Guys I am reaching out for help. In turn I will help you. I have been unemployed for over 2.5 years now as I was laid off. I have not been able to obtain work. My passion like many of you, is second gen ta's. Mine is both TA's and first gen camaros. I have loved them since the age of 16. A few of you have no idea what it takes to restore one of these vehicles. Some do, some don't. I know how to do it, and what I am not physically able to do, I can sub in house, or out of house. Shop rate since I am getting started is $50 an hour flat. That is cheaper than most classic shops, but low enough to be affordable to MOST. A little on my back ground, I have learned a lot by myself. I am 48 and still able to do a lot of things on my own and have enough sense about me to know when I need help on a situation. I started tearing into 1968 camaros all the way down since I was 16. I can do fairly well at paint and body. I do my own work. It would just be me, and my 26 year old daughter to do parts chasing and phone calls. I can post pics of what I have accomplished on my own, or can accomplish by my resources I have around me.
Admins, please leave this post up as I desperately need assistance here. I have looked today at a 2 and a half car bay that would give me plenty of room to start. It is $500 a month, with a $500 deposit. If I can get some work coming in, I can rent the building. Its a one year lease, and I would have to sign a one year contract. Electricity and water would be separate. I may have to get a certificate of occupancy from the city not sure on that. I have my own tools, power tools and everything to work on one of these cars. I have jack stands for now. These will not be frame off UNLESS you require it and allow me the time to do it right. I want to only do factory type 1977-1979 Ta's for now. I do not want to get into custom work at the moment. Just normal interior, paint and body, and mechanical s. I am in Dallas Texas. Currently I own my own lawn mower repair/ go kart repair shop out of my home but it is way to slow to eat off of. This car business would at least help me manage to live or survive at least until I can get my settlement check. I have seen many drivable cars starting at 3k and up. But instead of buying cars up front, I would rather lets see what can of work I can get (if any) from you guys until I can get a site up and firmly started. I have to start somewhere. I started my mower business on CL. I would rather start Trans Am of Dallas on here and test the waters to see if this is what I am able to do or not. Its where my heart is, and I think I can bring the community and the public a decent service. I do not claim to know everything about 77-79 tas. I have owned them but do not claim to be an authority no more than I would on a 1968 camaro, even though I have owned nine of them. As we go along I would like to keep this thread open so I can get feedback from YOU guys as well as to how we are doing. I have sent an email out to Rick @ trans am specialty about buying parts from them as I know these guys are the tops! Please. Let me help you by you helping me. I need to take that "next step" as this is the only way I know how. I quit a job in 2004 to do this very same thing, but I had a buddy that was going to finance the operation abandon ship after I had quit my job. I am taking another step. Please help if you can, and please do not let this be a negative thread of "Don't do this," or "This is not a good idea" and so on. I hear that all the time and have heard enough of that. This is a quest for your trust and business. Thanks.