To Todd....From the Ratpack

[Finch]

Todd,

We hope you are enjoying the next phase of your wonderful life and we are
happy to have you looking down on us. We are all so grateful to have known
you and shared in your upbeat outlook on everything in life no matter how
dire the circumstances. You give us all something to aspire to in our own
lives and for that we are forever grateful.

The reason I am writing is to just say thank you. Even before you left us
Albert and I had been discussing how to get involved in a charity to give
something back. It has been tough getting people to listen and get on
board with what we wanted to do outside of just "give me a check", we were
almost ready to give up.
This is where you and Beth came in and gave us purpose and direction in
the wish to give to Victory Junction Gang in your memory. Just a single
phone call was all it took and we were meeting with Greg from Petty garage
and he was making the calls to put things in motion.

I know you may already know this but for the rest of us we are now
announcing the Tribute build in your name with 100% of all money received
from the promotion and sale of the car to go to Victory Junction Gang. We
will also be working with them to allow the children and families to enjoy
the car at venues across the country next year before it goes across the
block at Barret Jackson drawing some big numbers for those that need it.

We know you will be keeping an eye on this and helping to clear any
hurdles we may have. So from all of us, we say Thank You for who you are
and what you have done.

We miss you,
The Ratpack





The Ratpack is pleased to announce a new and truly wonderful build we are starting. We hope this build will bring many people together both within and outside the PT community. We have teamed up with Petty Garage and The Victory Junction Gang to do great things with this car and really make an impact next year in Todd's memory.

Below is the rendering done by Ben Hermance and we are starting with a super clean actual Z28 tub so we have the car. We are now starting to reach out to all the manufacturers to get the parts rolling in. We will unveil the car sometime in the spring and plan to have it at all the Run to events as well as SEMA.

This build will take a lot of work by a lot of people so we are always looking for those willing to help make this dream become reality.

I am sure the rest of the Ratpack will chime in so I will keep the intro short and to the point.

Let's get building........

48878

[craigs73]

nice looking car...... this is a cool thing your doing glad to see people like you guys that can help acctually help most wont............... and i like to think all the sponsors as well for the build

[tazzz25906112]

This is a opportunity to do something wonderful and donate in the name of a "Great Man" who touched all our lives in a very special way.... As stated by Brian we had a couple of false starts and were getting quite discouraged but the good people from The Petty Garage and Victory Junction allowed us a vehicle (no pun intended LOL) to do something positive.... Todd you know the RatPack are proud to be a part of making this happen in your memory,,,God Bless my friend you are sorrily missed .......

[tommycomfort]

Excellent! I'm looking forward to following along and donating some wrenching "skill" (term used lightly) as time allows.
Tom

[66SuperSport]

This is a great idea and we are so pleased to see that the Victory Junction Gang was selected as the beneficiary of this wonderful generosity. This will be a great tribute to Todd and his family for all they have done to help us. Lynda and I have donated to the VJG for years. We have never had a chance to visit, but it looks to be an incredible place for kids to enjoy themselves in an environment where their illnesses and disabilities seem to disappear. We hope to be able to help out with this project in some way. Please keep us all informed on your progress and needs.

Thanks

[MarkB]

I am very happy to hear that this project is moving forward. I feel this is a perfect tribute to Todd and his family. Pleas count Bowler Performance Transmissions in on this project along with my sister company Phantom-Products. We will do whatever we need to help this project see completion. Thank you Brian and Albert, along with whoever else may already be involved in bringing this project to life and supporting a great group. God bless Todd, we miss you.

[John Wright]

I'm excited to see that it's an early 2gen....God Bless Todd and his family.

[patoruzrs73]

Nice to see mor 2nd gens.. and that concept look awesome...!!!!! please post all the pics of the process....!!!!!

[devwil68]

This is such a greT thing! Cant wait to hear the stroys and see it go across the block.

[rfalker1]

Best of luck to you and the build!! Sorry to hear about the loss.. I send my best to his family!!! But he seemed to live a wonderfully life and inspire a lot of people. That is true blessing in is self. Do great things with this car guys

[David Sloan]

OK I am in! Just let me know what you want me to work on or when to come to work on it!

