Night course ... Hot Rod class @ a community college?

[NOVA]

Anyone here ever take a night class in body work / mechanics etc at there community college?
I know some community colleges offer a night class two or three nights a week, and you are encouraged to bring your car in and work on it,has anyone did this and actually got anything constructive done on there car, painted or wired or a motor job done?

[Twentyover]

When I lived in OC California. Goldenwest CC offered a night course in auto body restoration. You brought your own tin and worked on it. I learned enough about restoration to make me happy I'm an engineer....

Really was helpful, I did learn alot. Like anything, you get out of it what you put in...

[Gordz32]

Me and my buddies did back in Jersey. I painted my f-350 as well as did all the bodywork. we also did my buddies dads 68 camaro( hung a quarter on it), 87 chevy 1500 and an old apache pickup. Its great b/c you just payed like $300 between the lab fee and the course fee and all you pay for is paint. If you go with some friends it makes it alot of fun. Plus you can hammer stuff out pretty quickly, we did! Well worth it you have it available in your area.

[1969CamaroRS]

I have been doing exactly what you described - my project through CC classes. However they are day classes as hardly anything if offered outside the basic Auto class at night. I'm lucky in that sense that I work afternoon/evening shift that lets me take school in the mornings.

I would think many of the larger CCs would offer night classes. I'm hoping to take some paint body classes after I have my suspension/brakes/powertrain done.

So far this has all been done in engine building/machining/suspension/welding(for minitub) etc classes - My project:


out with old and tired late 70s 307 with 2barrel


doing all my own machining:


new 489 BBC broken in on engine stand waiting to go in:


crusty and old front-end


completely redone front end pro-touring style:


old and crusty


Post mini-tub pro-touring style:


Its been a blast and the best part is the teachers are all hot-rodders with their own projects. I have learnt so much and had the most fun of my life doing it. Before I started I really didn't know much about cars but had always wanted to do something like this, just didn't have the experience or knowledge. Having all the right tools, lift and machining equipment and very experienced knowledgeable teachers makes a world of difference. I have done way more than I ever dreamed (at first all wanted to do was an engine). No way I could have afforded all the tools that the shop has (been slowly trying to acquire what I use regularily there).

Definitely worth it!

[NOVA]

Looks good! what school you going to in L.A? are you selling off your take off parts/ old motors etc?

Do students help each other on some things or swap work, example: if you are good with wiring and someone else good with motor building, can or do you trade expertise so to speak?

I have been doing exactly what you described - my project through CC classes. However they are day classes as hardly anything if offered outside the basic Auto class at night. I'm lucky in that sense that I work afternoon/evening shift that lets me take school in the mornings.

I would think many of the larger CCs would offer night classes. I'm hoping to take some paint body classes after I have my suspension/brakes/powertrain done.
Post mini-tub pro-touring style:
Its been a blast and the best part is the teachers are all hot-rodders with their own projects. I have learnt so much and had the most fun of my life doing it. Before I started I really didn't know much about cars but had always wanted to do something like this, just didn't have the experience or knowledge. Having all the right tools, lift and machining equipment and very experienced knowledgeable teachers makes a world of difference. I have done way more than I ever dreamed (at first all wanted to do was an engine). No way I could have afforded all the tools that the shop has (been slowly trying to acquire what I use regularily there).

Definitely worth it!

[NOVA]

Me and my buddies did back in Jersey. If you go with some friends it makes it alot of fun. Plus you can hammer stuff out pretty quickly, we did! Well worth it you have it available in your area.

Thats a good idea, get some others with similar interests or friends with projects and help each other.
Thanks.

[1969CamaroRS]

Looks good! what school you going to in L.A? are you selling off your take off parts/ old motors etc?

Thanks!. I have sold off / given away most of the spare parts. The school was interested in the old engine so I donated it to them (they can use the spare parts; least I could do for all the help I received).

Do students help each other on some things or swap work, example: if you are good with wiring and someone else good with motor building, can or do you trade expertise so to speak?

I had help pulling out the old motor; had about 6 people working on it, had it out in about 40min. I have gotten help as I needed it from various students and instructors, one of the really cool things about doing the project at school, lots of ideas and help. Mostly the tear downs and installation where needed more than one set of hands.

[NOVA]

When I lived in OC California. Goldenwest CC offered a night course in auto body restoration. You brought your own tin and worked on it. I learned enough about restoration to make me happy I'm an engineer....

Really was helpful, I did learn alot. Like anything, you get out of it what you put in...

This was the one I was thinking of in OC,thanks.

[blown9746]

I wish they had a school near me that did these kind of courses or even just some welding classes

[ScotI]

I did welding, paint, & bodyworking classes @ my local community college. I was a great environment for learning.

The only thing I didn't care for was if the car was left in the shop, it was fair game for any student. As we all know, all men are not created equal when it come to our cars. Some guys have an eye for the details & some guys unfortunately don't. We had to drive 'em home every night & carefully chose those who might assist on any work.

For me it worked out well because I met one of my best friends through the course. 20yrs later he's the guy that went w/me to RTTH's this year & we still work together on projects.