New Years resolutions.

How's that old saying go? if you want to make God laugh tell him your plans? That has always made a lot of sense to me, when it comes to New Years resolutions. Not that its stopped me from making them. While the world seems to be spiraling back into crazy at least here in the US I am feeling optimistic about the little I have control over. So since its been a long time since I have done a state of the Union and you guys have been asking. Why not give in to the excellant timing. So here is what I am shooting for in the upcoming year both Business/The Lowered Wise and personal automotive goals.

I am writing this on December 23rd. I am about to head out of town for the holiday with family, shopping done and presents wrapped all thats left is to sit back and enjoy. last night I dropped podcast #8 and I somehow was able to get a head start on #9. As I mentioned before. you guys have me feeling like I might be able to achieve some pretty big goals for The Lowered this coming year. I am starting to get to a point where I feel like I can reliably get an episode a month out. My goal this year for the Podcast is to become at least monthly if not bi monthly by the end of 2023.

unfortunately for me this is going to require a greater time commitment. Not only that I'm going to need to step my game up in a few ways. First, technology wise. I've gotten away from doing phone interviews due to the difference in audio quality but I dont see any way I'll make my goal without them at least for now. So, I've got to figure that out. Second, while I am starting to get the hang of a very rudimentary version of editing Id like to continue stepping things up on that front. I've been looking at sound boards and headsets and stuff but as I am a novice at this still and have never been into the music/recording side of technology before, its all a big learning process. But one I am enjoying. Thirdly, I have started clearing out a weird spare room my home has that I will be turning into my office/podcast studio this summer. Its gonna be a lot of work. The previous owner built the addition as an indoor spa room and used sliding glass doors as a few of the walls. So most of those will be coming out and solid walls going in. they covered the floors with big slate pavers and thats all coming out as well. I'll be putting in special sheet rock and sub flooring to soak up the sound and improve recording Podcasts. I have an electrician on tap already to wire up the room and install a stand alone heat/AC system. I am pretty stoked its not gonna be cheap but its a major investment in the direction I want to go professionally. the room is plenty big enough for a desk/interview area and a living room/hang area where I'll be able to add a couch with a bed in it for folks that want to crash. This new room/office/studio will also give me way more space for all my art/stuff I've collected over the years. So just getting that room dialed in will solve a lot of problems. So theres my main three goals business/Podcast wise. As for your requests for a re opening of my store front, I am pretty stoked on that front. I have been ordering stickers building up stock as well as working on new images. I still haven't found a company that will make an American Flat brim flex fit style hat that I am happy with but that search continues. If I can't make the hat happen I plan on at least making the stickers and another limited run of T shirts this year.

Car wise

Trucky Verde

Oh man did she soak up a lot of resources in 2022 with a completely new Magnusen supercharged engine a new trans and drive shaft to back it up. Eesh The hard top was not happy at seeing her budget blown on Trucky Verde. So, I dont foresee making any more major progress on Trucky Verde in the coming year. I will however will be getting some very minor body/paint work done. Replacing of exterior plastics and trim, a grill swap as well as a major, major deep detail to get her exterior looking right. While I won't be able to take the next major step with her this year I do plan on following Matt and TBR garages suggestions for the engines next stage. Nothing crazy as California won't allow it. I do plan to pick up things like a smaller blower pulley, an upgraded throttle body and a few other little parts to take the new motor and trans to the next level up. Sadly the new Chassis and stock floor body drop I am dreaming of will have to wait. however If the slosh tubs guys make inner fender replacements available then plans might change.

The Green 66 Galaxie hardtop, La Tourista.

I am hoping to make some major progress here. I have made a few calls to see about possibly getting some paint correction and minor body work redone. Admittedly thats my stretch goal. More attainable is finally getting some audio installed. I finally found the shop I want to go with and am all kinds of stoked to finally have tunes again. I also think I have found the materials I want to get the front and rear seats as well as rear package tray all redone and hope to get those things dialed at the same time.

The White 66 convertible.

As you can see by the middle quick and dirty photo shop, I plan on going pretty hard on my convertible when I do finally get to her. As such I dont think I'll be able to put much of a dent in, or more accurately, get many of the dents worked out on this one. Short of me getting a major raise or making a new and magical body working buddy I'll be happy if I can score a few more parts on her list. Slow progress is still progress after all. Parts wise, I'd like to pick up another complete convertible top mechanism for her. I dont really need one but I plan on chroming the complete mechanism and so having a second will make that allot easier. Ihave also been on the look out for a 7.3 Godzilla for her but unless Ford or someone else decides to sponsor me for some reason I dont see that happening. I also haven't come across many builds using them yet that so details like trans options are still an unknown for me. for those reasons and the obvious cost of the conversion that dream is pretty up in the air.

The 1941 Buick.

This is the only car in the fleet that I would consider letting go. While I am not actively looking to sell I have had a few offers that made me think. With limited resources it might make sense to thin the herd, That said I own her outright and registration and insurance isn't that bad. She's also pretty well dialed in mechanically so I am enjoying cruising her to cars and coffee and other local spots. Unless someone makes me an offer I can't refuse or a trade I cant pass up, she'll stay right were she's at. The next faze of the Buicks evolution is going to require one more 1941 Cadillac front bumper and overriders. I currently have a 41 Cadillac front and back bumper but I need one more front 1941 Cadillac front bumper to do what I have in mind. Like a lot of you I am just a regular guy working a regular job, meaning funds are tight but I made a commitment to myself with this car. I promised myself that if I ever did a traditional Custom I wouldn't allow myself to do a clone or bite off someone else's style. I doubt I'll get another shot with a pre war build if I do let this one go. So I won't waste what might be my only shot by making changes for changes sake and I won't knowingly do mods that have been done to a 41 Buick already. Some things are un avoidable, for instance a chop is definitely on the list but I will do it my own way with a unique silhouette in mind. In my mind building traditional Custom is the ultimate automotive Resume topper. It's a seminal achievement that sets in stone your design ethic and predilections. If I was a design boss at a major automotive studio the first part of any new designer interview would be a walk out to the parking lot. Show me what you're workin with! It's not gonna be cheap, nothing in this lifestyle of ours is but the next change I've got it in my head focuses on the front and rear bumpers. and drivers side rear fender. Without giving to much away, I plan to mix the stock 41 buck front and rear bumpers and over riders in with two 41 Cadillac front bumpers to create completely new and original front and rear bumpers. if I can make that happen this year I'd be happily surprised.

So thats my hopes for the coming year, will I attain all of them, probably not but why not aim high and hope for the best? What are some of your goals for the new year?

James

The Lowered HMFIC