The Purvis Eureka Forum

Hi kids,
          The ECCA Committee are already aware of this, but I thought some of you forum regulars might be interested in what's in my workshop at the moment.

You all remember that I build custom cars for a living? Good. I've been cranking out quite a few stunners since I've been open (almost a year now, where did it go?) which drew the attention of the Army in regards to building their new burnout/exhibition/promotional vehicle.


On the strength of the rear suicide doors and other custom mods I performed on the Lexus IS 250 in pic 1, I got the contract for the new Army car 6 weeks ago, dubbed for the time being, "Project Digger". It's a 1978 Ford LTD ex Staff Car some big general was supposed to have used frequently back then. The back of it is in pic 1.


During this time the work has been progressing smoothly. Rear suicide door conversion is almost complete, seen in pic 2. I've replaced the engine bay inner walls in pic 3 with flat steel for that smooth look and replaced the firewall 0.9mm steel with some 2.0mm stuff. With a blown 1200hp Ford 460 up front they reckon that I'll be in the passenger seat for the burnouts at the Summernats ( yeah baby! ) so there's no way I was going to be behind 0.9mm if something decided to let go!

Still to come is the 4" roof chop and the thicker transmission tunnel install. I'll take a pic of the fuel tank install for you too.

And yes, the money I'm getting for this is being pumped into my reek. Just thought you'd be interested!

     Simon
     The Metalsmith

Hi
Looking good mate
Will have to come an look after you have done the roof
I hade a chat to some of my ford loving mates about the roof and brazing of the panels all agreed this is not normal so the car may have a history of some kind from ford or it was damaged and an apprentice repaired it.

May be a roll over

Andrew

Hi again kids,
                   The roof chop and the modification to the doors is now complete. I just have to finish the mods to the firewall and transmission tunnel and the initial contract is complete, on time and on budget.

I say initial because the Army were so happy with the first lot of work they've given me more. Looks like Project Digger will be staying for a bit longer! Keep a lookout for a 2 page progress story in Street Machine magazine, August edition. 

By the way, one of bigwigs at the car company, Lexus, has seen the doors on the IS 250 pictured above and apparently loved them. The car is now going to be on display at the Sydney Motor Show in October, parked next to the rival Mercs, Jags and Maserati's. I'll whack one of my new stickers on the windscreen. That should drum up some high profile business!

Things are looking good kids...

     Simon

Hi
No pics ?????
I have to come over and take a look

Andrew

Sounds awesome Simon!! What a great way to get your name out!!

8]

congrats simon on the project very cool ... i dont suppose you got a link for the motor show do ya  ???

As recently updated on this forum at this thread:
                                                                     http://eurekacarclub.com.au/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=7dbe5f28fd564df7b572c3be4cbd8b37;PHPSESSID=ad6bb481f0fecc8afd629cc2baefe099&topic=322.0

I thought I'd continue to update this story under it's original subject heading.

The short Street Machine article was only intended to be a "heads up" style of appetite wetter. The main story is due to come out in Street Machine Fords Magazine (SMF) in the September issue.

I know this because the very day after I posted the thread above, Scott Taylor from SMF rang me and spent an hour getting the finer build details off me. I've read his final draft for the story and it's flattering to say the least. AND this one comes with my business phone number. Now lets see what happens...
     
Thanks for the info regarding your mate recognising my business name Cyc-baby. I'm spending decent money on advertising with no way of knowing if it's working or not, so your feedback is welcomed. A knowledgeable friend agrees with you about advertising being a cumulative thing so I guess we'll see.

     Simon

A teaser to wet out appetites, I see. I'm fairly sure my mate also gets Street Machine Ford/Holden mags too. I pick up a copy on the occasion too.   ;)

Weeeeeeeell,
                         Its finally hit the stands, kids. Street Machine Fords Issue 18. Its got a magnificent red tudor Falcon on the cover (drool). Turn to page 120 and see Project Digger in all its glory.

As I've said, the story is fairly flattering from my point of view. I don't consider my skills to be anything special. I think anyone could do it with a little skill and know-how. Almost disturbing then to hear the top Summernats judge recently state clearly I'm already way better at what I do than 3 out of four of my car building heroes.

Now the big question: lets see if the publicity turns into phone calls offering big dollar jobs. If not, it's all toilet paper in a couple of months...

     Simon

Had a quick look today, looks the business. Money is a little tight, but it's payday tomorrow, so I'll be picking up a copy. 

 ;) ;D

congrats on an other write up .... 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

Ok kids,
                Here's the biggie on this subject. After many months of furious preparation by the Army, Project Digger has been completed with more than 2 weeks to go to its major public unveiling at the Summernats.

Painted, buffed, trimmed, tuned and tweaked: the donk is pumping major HP. Part of my deal with the Army was that Susie and I score free tickets to the 'Nats for the entire weekend so we'll be there with bells on... er, make that direct NOS injection!

