair.

Sound familiar to what’s going on with automobiles? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

One of our customers restored a tractor like that but it was just for show. Cool piece of iron but it’s not going to work 10,000 acres. Those monster tractors are on monster farms.

[Superhawk996]

That is a 48’ Case Frankentractor that someone modified forever ago.

It’s my snow plowing workhorse. 77 years and still working hard - ain’t no show queen for sure.

Maybe someday I’ll find a Porsche or Lamborghini tractor (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[mepstein]

Customer restored this one because his father bought it new. It sits in his garage.
We sold the Porsche tractor for a customer of ours. He planned to restore but lost interest. We did get it running.

[PlantMan]

If you like watchin guys fix/restore tractors, check out 'A Few Acres Farm' over on the You Tube.
Pete does IH Farmalls and is a walking dictionary on that line.
Pretty interesting, I find.

[Superhawk996]

Customer restored this one because his father bought it new. It sits in his garage.
We sold the Porsche tractor for a customer of ours. He planned to restore but lost interest. We did get it running.

That’s a nicely redone Ford.

I don’t remember the Porsche tractor story - did you ever post about it? That’s a good OT thread!

[Unobtanium-inc]

Customer restored this one because his father bought it new. It sits in his garage.
We sold the Porsche tractor for a customer of ours. He planned to restore but lost interest. We did get it running.

Every collection needs a Porsche tractor.

[mepstein]

Customer restored this one because his father bought it new. It sits in his garage.
We sold the Porsche tractor for a customer of ours. He planned to restore but lost interest. We did get it running.

That’s a nicely redone Ford.

I don’t remember the Porsche tractor story - did you ever post about it? That’s a good OT thread!

There’s no real story. Customer bought it, it sat outside for a couple years. He wanted to sell and offered $500 if we could get it to fire up. Challenge accepted. Sold it for around what he paid and it was gone.

I think the Ford had about $7-10k in restoration dollars to do everything. Rebuild engine, trans, paint, etc. Nice showpiece that has great memories for the owner.

[Superhawk996]

Tractors are a whole lot cheaper to restore when you can get yer’ paint at Tractor Supply (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Those old Ford tractors are cool. A few years back I got one running after a long time sitting unused in the field. Then I did an alternator conversion on it a friend.

Back up and doing work as it was intended for.

I love seeing these old workhorses doing real work.

[Superhawk996]

Every collection needs a Porsche tractor.

What’s the backstory on that one? Needs some love and then put it back to work.

[bkrantz]

Not knocking Kansas but that does not seem like a place with a lot of car restorations.

Maybe, but in Kansas you still still use "chemicals" without a permit and a dozen cancer warnings. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[bdstone914]

I bought this cool tractor seat at an auction for $5. Going to make it into a shop stool
With the base from an office swivel chair.