Dragline

The argument that cars are getting more complicated doesn't wash. NAPA constantly trains employees. Whether it's office staff or on the counter, we all got training on the latest gadget or circuit added to new cars. We held training on A/C machines and recovery for our customers. We would feed them and reps would come in and hold classes. Counterpeople were not just asked to sit in, it was mandatory. If it ran 2 hours we were paid and fed. If it ran short, say 1/2 with Relevant info we did it on our own time and who attended was noted. When Quaker City Auto was purchased by NAPA inc everyone who worked at every store purchased was immediately out of date on training. Immediately... We started with how to reconcile your drawer, it was that comprehensive. It started like you were a first time employee, because you were. My boss had 55 years in the business at that point and even he had to go through it all. It didn't seem right, but right had nothing to do with it. It stresses us all out. It would take a man off the counter for an hour every day for everyone to go in the back and sit at that I fernal computer and train. Not easy stuff either. And ALL OF US were ASE certified. Every year we tested. Every year the rest was different. Every year it was tough. Nope, that doesn't wash.

What really drives me bonkers are the mechanics who charge up to 50% to the customer on parts. And I know of higher margins. They are making more than we do. And the customer gets hosed. More than once in my time on the counter has a customer walked in demanding to know what a garage paid for parts. He knows we cannot tell him, but they will insist. A shop making all that off parts AND giving me agita every day is/was something I don't miss. Making 15% on parts was what I was told to charge by my mentor. He insisted no more or less. We sometimes had to go get the parts. Other times they were delivered. At times I had to go wrench a part off a donor. In that case it was 25% if I had to go wrench a part off. A lot of times it was simple, others not so much. Truck laden with tools and the ride has to be paid for, I get that. Parts delivery is still free as far as I can tell. Sure, there are always hidden costs, but I was always led to believe delivery was part of business and it's in the price. Keeping a small fleet of delivery trucks and the retirees who drive em isn't free. With quality consistently declining, and online retailers cutting our throats it's a wonder there are as many parts stores as there are. Margins being what they are it's simply so tight out there. But with some stores lacking almost the basic knowledge of how cars operate, it's a wonder some stay in business. They know who they are.

One day you will paint the rider. It's not as tough as I thought. And with solution, the decals lay down on the curves quite nicely.

The end of an era. That seems to be a running theme in my life these days. Not just career path, and work related, but far too many other things. Music is one that really stands out. AI generated BS and the seeming death throws of Rock/Metal. During all this time I also played music. Not just a hobby either. During the early part of my life I wanted to be a Rock Star. I wanted the brass ring and all that came with it. I put 100% effort into it. With my parents blessing I leaned into it pretty hard. Got to some pretty good places and became an accomplished musician. But it's such a fickle business. I saw contemporaries ( Extreme, Godsmack, James Montgomery) get to live it while my various bands came close but no cigar. No matter how good you may think you are, timing is everything. And sometimes it's simply not in the cards. Great memories are what the majority of us have as we watched others get to the place we are shot for. No regrets and while I am not currently in a band, that is always a possibility. But the entire business has changed with the advent of the Internet. And not for the better in many cases. It's a good thing I have a large music collection to listen to. Most of what comes out is not listenable. Rant over...

These stories would be frightening if they were fiction. I am looking to retire and the local Chevrolet dealership has a counter spot available. I threw my paper at em and got a call. I go in a couple of days and see what they offer. I know it'll be a slight slap and not a punch to the gut, and I also know the place will be reasonably quiet and non pressure. Up my alley if the dough is right. I'll even get a nice discount for parts for my Impala. It's been without incident for a longer time than I expected. So I expect incident relatively soon. Between all who.post here I'll wager we could keep telling these stories ad nauseum. I know that as I respond or think on things old stuff just pops up in the old memory box. Some real corkers too. Makes me sad though. After all that time doing something I enjoyed, that even with all the bad/dumb stuff that happened I still find myself with rather fond memories. Seems like the good times outweighed the bad for the most part. I'm not such a cynic these days. Perhaps it's rose colored glasses...

When I was a daily mechanic I had an Audi 4000S in the shop. Typical Bosch alternator in place. It was low and not energizing every time so it was on the way out. I call Foreign Auto Parts for a replacement. First one won't energize. Second one would, but the bearing was so noisy I was afraid it was going to blow up in my face. 2rd time is a charm right? Wrong.... It took 4 until I got a good one. So 3 or 4 hours to replace an alternator. I had rolled it outside after the 2nd one. I am Bosch certified up to 98. That means electrical and fuel mostly. I e had a few bad fuel pumps over the years also. K Jetronic fuel systems require robust pumps to make them function properly. Measuring pressure at the rail is at times 120 lbs for certain motors. Benz always uses Bosch pumps. At one time the pumps were 100% good and I would install them without hesitation. In the latter years of my wrenching I would have them tested before they were even sent. FAP would test if you asked.

The parts biz is almost a complete wasteland of the incompetent and the useless. The parts have slowly become junk. American parts no longer exist and that's all I need to say about that.

Geezaloo that's a bad boy right there. Every touch is perfect.

My one and only but I have the Double Flip on the bench to wrap up.

Lovely stable of great cars. You'll fit in nicely with work like this.

They held up quite nicely . Welcome to the jungle.

Love the Jade paint. All your mods add just the right touches. Superb.

I did much the same as you in the 80s. We were a 5 piece playing the Prov RI/ Boston circuit. Opened up for some biggies. Made a lot of friends along the way. I'd say we were better than average by quite a bit, but the fickle hand of fate chooses some and not others. When Extreme got signed none of us were surprised. They had be kicking ass for a while and were so tight. Timing is everything in life bro. My Warrior and my EII Horizon III. My wife bought that for me for my 50th birthday. It replaces an ESP I had years ago that I always talk about wishing I hadn't sold. She's a keeper.

CRAZY gear dude! Love all of it. Building those guitars is such a great way to express your love of our instrument, and you have done that to a very high degree and standard. And the amps? That's just next level stuff. Sorry to hear you no longer make them. They look impressive and I'm sure we could talk for hours about them. After my now 43 years of playing, gigging and all around musical life I've discovered nothing makes people happier than music. It's simply the one way we communicate in which so much is said that cannot be spoken with mere words. It cuts right to the heart of us all. It also endears me to other people if they play any instrument of any type. It indicates a deepness within a person. An intelligence that is like a kindred spirit. Awesome stuff brother.

And, you can take the paint off with watered down Isopropyl.

I have a set of Thousand Sons Rubric Marines. I got em built and primed. I started in on painting them. As for the painting, it's from me so it's tight. I have more pics if you want. 65.00 box but I'll trade it for a cool kit.

Great bits make a great build. And you picked the right ones. Awesomeness.

How cool is that? The blue wheels are over the top.... Serious cool factor.

Old Tamiya kit here. I built the bike a few years ago and had assembled the rider. But I didn't have the confidence to paint the rider so I put it aside. Cut to all these years later and he is now where he belongs. This kit gets more expensive every year so I am glad I got it when I did. It was fun even if the build took a while.

What can be done with an old kit continues to inspire me. And apparently you. I'm loving it.

A silk purse from a sow's ear my friend. Well played...

Truly Epic build. I would be honored to have that on my shelf I assure you.

Looks great and that shelving unit is impressive.

Those were good days indeed.

Old kits are just a reason to break out the Plastruct or raid the parts bin. Make it better than the makers ever dreamed. At least that's how I approach em.