What to do! What to do!

It's been a while since I've been able to post anything here, but having acquired a job that pays pretty well and also taking extra time out of my day to commute, I haven't had much to share. And if I have something to share, I just can't seem to find the time to tell about it. So with that said, I need to get back to a fun project and reduce it s I can put a recreational enjoyment time here. I like to share my experiences with whomever chooses to read them. Why not? If it gives a reader an idea or some information they need, then that's what it's all about for me. 

So what else is the problem then? I have gotten hung up in another hobby that I need to move away from so I can get back to this one. This one requires time spent doing more enjoyable things than the one I need to get away from. But what's the hobby that's taking up my time? I've gotten back into buying stuff that will sell for a good profit on eBay. The problem here is not getting the time to get it listed and sold. It's a viscous circle! But it doesn't help that I go buy more stuff and not getting it listed.

So I'm going to say this - I'm setting a goal to get about 75 to 90 percent of the stuff sold that I've bought, as well as the things I've collected out of here so I can put some effort into spending more time out at car shows, taking vacations, and getting myself back into my photography and videography. Also, I need to get myself into building me a sweet custom ride now that I'm getting some experience working at a Machine Shop. I'm going to take that experience and put it to good use and do something I've always dreamed of doing. Now the time has come for me to get it together and push myself into the right direction. It'll also make my wife happy to see this stuff out of our home. Thanks for reading! Post a comment if you feel like giving me some encouragement. 

Mattels Exclusive rights with Ferrari are coming to an end.

Well the time has finally come for the relationship with Mattel and Ferrari to come to an end. As a long time collector of Ferrari Automobilia, I am actually not surprised that it is finally ending. I have read several posts in various places online where collectors weren't really that happy with the product Mattel was releasing in the 1:18 scale world. There are companies out there that I used to have resale accounts with when I had my Automotive Collectibles business, as well as other companies that I have collected over the years that as small companies, they out out some phenomenal product.

So with the demise of this relationship, I am in hopes of Ferrari signing some deal and getting some too notch models released by these smaller, higher quality companies to to be released. I think this will get the 1:18 collector market a good boost and it will be greatly appreciated. Why a boost! Well, I actually stopped collecting for the reason that I really wasn't happy with what was being released by Mattel. I also honestly didn't have the funds to continue my collecting hobby either. So maybe, just maybe in the future I will see what comes out and is something I just can't live without. But before I make that decision, I have a more important hobby to address. The build of my Kustom 1990 Chevy S10. That's another story to come down the line when I starts. Until then, thanks for reading my little rant. 

Missing Photos! What Happened?

So as you can see at the moment my blog is in need of some updating. Why? Well the photos I had on here are missing. The Cool shot up top and several from the bottom of the main page. What Happened? The photo hosting site that I had been using shut down. A little upsetting as I had a lot of photos on it. But not too upsetting as I was contacted by the page owners and was sent all of my photos on a thumb drive. Now I need to get working on updating my Flickr account. I had started on it a couple months ago when I knew about Razzi being shut down. But I have so many things going on right now that I just can't keep up. But first things first! I need to make a living. I am also in need of finishing up my courses at the local Community College. For now the courses are on hold until I can return in the Fall. Hmmmm! What to do?

What I have been doing? For the last two months of 2013 I was asked to do some work for a company a friend manages out at Stanford. So for the money I was being paid, I just couldn't resist. So I stayed busy with that job. What else did I do?  I went to go to Southern California to visit my parents as I hadn't visited them in over a year. Two weeks taken away from other things I need to do. But my family is more important. What else did I do? So now that all this is done, I need to get back on track. I was supposed to have made some changes for my eBay business, but that seems to be falling apart for now. So I will just be re-organizing everything I have for inventory so I can make it easier to list in a more manageable way. So once I get things in order again, I will be updating the blog with more Car Show adventures and other Auto Enthusiast things. Until then, Thank you for reading! I hope to get at least the photos fixed soon.

