Custom Cars, Custom Motorcycles and the How's and Why's of What We Do!

Hello and welcome to our new blog!  This post is to give everyone an overview of exactly who we are and what we do.  So let me find a place to start....

My name is Dee Blackman.  My husband Larry and I have been in the car industry for over 30 years now.  The purpose of this blog is to have a place to talk about our favorite passtime, show the world the cars and bikes we've worked on, provide a place to have all our friends gather, chat, and show off their rides, AND have a forum where people like us can find help with their projects, get great professional advice and share our pics!  And, of course, it is also a place to help us advertise our products and services too!

Here's a little background.  Larry and I have lived most of our lives in Illinois.  He has worked for and managed several multi-million dollar shops in Illinois and we've also owned our own shops too.  After the loss of both our mothers in 2009, we decided to make a new start, and after much thought and consideration decided to open our new shop here in the great state of Florida.  Lucky for us, the awesome climate here in Forida is perfect for what we do!

Larry is and has always been, one of the premier painters and custom frame technicians in Illinois.  He is ASE and I-CAR certified and honestly, has a list of credentials a mile long....lol.  However, he hates it when I "toot his horn" as they say, and so, with regret, I'll refrain from listing all of his great accomplishments.  He does, however, have several cars that have won and/or are still in the running for "best in paint" at "World of Wheels" in Chicago.  He has painted many cars for our numerous friends in the racing world, both NHRA and circle track.  But, our true love lies in the restoration and creation of custom modified cars and motorcycles.

This blog is to share all of our experiences with our fellow lovers of custom cars and bikes and help each other out with tips, pointers, how-to's and why nots so our collective information can both help people avoid issues and to make that project simpler by learning from others that have done this in the past.  We also want to share the stories that come with the projects and last, but definitely not least, share pictures of all those specials vehicles and special times and memories....

 Please feel free to send in any photos you have, we want to see them all!  Also, your comments and stories are what makes the car business so much fun!  Tell us about what you have done and what you dream of doing!  Ask questions...that's what we're here for.  And, don't forget to share those inevitable problems too!  You'll save someone else the grief of the mistake and maybe even get some suggestions from others who have made the same mistakes in the past.  The car business has always had a comaradie about it that makes it a great place to make new friends!

You'll also find some great shopping suggestions here!  We have been at this business for quite awhile and we've found some good deals and we have lists of places to get those hard to find parts.  We have a complete fabrication shop here too, so feel free to ask and find out about purchasing the items you need or having us fabricate that "impossible to find" accessory or body panel!  You can find many items in our on-line store.  We've used all of these products and you'll get straight shooting when it comes to hearing about all the items in our store. 

So make yourself at home and check back often.  We'll be updating regularly.  Make sure to sign up for our blog updates.  Don't forget to check out our services too!  We are a full service body shop.  We've got a state-of-the-art paint booth, a full service machine shop, and what I like to think, the best painters in the State of Florida!  (Sorry honey, sometimes I just gotta "toot that horn"!!!)