New Member in Rocklin CA

[ECoop]

Hi my name is Eric and I am new to metal shaping. I have always envied craftsmen who make car panels on an English wheel. I started out as a mechanic in the military and now I always seem to have a project in garage. In the past I built a 240z with a 12 cylinder jag engine, a wide body miata (made from foam core and fiberglass), and various specialty parts cast in carbon fiber. My current projects consist of restoring a 1977 Toyota celica gt and a 1968 Toyota fj40. As a teen I wanted to build a Prova Countach and religiously attended Knotts Berry Farm's kit car show every year through college. I met Joel Heinke at the San Leandro Marina many years ago when his GTO was just a primered shell and I distinctly remember that he was the nicest guy who took the time to tell me all about how he built his frame without welding and how he was able to replicate the car body. The shell didn't have glass yet but I was in awe of the level of skill displayed in his car. My current metal shaping experience is limited to repairing all the trays in my bar-b-que set with a box and pan brake. I have always wanted to make my own car from real metal and think that the insight from the experts on AllMetalShaping can help me realize that dream one day.