another newbie introduction

[chetbrz]

Tim,

Very, very, impressive.  Thanks for the info?    Chet...

[49plymouthclubcoupe]

Good explanation Tim....makes a lot of sense.   Thank you.

[Tim B]

John;

I'd say the process is pretty pragmatic, even for the college.

The college would probably argue that our "product" is not a restored car, or a created reproduction, but "a graduated student".? We provide an education to that student with the teaching of restoring cars as the medium.? So, mass reproducing parts as such is not in the scope of what we're doing.

More realistically, we'll approach each individual circumstance and make a decision on purchasing something available, or creating our own reproduction based on our capabilities.? ?I find in the sheetmetal restoration course that I teach that I will decide to create a panel that I might be able to buy otherwise for the excercise of learning to create shape.? We use the Model A and T Ford a lot because of the high production and easy availability of parts, but a good example would be to make the panel that repairs the area of the body under the rear fender, rather than buying one.? There's only so much educational value in buying parts.? But, if the student can't successfully make the panel, I can always order one later ;)

[Tim B]

Hi, Chet;

We're part of the Applied Science Division.

The college began the Automotive Restoration Program as an Associates Degree program in 1976.? It is now a Bachelor's Degree Program with several major concentrations, including History, Business, Design, and Technology.

In recent years, the college has spent considerable time developing relationships with restoration shops, museums, etc and creating internships, which has led to excellent opportunities for our grads.? We graduate around 20 students a year from our program.? ?We have or have had alumni at White Post Restorations, Paul Russell Company, Al Prueitt and Sons,? (oh, jeez, I'm not going to be able to name them all...)? One of our internships includes the opportunity to work for Randy Ema for a summer;? Randy is Jay Leno's Duesenberg restorer.? We have internships with Mercedes-Benz Classic Car Center in Germany, the Peterson Museum....

This past August we had 19 representatives of the college (mostly as alumni currently working in shops, or current students involved in internships, but a couple faculty and staff) attending the Pebble Beach Concours De'Elegance.

Here's a few examples
http://www.mcpherson.edu/technology/internship.asp   (internship opportunities)
http://www.mcpherson.edu/downloads/review_nov07.pdf  (online version of the Alumni publication with an article about Pebble Beach)

Things are very optomistic here!

[chetbrz]

Hi Tim & Welcome,

I?m a shade tree auto hobbyist who is an Electromechanical Engineer by profession and currently working in Senior Operations Management.? My car hobby helps keep me sane and connected with the hands on work I have always loved to do but unfortunately now manage paper, schedules, deadlines, and people.?

Interesting program you have going on at McPherson College.? ?I am surprised to find a course of study dealing with this type of niche business.? ?Is the program considered Applied Science or Automotive Arts & Technology.? ?Just curious.., but what is the job market availability to your graduates after completion.?

Anyway welcome to this forum.? ?I am sure your young group of students will be able to teach some of these old dogs new tricks.

Chet?

[49plymouthclubcoupe]

Tim, just curious more than anything else.   I'm intrigued as to how the replication or reproduction of parts actually takes place....how it is planned for and executed.   What the decision process looks like in choosing to do a single piece or multiple pieces of the same type.   And whether or not an educational institution might have worked through that thought process somewhat systematically.   Or is simply a much more pragmatic process than that?   

[Tim B]

John;

I never got back to your question about parts vendors;? what specifically are you thinking of?? The college's relationship with vendors is pretty typical of any other shop or even DIY.? I can only think of maybe one vendor that the college has a jobber's discount set up.? Like anybody else, the college typically buys when it can, but has pretty good facilities to make things, when it has to.

[Tim B]

Hi, Cliff!

You're not too far from home once you get to Mac, but you're welcome to stop in and say "hi".  My shop is about 17 miles west of the interstate junction of 135 & 56

[Cliff54]

Hi Tim,
My name is Cliff Ward I live in Texas.  My wife Robin and I own a 54 Savoy. We come up "Kansas Way" once a year... Robins family lives in Herington.
Will wave as we drive by this year!


Cliff Ward

[49plymouthclubcoupe]

That worked.....do you have connections to vendors who do parts reproductions or does the College's program do their own?

[Tim B]

Duh;? that's because I spelled it wrong!? ?I are a college instructor!

try www.mcpherson.edu/technology

(I fixed the 1st link, too!)

Thanks for the welcome!

Tim

[49plymouthclubcoupe]

Welcome Tim.....glad you jumped into the fray.    Looks like you have been at it awhile for sure.    I wasn't able to get your first link to work.   Maybe just a temporary issue.   

[Tim B]

Just wanted to say hello!

My name is Tim Bowers, from McPherson, KS.

I've joined so that I can pick your brains on technical matters as I need help on our restoration projects.? We are currently restoring a '38 P6 Touring Sedan, and a '56 Belvedere 4 door hardtop.

Besides restorations, I teach at McPherson College's Antique Auto Restoration program.

www.mcpherson.edu/technology
www.geocities.com/stellarrest/LinksPage.html

Looking forward to getting to know you!

Tim