Third Gen Auto inside ----MESSY
 

A friend in Sri Lanka wanted to see inside the shop as I am always stating how messy it is. Any of you whom have been here knows it very true its a disaster. File too large to email, so I made a generic lame voice one and posted on youtube and thought i'd share on here to show just how messy a 39 year old male ford parts hoarder can be... Its sad to think this has all been acquired in a mere 13-15 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3myO7cnDh9k

Re: Third Gen Auto inside ----MESSY
 

Looks like my kinda' place!
Tom

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No worse than when I was last there. My indoor junkyard isn't much better.

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OOOOF--You weren't kidding Michael Driskell!!!!!!! That was an enjoyable 11+ minutes. I think you and Fred Willner should have a merger. Lotsa options for a good company name. One computer system. One inventory.
Willner&Driskell North and Willner&Driskell South (or vise-versa)

You could hire a couple strong gals with organizing skills to smooth the operations. Get all the parts organized for you and streamline the business.

Actually it looks like "Ford Heaven" to me! I can only imagine how much money I would spend if you let me walk through with a shopping cart. Even if I had no use for some of it the joy of just looking at it every day would be a pleasure. As I am sure it is for you! I was at Fred's a couple years ago and didn't want to leave. I hope both of you guys hang around for years to come. +++

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Looks fine to me…haha!

Moar distributor parts …

https://www.facebook.com/share/19mUE...ibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.facebook.com/share/179iJ...ibextid=wwXIfr

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Size of true gearhead's collection = available space x 2

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Perhaps it defies logic after seeing the video, but every time I place an order with Thirdgen, I can count on it being in stock and I receive it very quickly. An order not long ago placed on a Friday was in my mailbox the following Wednesday. A side note… they’re shipped USPS and always seem to arrive quickly. Not sure why many people beat up the USPS.

I’ve always been happy with Thirdgen parts quality, service, and corrective action when a rare issue occurred. Thanks for your commitment to the hobby, and passion for old Fords.

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Fred has a collection I could never compete with! The issue in it all is time. It is impossible these days to hire decent employees who care about the mission and not just a paycheck. Times are tougher than ever but I still enjoy grabbing a box and going through it and identifying the parts. It's my love and passion and sadly my income and job. Lord help me if I were to ever become retired with no concerns. I would just polish on little trinket parts and identify items and rebuild components and live my happy life with no concern of a bottom dollar or overhead. Life is good, and this has been a enjoyable journey. Guys Like DavidG are the reason for my obsession he has tought me so much, and David Likey remembers when this was a starting journey for me when it was nothing more than a obsession and hobby and thirst for knowledge.

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Michael...I am sooo proud of you! :D

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You walk-through video is a reminder of the chaos we see everyday in our transmission shop. From time to time it gets tidied up and slightly more organized, but that lasts only as long as the interval to the next batch of transmission cores that come in from swap meets, auctions, or other acquisitions. I hate having to step over parts on the floor. I hate that identical parts might be living in several locations in the building, rather than in one easy to find spot. I hate that the intake of core parts and their journey to the final spotless finished transmission generates so much crud and dust and other bits and pieces of debris. I almost hate that the cleaned and painted or refurbished parts can’t live in my sight on the shelves to enjoy. However, I also love selling the nice parts to help customers keep their projects on the road….and making a living in the process. I was close to proud of the appearance of the transmission shop during the week of the school we held here in 2023. Sadly in many ways things have reverted back to a semi organized mess. I feel your pain Michael…..there’s never enough time in the day to do all the things you’d like to accomplish. Just know that it’s enough for now and that you’ve always got tomorrow.

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Very impressive Michael! Keep up the good work!
Doug.

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That was a fun tour Michael, thanks!

Glenn

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Neat, keep going we need young blood in our hobby

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Michael thank you for what you do, without passionate collectors/ sellers like you the hobby would be hurting.

