I haven't been around much lately

[Brian Fishburn]

No, I haven't been around at ALL lately. My wife and daughter have always supported my building car kits, and have never hesitated to grab one they thought I would like.

Well, in the fall of 2009, they came up with a plan. They started stealing all the change jars around the house. I noticed them disappearing, but didn't think anything of it- I just figured someone needed a shekel or two, and that's what the change jars were for anyway. What I didn't notice was the weekly check for groceries was 10-20 dollars higher than usual.

In Spring of 2010, they sprung their surprise. I was handed an envelope full of cash. "Happy father's day. Go get a project car."

So, a few weeks of shopping, and I brought home this:

1951 Chevy Styleline Special. 216, 3 on the tree, torque tube driveline. Runs decent, but has serious rust issues, totally wrong wheels and bitchen stick-on flames.

So- most of my free time in the past year and a half has been spent on it. Until a month ago, I hadn't spent any appreciable time at the model bench at all. In the past month, I've been building a model as a tribute to a modeling buddy that passed away, and it will be done soon.

As for the car, it's coming along, slowly but surely. Plans are to de-rust it, lose the babbit pounder six and torque tube driveline, and make a traditional custom out of it. If you're interested, I keep a blog on the build: http://51kustom.blogspot.com/

Edited September 16, 2011 by Brian Fishburn

[Jantrix]

Sorry to hear about your friend but the rest of the story is as cool as it gets. Looks like you got your work cut out for you. Keep us updated.

[Jeff Johnston]

wow...that's great. What best about it is the story of how your wife saved and surprised you. Sounds like you got a good one Wife that is ... and the car lol.. I bookmarked the blog as its a really interesting car. Looks like you are making progress.

[SuperStockAndy]

Brian, since we live somewhat close, think I could take it off your hands?

[MikeMc]

DUDE.......Its got Kustom Paint!!!!

[LAone]

wow, thats great of your wife and kids to surprise you like this.

sorry to hear about your friend though.