Have you ever been in a room with three-hundred people, awaiting the judges’ results? The anticipation is intense. Then your category is called. The announcer says “And first place goes to…” Right now you heart is beating so fast the person setting next to you can hear it. All you can think about is the several months you have spent on your entry, the 36 hour days of precision work. Now you might be wondering what it is that I built. All I can reply is “My dream”.
The first time I realized what I wanted to do after high school, I was 14 and I was walking out of the locker room after track practice, when I saw a 2001 Dodge Neon. It had a body kit, an air suspension, BMW fenders, a dual hood scoop, euro headlights and taillights, and so many more modifications inside and out. I remember one of my friends saying it was the coolest car he had seen. In fact it was the coolest car I had seen. Then the driver rolled down the window, that’s when it hit me. It was my brother. I didn’t realize he could create something like this.
My interest in custom cars skyrocketed from here. I hit the internet every night looking at pictures of cars, trying to find one I liked. Then I came across a 1969 El Camino. I knew I had to have one. So I began my search for the perfect El Camino project car. I wanted to know how my brother created his car, so he invited me to his car club meeting in Neosho. I got to see all the cars they had built and the cars they were working on. It was a great experience.
In October of 2003, seven days before my birthday, I found a 1976 El Camino in almost perfect condition. Within a week after I bought my car I began customizing. First I took out all the interior pieces and painted them red and black with the help of my older brother. After I put all the pieces back in the car I realized the old blue bench seat wasn’t going to work so I used my birthday money to buy two red and black racing seats. Once I installed the seats it didn’t look right so I went to the local salvage yard and found a beat up center consol. I added some cup holders with fiberglass and painted it to match the other interior pieces. From here I spent months trying to customize everything I could. I tried to make it unique from any other El Camino.
In late June of 2004 I entered my car in to the 17th annual Chevelle Regional in Springfield, Mo. This is when all of sleepless nights paid off. The judge’s gave my car 861 points out of a possible 1000 points. I received first place. I was only 15, and this was the first car show I had ever been to.
Since then I have acquired many different vehicles in which I have been customizing. The most successful in shows is my 1995 Honda Civic. This Civic is 100% custom as are all my vehicles. I have 6 Vehicles, 3 of which will be competing in the 2008 season. The 1976 El Camino, 1995 Honda Civic, 1997 Geo Metro. My show season starts on March 1st in south Padre. Form March to October I will be entering a car show of national status every weekend. My full schedule is posted in my blog. This is not an easy sport as you all ready know. I will need all the support I can get. I will do everything in my power to succeed. And if you choose to sponsor me I will do everything in my power to support your product(s).
Thank You For Your Time
Jonathan Jobe