My mate in charge of the project, Benny Hewlitt, reports that the finished product is mind-blowing. The official unveiling will take place at a dedicated ceremony at the Summernats elite hall this Friday night (8th Jan) at 8:15 pm. I'll be the one inside the barrier almost completely chubby, with an unbreakable grin.

As a follow up to the story in Street Machine Fords, I was hopeing to get some big dollar work in the door as a result of that story. In reality though I haven't had a single phone call relating to that advertising. I told ya's! Nothing more than toilet paper. Maybe I'm in the wrong business...

See you there you freaks!

     Simon

the wrong business are you insane cars are a great business to be in... the summernats looks like a great event an down in canberra to people are talking about it on another forum so make sure you take business cards .... ;)

Simon, wait until the unveiling, I'd say that will be the moment when people stand up and take notice. By that I mean the people out on the streets, not in the industry. It's the customers who count in the end.

Disappointed!!
                                     I should've known. The Army is still way too politically driven to actually stick to their word. Yes, Susie and I were lucky enough to get our tickets to the weekend through my old army mate Benny who had to do it on the sly because the new 20 year old lieutenant ( lewy) of the project chose not to want to know me.

We were also promised a sneak preview of the car before it was officailly unveiled on Friday but on the way in to the pavillion this new lewy is suddenly in my face giving me attitude, whether I'm ex-army and built the car or not. He tells Susie and I to wait outside for an hour while they "polish" the car then leaves through another exit so he doesn't have to deal with me.

Okay. I know it's all the lewy because I can see the looks on the young diggers' faces. They know who I am and they're ashamed of what the lewy is doing. So anyway, we rock up to the officail unveiling. Susie and I'm in the front row, not inside the barrier. The veil goes down and it's apparent to myself and several other onlookers that the paint is barely above average.

 I have a good look first before I speak to the actual painter who confirms that the apprentices who did the initial work stuffed it and at the 11th hour he was called in to fix the unfixable. Some of the crowd is listening to us while we discuss the blemishes on the body when the lewy is in my face again this time calling me names and threatening to have me escorted from the building. WTF?

Throughout the announcing the speaker was instructed not to mention the car was built by anyone but the Army. This theme carried over the following day as the promised advertising from the projects' many contributors failed to even exist. Bloody sign was supposed to be as high as the truck. Nothing. Not even a hint of anything other than the Army did it all.

One of the legend car builders viewing the car asked who did the rear doors. Before the lewy could say anything I yelled, "I did!" and walked around to speak to him. At length, after explaining to the gathered crowd everything I'd done to the car the lewy was in my face yet again asking me to leave. I was about to get real feral ( I've always wanted to hit a lewy, especailly one that desperately needs it and believe me, I would've utterly DECKED him ) when I caught the look on my good Army mates' face that said don't. Ok mate. I didn't want my mates copping any repercussions.

So Susie and I left. We didn't bother going back on the Sunday. We'd seen enough of both the Summernats itself anyway and definately enough of the hospitality we recieved from certain sections the Army.

The next chapter in this saga takes place when Street Machine magazine puts the car on the front cover in either Feburary or March edition. I know the writer, Scotty Taylor, won't be intimidated by the Army when writing the story for the article and will stick to the facts. It'll still be a very interesting read though.

     Simon

what the hell man army guy's are meant to be united.. well at least you are apart of this army the reek army... ;)

sorry your weekend was a disappointment... put on a happy face  ;D

      man i cant believe the way you and your partner were treated there loss not yours mate ,with your talent you can only bounce back     your better than that     
                                            barab 13

Holy cow Simon, I'm truely shocked by your treatment. You did the hard yards with the metalwork, and the bloody lieutenant sounds like he wanted to clame it all for himself. Especially when it's already in Street Machine that they outsourced the metalwork to you.

Will certainly be interesting to see what the next installment of the story is in the next SM.

HI

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#* NOT HAPPY

I Have see this car as it was being built maybe at Metalsmith Land so there going to have a hard time bull shitting me.

Well done all the same Simon.

On another note the part of my employment/money  problems may be becouse of sum #*#*#*# in the #*#.

Can say much in public (Court action)

Andrew

Simon some guys are naturally tossers, but unfortunately sometimes extra stripes on a patch turns them into a whole heap worse. ignore the people that cant give you the time of day. YOU know what you have done and soon a lot more will as well thanks to SM. keep your head up. im sorry to hear of the utter arrogance and rudeness of this guy to both you and your partner.

looks like a march issue  simon cause they covered burnout's , showcars an miss summernats in the february issue.

Actually Dave,
                          I don't know if the front cover is going to happen now. I had Benny, my good mate from the event/project who organised me the tickets, call me a couple of nights ago to apologise. Apparently the diggers told him how the lewy stuffed Susie and I around.

It seems the orders had come from the top: no advertising for the contributors to the project, no talk of input other than the Army. Benny himself learnt a big lesson. He was the main project manager/co-ordinator for the entire project and they pulled him from it with two weeks to go till the Summernats. The most critical time.

