I need someone very experienced with working on drag racing cars for one or two days a week at my shop in Beasley, Texas – which is 40 South by Southwest of Downtown Houston.
This might be the perfect opportunity for a retired-age person, who was a 8-9 second drag racer who maintained his own car, who would like to move south for his retirement – but like to work on 60s Mopars for extra scratch.
Primary duties would be to take care of repairs and maintenance of two 9-second Nostalgia Super Stock cars. One is a 1960 Plymouth and the other a 65 Coronet.
Both have 580ci Mopar Wedge engines, 727 transmissions, 9″ rear ends and are 4-link rear suspensions with stock front suspensions. Maintenance would be running the valves, checking all nuts and bolts (headers, starter motor, water pump, torque convertor, suspension, motor plate, bell-housing…) – and to perform a visual inspection for problems after each race. Changing plugs and fluids would be as needed.
You must have the abilities to:
- R&R Engines and Transmissions (as required) with a helper
- Properly replace items like rockers, valve springs, push Rods, lifters, head gaskets. torque convertors, shocks, brakes, front suspension parts… as required for repair or replacement.
- Properly diagnose problems and perform proper solutions
- Has an understanding of the automotive electrical system
- Has an understanding of carburetors – especially Carter/Edelbrock
- Not make stupid and costly mistakes
- Have a great record of it really being fixed when he says its fixed
- Give a fair days work for a fair day’s wage – without the need for supervision – as opposed to sitting around or gabbing on the phone all day.
- Play close attention to detail
- Decent welding skills a big plus – but not deal killer
- Ability to freshen up transmission and/or engine is a big plus – but not a deal killer.
My situation is that I now mostly live 100 miles away from my shop, so I’m only there about 3-4 days every two weeks. Additionally I have a million other irons in the fire, requiring that I give them priority and have someone who I can trust and depend in to handle my race cars.
I go to about 10 long distance races a year, most of which have me 1200+ miles from home, and being gone the entire week. The thing I hate more than anything else, is for me to have traveled that far only to break because attention to detail wasn’t observed or shoddy repairs.
I have a fully equipped shop, with virtually every tool needed to do anything on these cars. They’re available for your use, if cared for, and used properly. I have a shop man who does the clean ups, sanding, sandblasting – and assists with the heavy work.
When drag cars are all caught up, or waiting for something, I have a few mid 60s Mopars that always need some attention. Many of them I’m making ready to sell (and make my life easier) and a few I’ll be keeping. This will be the second priority.
I also play around with fixing up and selling 50s and 60s Cushmans, which I bought in lots of 5 or more. They are very simple machines. I occasionally will need help with some of this, and this is the third priority.
My shop is in a quiet small town of 200, without a stop light. My shop is on a nicely maintained 5 acres. I have a septic drain for my coach. If you were to have a small motorhome or trailer to live in, I could make some very short term arrangement for you stay on the property while you got situated.
Hours are flexible around the schedule of a retired person – as long as I got a sold 8-16 hours a week.
If you think that this is a perfect fit for you – please email me at davetheoldhippie at Gmail.com with details of why you are the perfect fit. If you know someone who would be a perfect fit – please get them a link to this. I need honest, qualified and dependable. I don’t need any posers, slackers, liars, thieves, jerks, alcoholics, drug users, or otherwise incapable if giving me 8-16 hours of honest and dependable quality work.