School Project: Vintage 1950's Kitchen Pieces - Part III

When I returned on Monday to school, I had to wait to see how things turned out as I had my Welding class to go to first. After about an hour or so, I couldn't wait any longer. Since my autobody instructor had shown up, I just had to walk over and have a look. Things looked rather well, so I went back to my welding class. When the welding class was done for the the day, I went back over to remove all the pieces from the booth. After I had removed most of the Kitchen Cart pieces, the instructor informed me that he needed to leave. So I wasn't able to get it re-assembled. I laid out my moving blanket on the frame rack and put the pieces on it. Then I covered them up and left.

The next morning I running a little late and got a call from a fellow student that was working on a Mustang. He needed the booth to primer the car, and I needed to get the parts out for the step stool as they were still hanging up in the paint booth. So I let him know that I would be there and was on my way. When I arrived, I laid out a second moving blanket, removed the pieces for the step stool and set them out. Finally I was able to get these put back together. So I did just that, and I was very excited to do it.

I started out first putting the Kitchen Cart back together as it was the simpler of the two to get done. While putting it together, I was getting some complements from other students that were there for there class. It was pretty cool to get some comments too. Yes they are just students, but so am I. It will be a long time and a lot of experience before I know I'm doing pretty good, so until then, it's nice to get feedback and complements. Once the cart was together I moved on to the stool. This however was not easy and i put most of it together, only to pull it apart again. Once I got it figured out, it was all back together again. I was careful, for the most part. Things looked very good, so I set my moving blankets up as a backdrop and took some photos with the iphone. At this point, my instructor was around, so I asked him what he thought. He really liked how they had turned out and I was satisfied with his approval of my work. Then they were wrapped up and put in the back of the truck for the ride home.

When leaving the school, it had popped into my mind to go to the store I had bought the stool from. So I headed that direction. They had moved locations recently, and I didn't know where it was. Only remember what street they were on. So after finding the store, I went in. The employee that I had actually bought the stool from was there, so I showed the photo on my phone of the cart and the stool. After looking around for a bit, the owner was around and was bringing more items in and putting them on the floor. So we said our hellos, and I showed him the photo as well. To my surprise he says, "You know we have another one of those stools?". I was all happy and asked him where it was. He showed me and I asked how much. The price was one I couldn't pass up. Even though it was a little bit more than I paid for the one I had just completed, it was still an awesome deal. So of course I didn't have the cash in my pocket to buy it. So I went around the corner to a gas station, grabbed something to drink and a snack, got my cash and went back and it is now mine.

So, now I have another stool to show off when I get to it. Hopefully this week I'll get it disassembled and media blasted. Then I will need to do some straightening/flattening on the seat as it is a little bit concave. Once I get that all fixed, it will be in the booth and painted. I also plan to put in a couple other items to get them repainted. I'll blog about that later. Thanks for reading! I appreciate it very much. Check back soon for more. Until then, here are the photos of the stool and cart. I will also update when I get the wheels for the kitchen cart and the step pads.

To view the entire set of photos, click here - MJC Independant Study Fall 2013

Hanging up after Metal Prep. Ready for Etching Primer.

Etching Primer laid out

Nice White Legs!

More Nice White Legs!

Love me some Color!

School Project: Vintage 1950's Kitchen Pieces - Part II

Well, things have been a little crazy busy and I am behind again on updating the blog. So, here goes!

After the first week, I was able to go over to get the parts for the Vintage 1950's Kitchen Cart and Step Stool media blasted. It didn't take very long to get it done either. I just was only able to get it done when there was an instructor on site in the welding department. When that worked out, it was an easy task. I finished them up and then had to wait to get some time to put the parts in the booth and get them primed. So I hit the bed of my Chevy S10 to clean up some small dents on the top edge. Then things started to fall into place and I was able to get the parts metal prepped, hung in the paint booth, and primed.