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MESSY?!?!?!…….I could live there!…..my wife saw the video as I was watching it and said
“ Don’t you dare!!”……Thanks for the tour!…….Mark

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Micheal, I resemble that video..possibly worse!!!! DavidG & Mac VanPelt....I strive to get my shop like yours, I've been to both and would be thrilled to get mine like yours.....David I spent last weekend trying to organize my parts stash and get them prepped and restored and stored like you!!! Thanks for sharing Michael, Dave, Mac and all that posted. Like you said, You, David, Mac, Sheldon, Kube just to name a few have helped to fuel the passion and drive to do, restore and make things the best they can be....The knowledge I have learned from these guys I can never repay the feeling of gratitude!!!! Thanks to all that post here on the Fordbarn...the learning never stops!!!

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Enjoyed the tour!

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All that stuff and you know exactly where everything is.

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Looks just fine and dandy to me. It's a great resource that we really need.
Thank goodness for 3rd Generation.

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Yes, thank you Michael for being so passionate. I remember seeing you and your vehicles at Nashville at the national meet a few years ago, but didn't get to meet you. Wish I could have hung around and got to know a few more folks, but had to drive to Michigan for my bro-in-law's funeral.

Al Hook

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I'm glad your business is there, I've been a customer, at times, through the years. Having restored 3 cars and listening to my wife's complaints about the mess in the process, I had to share the video with her and her comment was
"you're one of them"

Good goin'

cdan34

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Local fellows can't stand my place- "You have price tags on everything" yep it's all tagged for my estate [someday] sale. Seen tooo many of those 'dump it all sales'. Newc

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Dale


Ive been doing the same thing....SORTA....Been pulling all my parts off the shelves and boxing, labeling and on "some" of them writing prices on them so IF something happens to me, my wife will not get completely taken advantage of. Some things I cannot box I have tagged like you!!!

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Thanks for the tour. As we all have said we are glad you love the business. Happy V8ing.

Bart

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I too, love your obvious passion for parts. There's always room for a few more parts (we just may need) even when your available car bays are full. And then making a business of it is so much the better. Great video. I kept looking for the messy part but didn't see any.

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I have had this thought for a long long time --- sell a vehicle-----you have an empty stall ----- you must fill it with something! It's a circle..............that just keeps going around.

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Michael - Thanks for sharing the video of your shop. It looks remarkably like my garage and basement.

I've always been impressed by your accumulated knowledge and ability to accurately identify parts and really appreciate your service to the EFV-8 hobby!

Like some others, I've been boxing, tagging and identifying my 1935-36 truck parts so someone can come along after me and know what the heck these parts fit as truck parts are often different than car parts.

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Looks like my wife's craft/sewing room only with better stuff and more space.
THANKS Michael !

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Sell a vehicle, receive money.
Spend the money.
Now you have neither the car or money!

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Awesome place! Thank you!

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Oh, I get it Michael . . . and my collection is nowhere near as extensive as many of you guys. However, in an effort to "compete" (laugh, laugh, laugh), I'm building a new 40x48 shop building here in South Dakota . . . "sistered" onto my 44x48 building. This will allow me to move all my "junk" from Ohio to SD. This will also give me more space to fill with all sorts of automotive crap . . . that I'll probably never have time to get "roundtoit".

Thank God we have folks like you in this world - we need yah!

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Michael, I have a deal for you. Leave your shop unlocked while you are in Hershey and we will "clean it up" for you.

Ken

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Ken,
Bring bait for the killer protection cat.

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Just have to say THANK YOU for all the your help over the years. Your parts are always top notch and you always have an answer for any questions I throw at you. Thank you and you knowledgeable staff. Bill Bergen in NJ

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Michael,
I enjoyed your video, it's much like my own place! I bought an old 50's Ford dealer parts inventory many years ago. It's now a bunch of stuff I will never use, so all I can say, is do you need some more parts?

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The last time I was there you charged me $10.00 for a tour? What's up?


Just kidding, of course. I hope to see that mess real soon, live and in person. Don't clean nothin'.

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How about answering my email?

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Same question from me.

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4:30. Well shit, I was all ready to ask you if you'd be interested in giving me a credit toward my shock cores. Supply and demand says... "yeah, no". lol.

Honestly though, I've bought probably a third of my fordor from you.

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Impressive! Ive been a customer from the start and always my first choice.