Derelicts, Pagani Huayra, and the Inverted Bike Shop

What I appreciate in all three of these videos is the linking of quality parts through the use of expert hand skills, a similar notion we flute makers have in Boston. The value in any project is the bottom line of how much expertise has been applied rather than how much savings can be achieved in assembly. I love all 3 of these projects, especially the utilitarianism of the old fart vehicle that’s been redone inside to be sound and reliable, even more than when new. The Pagani is of course a crown jewel of what handmade can do with the right parts. I have started 3 bike shops (for other people) myself, since my youth. I love the exposure of the simplicity of bicycle motion, the efficiency of it all. Is why I like these motorcycle build-off shows, seeing how someone else can achieve something new and intriguing with their hands. My first project in vehicles was to rebuild a Triumph Spitfire to make it reliable, replacing low quality parts like distributor with handmade objects I made in my dad’s tool & die shop. I also applied things learned in Hot Rod Magazine for US cars to the lovely SU carbs, with porting and polishing intake manifold, etc. 2nd project was a 1950 GMC pickup with a 9 ft bed and straight 6 that was reliable enough but too bulky and hard to get parts. I replaced the motor with a 283 short block that led to years of satisfaction and good gas mileage… lightening the chassis and frame where possible, while keeping the suspension useful as a big truck. I would’ve loved to paint it some bright color, but never found the time or money, so it existed with a lovely faded green original finish, with rust even while the original chrome bumpers and grill were so perfect that I was accused of rechroming them.. ah. (front bumper had absorbed a few hits, so while taking them off the mounts, I was lucky not to be in the way as it sprung off the last nut by travelling 30 ft across the front lawn! missing my legs by fractions of an inch!) Right now, I living with a ’98 Dodge conversion van with all the ammenities, power locks, windows, warning lights for low gas, gages for important stuff. A real gem. But gas consumption is poor, so soon I hope to insert something with more power than the V6 aluminum engine, or at least something with better efficiency, lighten and strengthen where needed, maybe even chop a few inches off her… but that’s a few years ahead, as things wear out. I still miss the split windshield of my ’68 window van with Turtle Top (my son called it the “upstairs”, as it had a cot that folded across the space). All in all, your videos have touched the spot in my heart that says, both vintage and new technologies can exist simultaneously, and should. As we learn what we need to fix and how, we also need to realize what we should retain and why… We retain what we like to see… Thanks… nice work!