The next day I hit the Auto Paint store and picked out my colors, and headed into school. I got my paint ready to go for the legs of both the Cart and the Stool and went in and shot them in a nice, not so bright white. Then I had to let them sit for about an hour, so I cleaned the paint gun and waited. Once the wait was over, after about an hour, I went in and moved the leg parts to an area of the booth that they were safe from being hit with the Aqua Teal I picked out. I wasn't sure of the color, but once I started spraying, I knew I had made the right choice. The colors when together, in my mind, reminded me of a sweet 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible. The colors together are epic. So I laid the paint with a big smile. After I was done, it was gun cleaning time again. Once that was done I wanted to be sure they would be okay overnight, so I asked my instructor and he informed me that I could leave them until Monday as he had a meeting on Friday, which meant that no one needed to use the booth. So off home I went.

To view the entire set of build photos, click here - MJC Independant Study Fall 2013

School Project: Vintage 1950's Kitchen Pieces - Part I

As the start of the 2013 Fall semester was approaching, I asked my Autobody Instructor about coming in for an Independent Study course so I could work on some things I have been wanting to get done for a while. He informed that I would be able to so, so when the semester started a couple weeks ago, I got my add card and registered for the course. I had decided to bring in a few items I have been wanting to restore that have been sitting in the garage. I had purchased these items over the past few couple of years in hopes of being able to get them done. So My first project to begin with is my Vintage 1950's Cosco Kitchen Cart and my Vintage 1950's Cosco Step Stool. Another project I would like to work on is my Vintage GE Refrigerator. I may also bring in a couple small table top items for to go with these pieces, A few Restaurant Napkin Holders, a Restaurant Counter Straw Dispenser, and a Radio Flyer Wagon. I brought in the Kitchen Cart and the Step Stool my first week. So far, last week I was able to use the Media Blasting Cabinet over on the Welding side, which is hopefully getting pulled to the Autobody garage at the school to get the Cart stripped down. Only being able to use it when one of the Welding Instructors is in sure causes things to take a lot longer. So far that is where I am at. So for now, here is the stripped down version of the cart. Thank you for reading, and check back for Part II. I will also be blogging about other projects as I work on them.

To view all photos for this project, click here - MJC Independant Study Fall 2013

My final semester of Junior College

Well I have decided to make this Fall semester my final semester for classes I wanted to take. The classes have mostly been automotive related. The only courses not related, I needed to take in order to get my Certificate of Completion for Autobody Collision, and my Skills Recognition certificate for Automotive Refinishing. Well I received them after I completed the Spring 2012 semester. Since I had finished what I originally had planned, I went out and got a job. Once I started to work, I decided to not attend the Fall 2012 semester. Well I should have continued on! As it turned out, the place I was working laid me off after six months of working, right after the first of the year. It sucked! Why was I laid off? Well, due to what I was told, owing 3 years in back taxes, he needed to reduce his staff. So as I was the rookie, I was the first to go.

Well, what next? Hmmmm! I got back on my computer and signed up for more classes. I figured since I want to be a "Kustom Car Builder", I'd better take some welding courses. I took my first class. Passed with an "A". Took my second class. Passed with an "A". Now I'm taking two more classes. I just started up two weeks ago. I also decided to do an Independent class and work on my truck and a few other small projects I have been wanting to get to. I am going to complete a few of the smaller items and sell them off so I can get the funds to work on the truck. Parts are expensive! But, I don't mind. So, Keep checking back as I plan to do some blogging about my truck, and the items I am restoring. I also hope to be doing a couple repaints on 2 early '60's Jaguars. I just need to work that out still. Which I really hope to as for the labor, I get a third one as payment for all the work. I'll update on that too.

Thanks for reading my blog.

Unbelievable! The Photo Hosting Site I Use Is Closing Down.