I only meet Todd an talk with him once, But he made an impression on me that he was the real deal. ( a good down to earth person )
Thanks

[ProdigyCustoms]

Very cool

We are in for a Prodigy Smoked Glass Kit and one of our Prodigy Cool Package radiator / fan set ups.

Let me know what else we can do.

[Finch]

Very cool

We are in for a Prodigy Smoked Glass Kit and one of our Prodigy Cool Package radiator / fan set ups.

Let me know what else we can do.

Frank,

Thank you so much my friend. I had one of your killer smoked glass kits in mind from the start so this is great news. The fact your also throwing in the radiator and fan package truly touchs our hearts and will go along way to inspire others to join in on the mission.

Regards,

[eric1967]

Finch, is the build going to be at your shop? I would love to come help out. The Victory Junction Gang is a great cause. Thanks Eric

[LeighP]

Great concept...both the car and the plan for it to help others. Best of luck with it, guys.

[sr73bu]

Great stuff guys! What an amazing community we have here! Good luck with the build... rendering looks awesome!

-Sean

[796spdbu]

Brian,Albert,

You know I am ready and willing to help any way I can.

[zombiekiller]

Brian,
Although new to this scene. I'm local to you and am more than happy to lend a hand, a wrench or a weld to a good cause. Please let me know if you need another set of hands, even if its just to move stuff around or push a broom. Regardless of whether you take me up on it, this is certainly a great project for a great cause!

[RS_Customs]

OK I am in! Just let me know what you want me to work on or when to come to work on it!

I only meet Todd an talk with him once, But he made an impression on me that he was the real deal. ( a good down to earth person )
Thanks

Great project!

I meet Todd at RTTH's a few years back and he was a cool guy. I am in for lending a hand. I'll ride up with David when you need the help.

Robert

[Finch]

Finch, is the build going to be at your shop? I would love to come help out. The Victory Junction Gang is a great cause. Thanks Eric

Eric,

The majority of the build will be at my shop so any and all help is welcome.

[Finch]

Brian,
Although new to this scene. I'm local to you and am more than happy to lend a hand, a wrench or a weld to a good cause. Please let me know if you need another set of hands, even if its just to move stuff around or push a broom. Regardless of whether you take me up on it, this is certainly a great project for a great cause!

Dave,

I saw a few of your posts when you first joined and planned to reach out and say hi since your local so now we will have a good reason to meet up. Extra hands are always welcome on this project and any of the others I have going on.

Look forward to meeting you

[Finch]

Great project!

I meet Todd at RTTH's a few years back and he was a cool guy. I am in for lending a hand. I'll ride up with David when you need the help.

Robert

Great news, Thanks Robert

[zombiekiller]

Dave,

I saw a few of your posts when you first joined and planned to reach out and say hi since your local so now we will have a good reason to meet up. Extra hands are always welcome on this project and any of the others I have going on.

Look forward to meeting you

Likewise!

Just give me a shout whenever you need/want some help. Some weekends I'd almost prefer to work on someone else's junk instead of my own. :pat:

[Finch]

Here are a few pictures of the top and bottom of the tub we are starting with. I will post up more pics once the car arrives. It is very clean and we will have no rust repair to do before we start cutting it up to add the go fast goodies.

48945489464894748948

[Rick D]

Brian, I work for a paint company Akzo Nobel, Sikkens paint I will see if I can get the paint product donated and maybe some help in that department. send me a pm with your number if you think you could use our help.

[SparkyRnD]

looks like a great build for a great cause!

[bhcustomdesigns]

Brian this is a great build,if I can help out in any way turning wrenches bodywork anything doesnt matter I live 5 hours away, but getting to spend time with fellow protouring friends and building a car for such a great cause just let me know and I will be there to help out.

[badazz81z28]

Brian,

Such a great thought. I wish I had some valuable skills I could provide. I should be around your neck of the woods a few times in the coming months. I will definitly be excited to watch this build.

[Orange Crush]

Any updates?

[coolwelder62]

I dropped the car off at RideTech last week.It has a Ridetech 4-bar rear suspension,Triple ajustable coilover's,Ridetech Tiger cage,DSE mini tub's,DSE sub frame connector's,DSE smooth fire wall panel.And Brian Finich will be finishing the frt.suspension off W/a DSE HydroForumed subframe.It was an honor to be able to work on the project.Thank's Scott Mock.

