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Classic Car Restoration is Group Effort
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Stiegler's 1926 Ford Model T coupe at the start of restoration.
Photo by Linda Karn |
(posted May 3)
It's 6 pm on Wednesday, so that means it is time to light the grill at
Linder Fuel Injection to feed two dozen car enthusiasts while they dismantle
and rebuild a classic car. Jim Linder described it more as a "community
car raising", since the group gathers to share their expertise and
skills. The help is free and so is the food. When it's Linder's turn to
cook, the group can expect to be served Spam smothered in Bubba Sauce.
"It's gotten bigger and bigger. We've been doing this for a couple
of years," Linder said. This time, the men have gathered to help Craig
Stiegler build a classic car for a car show on May 24th in Louisville.
The car's progress can be seen online at JalopyJournal.com. The H.A.M.B. message board contains over three million posts. "The
joy is that people everywhere read it." Linder interacts with car
junkies internationally, and recently received a distributor to be repaired
from a man in France.
The message board also contains Bubba's social group and activities, so
the 60 members know about upcoming events.
Linder's GMC Bubba message board logs the details of the car's transformation.
Stiegler's car started its build on March 25, and every week a work list
of what needs to be done is posted. Linder said it takes some management
for 26 diverse and talented guys to work on a car. Linder said one guy
helping is a former fabricator for John Force's team. Linder's son Scott
did the wiring and Charlie Patterson provided the drive shaft.
The car is expected to be completed in eight weeks. Without the group,
Linder estimated it would be a three to four year project if Stiegler had
to tackle it alone.
The group's next event is for the Model-T Club and Classic Cars. The group
will meet at Linder's on May 20 for IMS Community Day. The group will enjoy
Linder's famous southern breakfast of Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits before
heading to the track to do a lap.
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