I can't believe it! I turn my computer on last Friday and it's right there in my face. I have the photo hosting site that I use set as the page that opens up as my home page, it immediately shows up. What exactly does it say? Well here you go - "We're Closing Our Doors - We thank everyone for trying Razzi but unfortunately we are shutting down the service. If there are any photos that you need access to or you have any questions / concerns, please contact us at...." Well I contacted them since I do have photos there that I no longer have as my external hard drive crashed a couple years back. So now I have to get my photos recovered and downloaded to my computer. They did reply and let me know what needs to be done, but since I am clueless about how to do it, I need to sit down and contact customer support to help me through the process. Have yet to do that as of today.

Since that is a bummer, I was trying to figure out what to do to have my photos still hosted online somewhere. So I remembered that I had my Flickr account still. So I opened up the page and started uploading some of my photos there. The photos I had started with are for me to replace on some of my recent posts. Eventually I am going to have to go to each and every one of my blog posts and replace the url link. Boy this is going to be a lot of fun. I really don't have too much time to do it, so I will tackle the procedure one blog post at a time until I get through them all. YAY! So, that is all I have to say for now. Hopefully things will get back on track and I will be able to tell about better things. Like what this blog is actually about. My life as an Auto Enthusiast. However, I will be doing some step by step blogging about my build up of my project 1990 Chevy S10 Custom. So, until then, Thank you for reading my blog.

BMW M1 Art Car at Bonhams Display in Monterey, California 2011

I haven't been on top of my blogging again. Too many things in the fire that have been keeping me from going to shows, or just getting the time to catch up on what I have actually been able to attend this year. So in honor of this week being the crazy Monterey Car Week, I decided to step into my photo archives and play around with editing as I need to learn how to use the program. So check out these 16 photos, and let me know what you think. And, feel free to share the blog on your social media pages that you frequent. Thank you for viewing my blog. UPDATE! I have recently had to switch to a different photo hosting site due to the one I was using is shutting down. This blog has been updated. To see all 16 photos of the Art Car, click this link - http://flic.kr/s/aHsjHRMUDd

VIDEO: Hot Rods, Kustoms, Muscle Cars, & Classic Trucks In Motion

I finally got to some actual movement of some sweet rides from the 2011 Good-Guys West Coast Nationals. Hot Rods, Kustoms, Muscle Cars, & Classic Trucks. I need to do more videos with movement!

A little bit of an update for mid 2013

Well this week I was doing some investigative work to see what I needed to do to get more traffic to my YouTube account. After watching a few informative videos, I have been trying out some things that were mentioned in the videos I watched. To put things in short context, I now post things on several other sites to draw views to my stuff. Besides the videos, I am posting photos a little more too. I have now started using different websites to help out with the views. Now to see what happens over the next few weeks, or months as I will be posting more and more all over the place. I thought using my blog would help out, but not as much as I would like it to have. I will still be telling my stories, posting the videos, and making sure to add photos to the blog just so I can share my passion of the automotive life with the world. I just needed to see what else there is out there to help. So please check out my stuff when you get the chance to do so as I hope my blog will be one of my main sources of sharing. THANK YOU!

Here are my links -

My YouTube Channel – www.youtube.com/speedtrap73

My Secondary Blog – www.toddscollection.blogspot.com

My Amateur Photography – http://razzi.me/speedtrap73

My eBay Store - http://stores.ebay.com/Speed-Trap-Collectibles

or if you just do a search for 'speedtrap73", you will find me.

VIDEO: Moal Coachbuilders 1936 Ford AeroSport

Since I am behind on so many things, I have been unable to make it to any current car show. Not really by choice though. I usually have it all planned ahead to go to one somewhere in the area, but as usual, whomever I have invited ends up bailing out on me for reasons unknown. So I just decide to stay home and enjoy a little time with my wife to save the money I would have spent. Now that I have told the world how things have been lately, here is a video from the 2011 Good-Guys West Coast Nationals. The Moal Coachbuilders 1936 Ford AeroSport. This car is absolutely beautifully hand crafted by some serious talent. It was awesome to have seen this one, so check it out and tell me what you think. Also, if whomever is reading this and watching the video could please subscribe to my channel, I would greatly appreciate it. You can share it too. Always good to share things you like. THANK YOU!

