Wild Child's custom shop

[grim]

Thanks man! Yeah, totally understand. We only have the weekends and evenings too.. Drop in some time and remind us it's lunch time!

P.S. What's a bathroom?
(see lower right)

​

No, just kiddin' man .. We've been playing with a house near by too (Hyde Park) - so there's been a working bathroom over there for a while now.

Speaking of, does anyone out there reading know if there's a forum like this one for houses?

Not sure on the HAMB drags; we haven't talked about it yet. Kevin Lee, from over on the HAMB, stopped by one day and was telling a little bit about it. Sounded really kool... None of us have ever been.

 

[PrimeIsFine]

Bonneville the previous weekend and into the HAMB Drags the next weekend. I'm in!

Except we aren't ever going to finish the damn place if we keep it up.

 

[Red Leader]

Wow, cool shop! I don't know how I missed this thread, but I'm glad I saw it now. You have some great things going on. Keep it up!

 

[grim]

Thanks a bunch Red! Will do buddy. Glad to have you here hangin' out with us.

 

[grim]

EPISODE 4: Blank Slate
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Well friends, it's time for us to begin rough-drafting some architectural drawings.
​

We need some easily editable preliminary plans in order to better communicate ideas and concepts with each other. Also, even better, in order to help everyone visualize ideas along the way, we need a rough model. Below is a stock model of how the building is laid out now; this is the building in its original 1958 form. The roof is a diaphragmatic design, and so the building has no interior support beams aside from the two columns supporting the roof seen in front - so nearly anything is possible. This should give everyone a clear picture of what we're visualizing on our end.

This is where the fun starts. We'll let you in on some things we've been considering on our end soon.

(If anyone has any kool ideas - yell over the next guy. )

​

​

 

[onething]

What are the 5 dots in the floor near the front of the building - plumbing?

Actual dimensions might help...

This thread gets better everyday!!!

 

[grim]

onething,

You know it! There was a kitchen, bathroom, and then shop sink right there around some room configurations. These should be pretty close... It'll be easier to double measure, to know for sure, when the place is empty soon.

Thanks buddy!

​

 

[grim]

The front facade will eventually be getting a face-lift too. To help us design that, we've made a blank master facade. This master has all the angles flattened for easier design visualization. It can be kinked back into shape, and seen at normal angles, in just a few clicks of the mouse. If anyone's having trouble designing something angular, hope this helps out.

For me, the flat visual makes it so much easier to think.. I'll try to give you a quick idea. One sec...

​

 

[PrimeIsFine]

Where's the pool?

 

[Abomination]

You know, graveling in a bunch of the property might make for some awesome on-property car shows/BBQs someday...

~Jason

 

[grim]

You know, graveling in a bunch of the property might make for some awesome on-property car shows/BBQs someday...

The street's abnormally huge out front too. With a permit, to block it off like a block party, oh man.....

 

[PrimeIsFine]

abnormally huge out front too

That's what...

 

[Bib Overalls]

The trailer is going to become a storage shed. That may not be your intention now but over time it will fill up with stuff that you really don't need but you can not bear to sell, trade off, or junk.

I say this because I know, from personal experience, that junk expands to fill the space available.

How much did you get at the recyclers for the air tanks and under carriage? Or did you already put it inside the box just in case you need it?

 

[gooned]

Wow, I'm just finnishing up a week on the lam, and was lucky enough to spend all afternoon looking through your posts here and over on HAMB. Amazing stuff - glad to see you working hard to get it back together before Pop moves on

I can relate 'cause most of my fond memories are workin on a project with Dad

 

[gooned]

damn...subscribed too...

 

[PrimeIsFine]

I think Grim is holding out on us for a weekend update.

My neighbor's wife told me there was a giant tanker truck with a KY logo on the side of it and a Hawaiian Tropic bus in front of the shop all weekend, but they were blocking the view so she couldn't tell what was really going on. She told me that she could hear monkey noises and motorcycle exhaust all through the night though.

 

[grim]

gooned,

Thank you for the kind words of feedback friend; you're well received. Glad to have you here man! We're working all the time, but we should be able to pause for an update pretty soon. Speaking of, until then, everyone keeps wondering how we're moving these trailers around with no semi...

​

 

[grim]

To everyone following the story...

EPISODE 9: Andy - is fresh up on the Jalopy Journal - page 10!

Enjoy Friends!
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6917311#post6917311

 

[grim]

Pardon the delay friends; I'll get everyone an update as soon as possible. I'm working four jobs right now to try and meet the budget to get this place done in the allotted time - so things are hectic. When I find some time, I'll post up some more pictures and carry the story forward a bit. Have a good one everyone!

