Advice for a Young Guy

[06stang]

My name is Alex Koser and I’m new to the Yenko.net discussion board. I am a 19-year-old first year student in the Automotive Restoration program at Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA.

I come from a long line of muscle car and performance car owners and I’ve always been interested in muscle cars. When I found that I could study auto restoration in college, I never wanted to do anything else. I am interested in both the actual work of restoring a car, as well as the classic car buying and selling business. I am not brand loyal to any make or model, and as much as I am into mild customs and “Day 2” period hot rodding, I consider myself a purist in restoring cars to how they originally came from the factory. I enjoy the hands on experience with cars and I have a passion to learn new things and I’m always eager to learn by example. As part of my studies, Penn College requires auto restoration students to experience an automotive related internship during the summer between the first and second academic years of the two-year program of study.

Being a first year student, I am started out in a non-structural collision repair class. My first semester program has introduced me to the disassembly and reassembly of a car, body repair with body filler and hammer and dolly techniques and panel fitment. The upcoming spring semester will introduce me to welding as well as additional body restoration skills and painting and refinishing.

I am also interested in the factory high performance engines of the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. I have some experience with “automotive archeology in decoding a family member’s 1964 Corvette. I’m also presently acquiring the engine components to build a vintage and era correct Day 2 283 Chevrolet as my first engine build, so I have some education in engines as well. I am also OSHA safety certified too.

I’m interested in a 2017 summer internship that will expose me to a classic car restoration shop where I can be part of a team and learn new skills and sharpen existing skills. I am open to internships anywhere opportunity takes me and classic auto industry-related companies partner with Penn College to make grants available to auto restoration students like me to help with housing costs during their summer internships.

As I begin my search for a 2017 summer internship, I thought this discussion board would be a great resource for suggestions and recommendations. I have seen a lot of the restorations on this site, and they are exactly the types of restorations that I am into. I am open to any opportunity that comes my way. I understand the importance of a young guy restoring classic cars to keep our hobby around for a long time. Any and all advice and guidance as I search for a summer internship would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much,
Alex Koser

P.S. Please feel free to contact me at any time. I can provide reference letters, program information, etc.
[email protected]
(717)-826-3484

[WILMASBOYL78]

Just when you think the hobby may not have a future...Alex comes along!

Alex...Best of luck in your efforts...you will find a lot of help and support on the SYC.

Tom Williams

WILMASBOYL78

[napa68]

Refreshing.................very refreshing. Welcome aboard!

Tim

[napa68]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthrea...amar#Post681499 (http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/681499/grady-burch-s-day-2-copo-camar#Post681499)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This..............study this <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/worship.gif

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Welcome

Your letter is well written, and I get the feeling you would be a hard worker.

There are many dangers in this hobby/trade, think first act second!

If I was you and I was mobile I would call Rick Nelson and try to convince him, he needs a young lad around for the summer! If I didn't need my paycheque I would do the same myself.

Ryan

I am a little older than you, (I am a 1972 model) but my Olds makes me feel and remember with absolute clarity my youth.

[earntaz]

Alex -- this is the number 1 site for awesome automotive meeting of the minds ... if you ever have Qs, here is the place to ask them (except for lotto #s) ... TAZ

[marxjunk]

Ive been in the body business my whole life..im to a point, i am trying to help the next generation when i can, i help with job placement etc, and heres my best advice.

If your gonna get in the biz...you want to be an owner, not an employee, so long term, work towards being a bodyshop owner...owners make money, employees make a check...theres a huge diff..

you need a business degree..period...to become an owner...you need to know how to take care of your money, and to be competitive, you really need to understand that..its more important than you could ever imagine..

starting at the bottom is a blessing..do every job in the shop, from cleaning toilets to fixing cars..everything...understand what it takes to do every job..its important...new people want to go straight to the top..and short cut it.

i washed cars, swept floors and did everything no one else wanted, and i never complained..i did what was needed, and i advanced quickly

heres some hard love... learn this early..you have 2 eyes, and 2 ears, but only 1 mouth, you should be listening and watching twice as much as talking...trust me...ive helped 100s if young people work their way up the food chain...ive seen everything that could be done in a body shop and every type of personality too..be humble and listen to what your elders are telling you, and be respectful, because the elders will bring you along, you need them, they are critical to your success, nothing in the class room is as important as the guidance and mentor-ship you need from these people..

from the day i graduated with a assoc degree in auto body technology, to the day i realized i was a real journeyman was 10 years...at 10, i knew what it took to fix a car etc..and i thought i knew it earlier, but was still learning..i could fix anything in my stall with no help or guidance...dont get me wrong, i could fix cars at 3 or 4..but at 10, i knew i made it...

this business is full of crooks and cheats, and my theory is, they have money probs because they never learned what it took to run and finance the operation..and then they become desperate, and desperate people do desperate things...

find a successful person and model yourself after that person...you wanna be like Chip Foose? then you need to know Chip and model yourself like him..hell..Chips a super nice guy..go find him and ask for a job..