VIDEO: Details from Woodie Wagons

As I had noted in my previous blog posting of the Woodie Wagons, this video was kind of put together as a joke to show what some of these owners do with the rides to get them to look as awesome as they do. But some things are just a bit of overkill in my opinion. I just have to say this, These rides are one of my favorite automobiles, and they always will be. Thank You for checking out the blog!

VIDEO: A WALK IN THE WOODS - Woodie Wagons at Good-Guys West Coast Nationals 2011

While doing my usual walking around and filming cars and taking photos at the Good-Guys 2011 West Coast Nationals, I came across, well what I like to call "A grove of Woodie Wagons" parked in an area of the fairgrounds under the trees. Due to my Southern California roots, Woodies are one of my all time favorites and I just had to grab some footage. I edited this little bit together to keep it short, but I have more coming. One will follow this posting, but it's kind of a little joke the way I did it. Kind Of! I really love these cars and someday, I would love to have one for myself. Have a view of the video, and Thank You for checking out my blog.

VIDEO: Style Kings C.C. 1948 Oldsmobile 98 Futuramic Kustom at GoodGuys West Co...

Tony Parker from Crown Works Garage out of Hayward, California brought in this 1948 Oldsmobile Convertible Futuramic to the 2011 Good-Guys West Coast Nationals. Tony is a member of the STYLE KINGS Car Club. Even though at the time it was still under construction, this car is absolutely beautiful. Check It Out! Tell Me if you like it or don't. THANK YOU for watching!

VIDEO: 1931 Ford Pickup at GoodGuys West Coast Nationals 2011

I have so much footage from different events and shows throughout the past couple years, that I decided to go back and get some editing done so I could add some videos to my YouTube channel. So far I have a few done, but I have been forgetting to add them here to the blog. So much going on that my mind isn't all there. Not that it ever was all there, but it's worse than usual. Just like the previous videos I posted recently, I will be doing more and posting them based on the event in which I had attended to get through it all. So with that said, Here is a cool 1931 Ford Pickup that really caught my eye back in 2011 at the Good-Guys West Coast Nationals in Pleasanton, California. Check it out! Tell me if it sucks or if I did okay on the editing, or just tell me whatever. I need some feedback.

VIDEO: V9 - Final laps - A view from the Podium at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

This is video number 9, the final video in the series from the ALMS 2012 race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

After spending about 30 minutes up on the podium, with permission, I was asked to leave due to the racers having to come up and for other reasons. I asked one of the workers on the podium, I believe it was the gentleman in charge of some sort of lighting, if I could set my camera on the table pointing at the Start/Finish line for the remainder of the race. He said it was okay and just asked what he needed to do. I asked him to just turn it off when the race was over. After it was all done, I went back up and retrieved my camera. Here is some of the footage. I wanted to just keep it down to the last few minutes so I didn't bore anyone. Thank you for watching.

VIDEO: V8 - ALMS 2012 - Race action view from the Podium

During the last 20-30 minutes of the race, I was invited up to the podium with one of the volunteers at the track. I had asked him earlier in the day if I could go up there to get some video footage and some photos. So here is some of the video footage I was able to get. I have one more video in the series of the last couple minutes of the race that will be posted on the blog as well. I have the previous 7 videos from the series on the blog as well, so please check them out when you have the time to do so. THANK YOU!

Video: ALMS 2012 - THE CORKSCREW

One of my favorite place to watch while at the track for any event. I'm sure many of whom that have been to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca would agree with me on that. Of course I had to record some action while there. Check it out! THANK YOU!

Video: ALMS Action at Turn 10 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Got home today from watching, wait, more like waiting for the tile guy to finish grouting the floor at my brother-in-laws house this morning.Was there all day yesterday, bored off and on when I wasn't watching a movie, or on his computer. Anyhow, when I got home I got some things adjusted and decided to work on this video. It is the sixth in the series. I have more coming. THANK you for visiting my blog, and for watching the video.