17 replies to this topic

[Cheater]

From Hemmings Daily... and well worth a read. Make sure you read the posted comments.

I stand in awe of people who have these rare skills. It saddens me that this is the first time I have heard his name.

Master metalshaper Marcel De Ley dies at age 89
 

[Dave Crevie]

It's a dying breed. I've been fortunate to know a few. And I wish I had made the time to work with them and learn the trade. Just as with the old time slotracers, they will all be gone someday. There just aren't enoughGen-Xers and millenials interested in continuing the art. 

[MSwiss]

Not true.

My 4 year old grandson asked for a Fisher Price English Wheel for his his 5th birthday.

[Cheater]

Dave,

 

There are some bright spots.

 

There's a guy in Massachusetts named Wray Schelin who is actively teaching people panel-beating skills. He runs lots of well-attended classes and many of his students end up making bodies and/or complete cars. See http://www.proshaper.com.

 

 

Locally there's a company called Metal Union run by a coachbuilder named Field Farrar that can make bodies from scratch; I've seen his work and it is stunning.

 

Yeah, there aren't a whole lot of guys like this around but they're still out there.

[John Streisguth]

The fact that there are very few people with these skills allows them to make a good living doing it.  

 

That car in post #1 is exquisite.

[Dave Crevie]

Mike,

 

Do you have a picture of that Fisher-Price English wheel?

[MSwiss]

Best I could do is a pic of the Fisher Price chop saw.

He wanted one of these, too, until he found out it wasn't powerful enough to cut his Chef- Boy-Ar-Dee spaghetti.

[munter]

A lot of Kiwi guys build butt-ugly specials however there is a master working in the South Island of New Zealand...
 
Rod Tempero
 
His Facebook page shows some of his better cars.
 
Rod Tempero Motor Body Builder Ltd.

[Bill from NH]

That shop does some quality-looking work.

 

Thanks for sharing, John. 

[Bob Kolenda]

It's a dying breed. I've been fortunate to know a few. And I wish I had made the time to work with them and learn the trade. Just as with the old time slotracers, they will all be gone someday. There just aren't enoughGen-Xers and millenials interested in continuing the art. 

 

Dave,

 

I have been very fortunate to have met many of the master metal shapers through the metal events that I attend. It always impresses me how much they will share. I have never come From away from these events having learned nothing. There are many young metal shapers out there with great talent thanks to all the teaching and sharing of information. There is great hope that this craft will keep going.

 

PM me sometime and I will let you know if there is an event near you.

 

Bob.

[Rob Voska]

Please post a schedule in this thread as many of us are interested in that.

 

I use Ron's book quite often.

 

http://www.fourniere....com/index2.htm

[Dave Crevie]

Bob,

Sounds interesting. I am a little restricted when it comes to mobility.
 
Some years ago I was able to work with a local in the re-skinning of a P-40 Warhawk. Learned a lot during
that project. Done a fair amount of fabricating, monocoque tubs and interiors. Never did a fancy body like 
the one above. At this point in my life I don't think I will be doing any of that. Shoulda, coulda, woulda.

[Rob Voska]

I have a friend that drinks, shakes, unreliable, and pinstripes like a pro.  One day he pull sup with a pickup and in the back is a fender he had just made.  Some big ol roundish 30's thing.

Simply beautiful.

 

Then he helped another friend with a custom Buick Roadmaster wagon project.  My friend is pretty talented but talent boy cuts up a Jeep CJ hood & fits it on top of the original to make this cool shark mouth looking thing.

I still don't know if it's a natural talent or they have a end vision to know what they will end up with.

[Bob Kolenda]

Please post a schedule in this thread as many of us are interested in that.

Rob,

There are two very good metal shaping sites that I frequent.  

www.allmetalshaping.com.  
www.metalmeet.com.  

Check out the events page. There are events all around the world.  

Bob.

[Slot_Grasshopper]

I first saw Marcel's craftsmanship  on American Hotrod when Marcel and his sons built the Alumatub body from scratch.   

[Dave Crevie]

Rob,

 

My problem has nothing to do with dexterity in my hands. It's arthritis, and I can't walk or stand for a long period of time. It's why I don't race much anymore. I can't handle the walking during lane changes. 

[Cheater]

Seems there's another master panel beater working to pass along his vast knowledge and experience.
 
Metalshaping with the master – Gene Winfield

 

 

Lots of great pics in the story at this link.

[Dave Crevie]

Gene Winfield has long been a idol of mine, because his talents cover every aspect of building cars. He can do everything, and better than just about anyone else.