The replacement had no idea about anything so Benny was called back with four days to go, worked 20 hour days to get the car ready and then was told he'd be back off the project at the end of the 'nats. Thanks but we don't need you now. Same as the contributors.

Benny said the cover story is in question because of the same reason: they don't need any further un-necessary advertising. If you think this is bad decision making, this is exactly typical of the Army. Bad decision after bad decision. In a combat scenario... well, you get the idea. This is one of the main reasons I left the Army. Lets just see what happens from here. Stay tuned, kids.

     Simon

sounds like a actudata every one have having in involvement an only one man taking credit...like the lho to the jfk scenario. ;) ;)

not sure if it has turned up here i have yet to go through them all
http://www.ozshowcars.com/sumtea.htm
 (http://[/url)

http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q127/KEV248/Summernats%202010/?start=0http://

Hey simon, i haven't read the article yet but there is a pic of project digger at the summernats in the current unique cars mag.

that's awsomme to see some couldn't pull rank on the magazine picture.. ;)

bought the issue today i will add the picture later if no objects... 8) it's a fab paint job ... 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

Hi guys,
               I had a flick through the latest unique cars mag and only saw a pic of the previous Army car, the Armygeddon. It's a 6 wheel drive Landrover painted in cam colours. Don't get confused.

     Simon

ohh no it's not on page 126 the show business feature... ???

Had a look on pg 126 this morning.
                                                          Yep, that's her Dave. Missed it the first time through. If you want a couple more pics, look on pg 3 of my website:

               www.themetalsmith.com.au

     Simon

hey simon...
me too cause i hadn't seen it complete before...an wow cool website .. 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

It's garbage at the moment, mate.
                                                        Far more to come. A young customer of mine is a website guru and is working on a complete makeover. He owes me plenty of favours so it's all good.

     Simon

bite your tongue it's a business card an you have increased your workload 10 fold multiplied by 1000 . 8)
makes a usefull link to... ;)

Weeeeeeeeell,
                The final chapter in this saga. Project Digger, in all it's glory, is featured on page 60 of the May edition of Street Machine. Not the front cover as was originally promised, but at this stage: who really cares? I'm still very proud of my work no matter where it is in a magazine. Looks pretty sick too!

Scott Taylor wrote the article as I predicted and he stuck to the hard facts and the exact timeline of the build, so he got it right. There's a paragraph on me and my work on the project so I'm happy. Toward the end of the article it  mentions the crowd at the Summernats unveiling loved the proportions of the roof chop. That's also great to hear because I spent days getting it right. The angle of the C pillar looks sick too.

Unfortunately, as mentioned earlier in this thread, all this fantastic advertising has absolutely no guarantee of customers in the door. It's been my hardest learnt business lesson to date. Having said that, I continue to make the same mistake by getting involved in other peoples passions and spending too many unpaid hours building their cars with the promise of prime advertising. I can't seem to help myself.

There'll be a highly competitive WRX scorching the Eastern Creek curcuit during the world invitational Time Attack/Superlap series in late May with my name all over it. There'll be one of my 'signature' cars on the front cover of the August edition of Hot Fours magazine, an Lexus IS 250 with rear suicide doors and airbags.

That edition will also include two articles I wrote. One an insight into how I do suicide doors (without any useable information) and the other an opening article on a major company project Skyline with four wheel tubs and another filthy set of bags, currently in my workshop waiting for sponsor dollars.

The customising must go on...

     Simon

good on ya simon, keep your head up and keep on working hard with all your good work!

i have yet to read the articles but if your getting your name in magazines an on cars it sounds like the best way for you to be exposed in the car business to me .. as far as guarantee's go it's all what you make of it money does make a person sucessfull take no offence but at the price of friends is a hard one cause friends always expect the best at no cost  but if the bills are paid an food is on the table an you have a little left over to splurge on things you love then your the richest one could ever be.... :)

Weeeelll,
             I wrote the following in this thread back in Feb:
     
Benny said the cover story is in question because of the same reason: they don't need any further un-necessary advertising. If you think this is bad decision making, this is exactly typical of the Army. Bad decision after bad decision. In a combat scenario... well, you get the idea. This is one of the main reasons I left the Army. Lets just see what happens from here. Stay tuned, kids.



The inside info I'm getting from my mates serving OS backs up what your hearing in the media regarding lack of support/bad decision making by the command stucture over there.

Part of me still wants to be with my mates, but most of me knows exactly what the're going through. And just here is fine.

     Simon

Here's the WRX I mentioned earlier:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7SqxhuqJI0

It might've taken a bit longer to get up and running, but it was worth it. The metal mods I've done to this car are extensive and awesome. It has more HP, more aero and more suspension than it's closest rival. Check out my logo on the side skirts. Time Attack 2011 look out...

     Simon

Man, what a BEAST!! 


 O0

nothing like seeing fact than fiction as opposed to what you read in the news latley..