 

[onething]

I just went over to the Jalopy Journal to see where you went...

I'm not a member over there, so I will say it here: You should be paid for what you produce. Writing well has as much value as anything your daddy ever did, so I hope you are making the big bucks not as an end but as a vehicle to follow your dream.

Keep us posted when you can.

 

[grim]

onething,

Thanks for the kind words.. I just got your message, and really appreciate the time. I just finished posting this on the HAMB, just now, to another curious friend.

Cactus,

Things have gotten busy . In order to keep the timeline, I've been workin'. (8am-10pm Mon-Sat). I turned down that ADT deal. I explained to 'em why I couldn't take the free ride, and worked out a deal for a job; one of my gigs, on that 8-10 spread, has been workin' for them as a Marketing Director. I need about 40k more, by spring, to rip the roofing corrugation off, trash everything above the trusses, and replace it all. But no worries, it's going to get done - on time. No choice.

Pardon the delay on updates friends.

(P.S. Thanks for the input and words of wisdom everyone....... I decided against it - not my style or price - so we move forward.)

 

[grim]

Episode 5: CCCLXV​

It's been four to five months since I started stashing away money to get things around the shop in order for Spring. It's seemed like a twenty-four hour blur at 1000mph. In hindsight, I would never have guessed on what's happening to me now. This project has changed everything about my life. Life has really turned into an adventure. Through a series of chance events, I even ended up starting a couple of unrelated companies in the effort to fund the cause; it's strange how a personal goal can speed life into focus.

I was talking about this to a friend, the other night, who's been working on a creative project called Three-Sixty-Five. Specifically, we were talking about the sprint and why I haven't updated my posts in a while. I told her how busy I've been on what, from third person, would appear to be unrelated. She called ******** on me, and told me about this Three-Sixty-Five.

She challenged me to try it out. I've been thinking about it a lot over the past few days.. Last night, while moonlighting at the shop, cleaning up trash, sure enough there were a few pictures there..

Who would have thought. She was right. Things have been happening to me that I've taken for granted - left unappreciated. I'm going to try this Three-Sixty-Five out and try to catch back some of this life that's been passing me by.

Last night, Sunday, around Midnight:

"It's a quiet night in the city. I'm the only one in the world."

"Cleaning: It's midnight, Sunday. Everyone in the city must be asleep.. It's quiet tonight. Dead silence."​

*A random picture while cleaning.*​

 

[tinbender 66]

I like the concept. Today is my birthday and I'm going to try this for this year. Thanks.

 

[BrerHair]

OK Justin, so to me it looks like that building-you-almost-bought is in the center of your DesignMind's eye . . . sort of where you're headed with the doodle at the bottom of post #53 Can't do much better than that, it is beautiful.

Obviously you're busy as hell, but I would like to cast my vote for including some more Wild Child's history on your HAMB thread whenever possible. Is there any way to get your Pop to post a few stories? Might do him some good, the experience of sharing with an attentive audience.

 

[BrerHair]

Wow . . . great links. Being a carpenter, I've been fascinated and have utilized 3:4:5 and Pythagoran theorem and the like, but I've been ignorant of phi. What an amazing number (ratio, whatever).

Too soon for me to say anything Justin. I've got to chew on this awhile. I'll get back to you.

 

[striper]

Two things stand out to me Justin.

The first is that I really like the cool '50s feel of the original building. That being said, the latest study does tip the hat to that style. Hard not to...those are the proportions you have to work with.

The second thing. Having spent a couple of evenings reading this and the HAMB thread I have a feeling of what Wild Child's was. If you are trying to recreate that, my thoughts are you need to think about how you are going to use this building. It feels to me that your dad's place was a 'drop in anytime, day or night' kind of place. Your own writing says 'drop by and see us'. But the walled and gated perimeter doesn't say that to me at all. I know security is important but.....

Nobody said the challenges of an architect were easy. It's got to be more than a good looking building.

I hope I haven't missed the point here or over stepped the mark. I'm really enjoying these threads.

Pete

 

[peghead]

Cool looking shop. Retro style!

 

[BrerHair]

I gotta tell you that at first, I did not care so much for the front sidewall facades. But after spending more time digesting some of your golden ratio stuff, I've decided that I do like it. You've managed to incorporate the enclosure and the courtyard elements, and I now see more possibilities. Like gates (or faux gates). Or I can even see the flat sidewalls plastered with graffiti-like artwork. And I like that you have given yourself parking space in the courtyard that could be enclosed later as budget allows; meanwhile, the larger facade beckons . . .

Go man, Go!