[Orange Crush]

Thanks. First class all the way! Very fitting tribute. Ben's rendering has been my screensaver since it was first posted and I can't wait to see the completed project.

[454bug]

Hey Brian and Albert,

This is a great project for a great cause! :twothumbs

I don't know what you have and don't have but I may have a few items you may need... With my Bug's drivetrain setup, I really wanted to have a 35-spline axle setup. At the time of need, there really wasn't anything out there that was hitting the mark for me. I ended up purchasing a Moser Dual Bolt-Pattern floater setup (5x4-1/2" & 5x4-3/4") and a Wavetrac 31-spline differential. About 6 months later, GMR came out with the exact setup I really wanted to run in the first place. Therefore, I stepped up and purchased the GMR floater setup and I am upgrading my center section with a Wavetrac 35-spline differential.

If interested, I am happy to donate the entire Moser DBP floater system to the project as well as the brand new Wavetrac 31-spline differential.

Let me know if these items would help the project and keep up the great job!! :cheers:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/DSC03814-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/DSC03815-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/DSC03812-1.jpg

When you get a chance, let us all know what you have and more importantly, what you don't have and let's see what we can round up for you...

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a lot of parts layin' around "just in case" I may need them one day! :)

[tazzz25906112]

Ray that is "way generous buddy" thank you very much I'm sure Brian will chime in here too..... This car really is bringing out the best spirit in this community indeed,, again thanks very much!!!!!!

[Bryce]

Ray, that is freaking awesome!

[LeighP]

WOW! Thats some serious stuff.

[RS_Customs]

Very cool Ray!

Robert

[coolwelder62]

Ray,That's awesome of you Buddy.Thank's Scott M.

[454bug]

No problem guys. It warms my heart to be able to help!

I haven't heard from Brian yet to see if he needs any of these items... If he does, I think I'll just make it easier on everyone and donate the whole aluminum center section and I'll just start over from scratch for my 35-spline setup! :)

By the way, Brian, it has Moser's 3.50 gears if that will work with your setup.

Let me know and I'll get the whole center section in the mail!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/DSC03811-1.jpg

[Finch]

No problem guys. It warms my heart to be able to help!

I haven't heard from Brian yet to see if he needs any of these items... If he does, I think I'll just make it easier on everyone and donate the whole aluminum center section and I'll just start over from scratch for my 35-spline setup! :)

By the way, Brian, it has Moser's 3.50 gears if that will work with your setup.

Let me know and I'll get the whole center section in the mail!

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/05/DSC03811-1.jpg


Ray,

I apologize for the delay in getting back to you on this, Too many cars and very little time has kept me away from the keyboard for too long.

I cannot say how this warms my heart for you make such a donation as an individual. We had approached Moser as a sponsor and recently was informed they have decided to back out of the project due to limited advertising dollars so this is truly heaven sent at the right time.

We have connections all over the aftermarket so maybe there is something you need we can help procure to give back some for your generosity.

You have re-ignited my fire on this so even more thanks is due.

[454bug]

Ray,

I apologize for the delay in getting back to you on this, Too many cars and very little time has kept me away from the keyboard for too long.

I cannot say how this warms my heart for you make such a donation as an individual. We had approached Moser as a sponsor and recently was informed they have decided to back out of the project due to limited advertising dollars so this is truly heaven sent at the right time.

We have connections all over the aftermarket so maybe there is something you need we can help procure to give back some for your generosity.

You have re-ignited my fire on this so even more thanks is due.

Hey Brian,

No problem! I'm glad some of this stuff can be of use for the project.

Let's get together and get things rolling!

[MuscleRodz]

Brian, call me, I tried calling you awhile back on this butno response. I know your busy. Let me know if there is anything we can help with on the build.

[Finch]

After a long delay I am happy to say we are finaly back on track with this build. As we got into the summer months and knew we could not hit the fall Barret Jackson dates we decided to push the project to the winter so we can have it at several events next year before it is auctioned off.