Scott Tiemann? apply for an apprenticeship..you can walk in his shop and probably talk to him....he's easy to find and is prob one of or the most respected restoration specialists on the planet...ya wanna be the best..learn from the best!!

as a young man..travel to the job if need be...make it work..do everything and anything it takes to be successful and be honest..theres no reason not to be..and learn when to cut people out and off, if they are dragging you down

never carry a grudge..if someone does ya wrong, forgive and move on..besides..if you carry that grudge..think of all the negative energy despising or hating a person..they take your glory and waste your time..

always be a professional period...be clean cut and responsible for your actions...what people see is what they believe..so if your always professional and courteous, thats what people belive you are..

and let me tell you this, and if you ignore the rest...this is important...relationships get you thru life..good relationships are the key to success..learn how to network

so theres what i have learned in 35 years in the business, spelled out in 5 minutes..hope it helps

[old5.0]

Man, where were these restoration programs when I was a kid? Anyway, you came to the right place. Good luck. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

Mark, that is profoundly true, well said. Additionally, the principles outlined apply to most all areas of lift and occupations, so read it carefully and frequently. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[Craig_Maiorana]

Mark That was an amazing bit of advice. Being a generation X kid 41 now I have my own side of the tale as well. I will gladly give me 2 cents in a little bit.

[Charley Lillard]

That's why we keep Mark around.

[Craig_Maiorana]

The muscle cars and classics started as an obsession for me at very young age. In my younger days I was glued to tv shows like The Munsters, Dukes of Hazard, Starski &amp; Hutch plus movies like Smokey &amp; The Bandit, Hooper, 2 Lane Blacktop and especially Mad Max and The Road Warrior. All The while my uncles handed me tons of Hot wheels cars. I didn't realize until I was older that these were my humble beginnings. Then one day when I was 4 my pops asked me would I like to go to six flags or English-town Raceway park... My child hood curiosity peaked .. We went to E town. I spent a good portion of my life watching cars annihilate the 1/4 mile. I took auto in h.s all the while craving more information. Then I had the opportunity to take Vocational my junior and senior year. (when I was in school that was the equivalent of Wyo tech or Lincoln tech) As I got older i did odd jobs like oil change tech for a pontiac dealer then on to maaco and by the time I was 25 I made it in to the only Hot Rod shop in our town. My manager from Maaco worked there so he got me in. I literally started at the bottom. I didn't care after I made the jump from the body shop to the mechanic shop I took every chance to listen to the old school guys and learn. I was a sponge. I would go every February to the G. Potter King auction in Atlantic city with our shop. We would bring 10 to 15 cars and sell 9 and buy 5. I learned how to speak to people, both the blue collar guys and the well off guys that did not work on their own cars. I have tattoos but for the first time I did not feel like people were looking through me. When I spoke I spoke with purpose because I was finally doing something that I enjoyed. I was always the first one in in the morning and the last one out at night. I would be in the shop until 9 or 10 every night tinkering. I spent 5 years there until Greg decided he was done with NJ and moved his operation to NC. It was shortly after I met my future wife on aol and began the transition to California. I got to California as I turned 30 and bumped around from a few hack shops. Finally I found my place at Classic Industries. Now I maintain our collection of cars plus do test fitting and R&amp;D of new parts. I have been afforded the opportunity to do magazine articles, TV shows, Assist with books on certain vehicles as well as babysit some high value collector cars. I have also met pretty famous people as well as my hot rod idols. I went from being a punk kid who people paid no mind to to being respected and appreciated for what I do and what I know. The moral is set your goals. Don't ever let someone tell you that you can't do something. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS respect your elders and above all listen to what they have to say. They know an easier way to do it and they are not just blowing smoke up you backside. Take their advice and tricks because they will not always be here and the information they are giving you is golden and will be gone when they are. I still learn daily and I will never stop. The guys here have a wealth of information and most will tell what you need to know and they are no b.s some of the smartest guys I have ever dealt with. There will always be naysayers .. Take them with a grain of salt... DO what you love and you will never work a day in your life ... Go forth youngan and remember always be willing to help those younger than you... They are the future of this hobby. .... Be good and best of luck to you. I just like the fellas here will always be available to help.

Be good
Craig aka Jerzy

[Mr70]

Alex
Kelly Oeste,(V8 TV),just posted this on facebook..

<span style="font-style: italic">Auto Body Restoration Techinician Wanted:
Do you have auto body experience restoring muscle cars?
Do you pay attention to details?
Do you prefer working on muscle cars instead of Hondas?
Do you want to build show car quality muscle cars?

V8 Speed and Resto Shop in Red Bud IL has an immediate opening for an experienced, talented, auto body technician.

This position is for someone with body filler, fiberglass repair, plastic repair, and body work experience. Your knowledge and expertise will be relied upon heavily and rewarded generously. We work on classic Muscle Cars so knowledge of the older cars is important. 40 hour work week with optional overtime available. We pay holidays, vacation, and health insurance, 401K. Great crew to work with. Our restorations are often featured in national magazines, trade shows, and car shows.</span>

Online Job Application: http://www.v8speedshop.com/jobs

http://www.v8speedshop.com/index.php?opt...&amp;Itemid=160 (http://www.v8speedshop.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=73&amp;ca tid=8&amp;Itemid=160)