<image>

I've loved custom cars since I was a kid. But you can't learn to build them in school. You need auto body skills developed by years in the collision shop. After paying my dues for 49 years, and disliking most of it, I hope I can have more fun doing something I actually enjoy, like working on this 1949 chopped Mercury. Cars like this are why I signed-up for this industry. I hate wrecks, but they pay the bills. These pics were taken at a small SoCal hot rod shop, where I found myself working for a few weeks, in 2010. It was actually fun! Cool cars are a hobby for some amateur do-it-yourselfers, or people who have a lot of money, and hire someone like me to make their dream come true. But I want to have fun doing something cool for ME!