Some other news is that we picked up another donor car to start with, Albert Melchoir and Bret Voelkel were nice enough to swing a deal and provide a complete running and driving 71 RS. This car already had the Ridetech 4 link as well as the awesome Tigercage so it put us many hours ahead.

[Finch]

6792167922679236792467925

[Finch]

We started tearing it down and had it completely stripped in a day

67926679276792867929

[Finch]

Car is ready to be blasted. I gave a call to Jesse and Jeff Greening and they graciously agreed to blast the tub for us at no charge. They are the hottest shop in the country this year and are still down to earth enough to stop what they are doing to help a great cause.

Thanks again Greening Auto.

67930

[tommycomfort]

Excited to follow along again!

[coolwelder62]

Congrat's on getting started on this Awesome project.

[Finch]

I dropped the tub off this week at Greening Auto in Nashville where they will be blasting it clean for us to start the minor rust repair. I was fortunate enough to spend the lunch hour with them touring the shop and checking out some killer projects in the works. I saw some custom headlights they built that cost more than most crate engines.

Again many thanks to them for stepping up to help out a great cause. This thing will start coming together soon so anyone who wants to stop by and burn some metal or turn a wrench just holler.


68402

[Finch]

Another cool deal is that Mike Hogue with Campbell Hausfeld has joined the cause. They are releasing a new line of pro tools that are top quality and work. They feature full cast aluminum bodies with rubber grips. He dropped off a pile of tools that I don’t think are even out yet so we get to torture test them on this build. I can say that the cut off tools are almost twice as fast as my current ones so cannot wait to try out the rest of the tools

684036840468405

[coolwelder62]

Way cool.Brian if I can help out in any way please call.

[tazzz25906112]

Great progress is underway and the industry and private response has been incredible.... The following represent a list of committed suppliers and there are more to add as we finalize the needs and agreed donations... Please forgive me if I make an error on this initial list as I am assembling individuals on the fly and trying to pull all the info together here... The partial list is as follows:

-American Auto Wire
-A Plus Powder Coating
-American Street Car Series
-ARP
-Baer Brakes
-BCII
-BFG
-Campbell Hausfeld
-Carbon Kustoms Ltd.
-Center Force (Dyad twin disc)
-DSE
-Finch Products
-FM 3 Performance Marketing
-Forgeline wheels
-Ray Hale (Donated a new 9" center section)
-GT Motorsports (Greg Tholen)
-Hermance Design
-Jet Hot
-JRD International (Glass for the car)
-Lingenfelter Performance Engineering
-Musclerodz & Customz
-Optima Batteries
-Perma cool Products
-Rick's tanks
-Royal Purple
-Source Interlink
-The RatPack
-Vintage air
-Vintage Racing and Performance (Scott Mock)
-Wisco

Thank you all these individuals and companies for their support.....

[tazzz25906112]

Carbon Kusotms is pleased to share some pic's of the joint efforts of plugs in progress... Brian Finch, Greg Tholen and our own work shop have been working the plugs that will act as Mold Bucks.... The easiest way to to think of this process is a one shot attempt to build a perfect show winning panel as any defects become repeated in every part there after,,,, no pressure there right gang ;-).... These parts are far from done (still have a ton of hours of blocking to insure the best possible results on the bucks),,, however these images showcase the new products shapes and general look at this point for your enjoyment.... Welcome to the inside loop gang cause this car is going to be awesome ;-)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/06/Hoodbuckinprogress_zps717d29d0-1.jpg (http://s997.photobucket.com/user/projectwarpath/media/Carbon%20Parts/Hoodbuckinprogress_zps717d29d0.jpg.html)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/06/Nosebuckinprogress_zps064b118c-1.jpg (http://s997.photobucket.com/user/projectwarpath/media/Carbon%20Parts/Nosebuckinprogress_zps064b118c.jpg.html)

[protouring70]

Looks incredible! As always. Glad to see progress knowing how busy you are!!

[tazzz25906112]

Thanks Bret....

On a separate note I'm also happy to announce that Sparky Rnd and Perma-cool stepped up on the cooling needs for the Gartshore build recently and we're still hitting sponsors up so who knows you maybe next ;-)

[badazz81z28]

Is there an update on this car?