 

[grim]

striper,

Hey, thanks a bunch on that feedback. On these sheer walls, here's where my mind's at. I've been looking at windows a lot lately. I'm comin' to realize that, design-wise, they act a lot like pictures hanging on a wall; you can size, frame, and hang 'em for different affects. I thought I might start by designing the building like an empty room; try and get the feel right on wall angles, and once it feels good start to decorate (windows, doors, etc). Let me know if you have any ideas. I'd be curious to hear your take.

I keep seeing this Keith Weesner painting in my memory. I'm not sure what visual part I'm drawn to that keeps bringing my thoughts back to it. He captures a unique coarseness that I relate to.

P.S. Brer - Some of what you said reminded me of some things I'm brainstormin'. I'll run a couple pictures past you when I can get around my harddrive.

 

[striper]

There's a lot to like about Weez's paintings. The attraction in that painting (apart from the nice *** and the '36) is the sparseness on the outside and the fact you know some good stuff is happening inside. You just want to get in there. Going back to my earlier observation though, the Red Room is very open and inviting.

Pete

 

[GGB]

Grim,

Just wanted to say thanks for bringing back at lot of memories from my youth. I remember the "Wild Child" logo, but had no idea of all the designs your Dad had a hand in. I had no idea that anything like your Dad's work came out of Kansas City-I always assumed he must have been from the West Coast, like Ed Roth. The cars, the choppers, the furniture-WOW! Kudos for your work on bringing the shop back to new glory. Keep moving forward, and keep us posted.

Although I didn't know your Dad was from KC, I did know that Starbird was from Wichita, which seemed pretty neat since I was from North Central Kansas. I remember going past Starbird's place when he was still in North Wichita, KS. back in 1964. For a kid who was into model cars, it was fun just being that close to where some of the customs I knew about were created. It seemed a bit surreal, even if I was sitting in the backseat of my folk's 1960 VW Beetle!

Got to go to one of Farhner's custom car shows a couple years later in Manhattan, KS., and it really made an impression on me. Almost overwelming-really mobile works of art as I now realize. Farhner had the X-Ray there, but I seemed to remember it as being pearl white at the time, and I don't recall the front fenders being as prominate as in later incarnations. Wish I had the photo handout he gave me that he signed.....

Again, I'm looking forward to seeing your other recollections and updates.

 

[BrerHair]

The attraction in that painting is the sparseness on the outside and the fact you know some good stuff is happening inside. You just want to get in there.

My feelings exactly. Cool people hanging around outside, cool cars, red light streaming from inside, cool '50s flat roof "contemporary" marguee and '50s planter box . . . gotta be a cool, happening place!

 

[carbons4]

Wild Child painted a friends Barracuda 30+ years ago. You could swim in the blur paint.

 

[Gabe.]

First post here but I'm definitely inspired by your shop...

To create invitation I would try to have the space be as open as possible with natural light reaching every corner of the shop.

Walls of garage doors with transparent glass, skylights on the ceiling (ala gone in sixty seconds scene when they steal the ferraris out of the warehouse), as for the front, large sliding doors with large windows. There are so many cool things and ways to design it!

Anyways, thanks for sharing your journeys. I've enjoyed reading through your thread and look forward to more updates!

 

[grim]

Hey friends,

I didn't expect to see so much talk on this board. You know, I haven't updated much in a while with the day-to-day cleanup work mostly bein' so uninspiring - but just so everyone knows why the restoration of this place is taking so long, here's today. Everyday looks something like this - .

Today, for 8 hours, I fought maybe 400 square feet of an old abandoned/vacant inner-city lot I bought next to the shop.

One day at a time friends...

​

P.S. Got me a container back to the shop. This is it... Should be able to totally empty the building out once I get it situated. That puts a big smile on my face man..

Pickin' it up from some pro-skaters' spot, down in the East Bottoms

 

[onething]

I was going to paint my shop at Christmas. One thing led to another (no pun intended) and I'm still not finished. This was nothing compared to your project. Keep pluggin' man - we're all cheerin for the resurrection (timely pun).

 

[grim]

Well, been a busy few weeks. I've been gone, makin' money for the cause, on the road. It looks to be a busy roam for a few months ahead. No rest for the wicked.

[onething - thank you, friend..]

Memorial Day: Workin', into the night, as old storytellers randomly stop by. -CCCLXV

 

[GGB]

Grim, anything new to report? Just wondering how it's going.

GGB

 

[onething]

Just saw a rant on fb and commented that restoration is cool too.

He's still pluggin along.

 

[SKT]

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Grim:

Awesome thread, thanks for documenting/sharing this great experience with us!

Gotta ask, has there been any updates on this?

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