We still keep very busy in our shop, with a crew of seven on most days. We have lots of fun projects lined up to keep us busy at least until late spring. One project we are doing is for a mini golf that is being built in Carmen, Manitoba. There's a Drive Inn restaurant called Syl's that has been in operation since 1960. They are adding a mini golf. The obvious theme was cars from that era. I designed a 1960's gas station as the clubhouse which the owner is constructing. We are building two cars, a tow truck, two gas pumps and a sign - all in a fun cartoon style of course. Here's the links to the pics...
The 1932 hot rod dragster was a whole lot of un to build. We sourced some real slicks and retro rear mags. The front wheels we built in our shop. hot rod
The sign is built out of heavy gage steel, all welded up nice and pretty. It will be powder coated for maximum durability. retro style sign
The tow truck was a lot of fun as well - especially the web boom with a hand crank to roll in the cable. tow truck
I remember pumping gas at my first job - $25 cents a gallon!!! gas pumps
The vw bug was also a fun build. It reminded me of Janis' car which she drove when we first dated. vw bug Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Boy, I sure would like to see the car hauler with these "Vehicles" on board going down the road.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
We have delivered countless features and signs of every description through the years and it is always a whole lot of fun. Every time we stop for any reason there is an instant crowd. On occasion we see the press as we travel and have received a whole lot of exposure because of it.
That is an effective sign!
-grampa dan
Posted by Don Hulsey (Member # 128) on :
Once again Dan, super cool project. I have to ask if the numbers on the pumps have hidden meaning?
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
We hide many things through our projects of course. Licence plates are an easy mark for letters and numbers and mean something to our crew and families, although few others will know the significance. We've named many waterways and other features after members of our family. Our house has many thousands of hearts through all of the exterior trim. A bunch of rocks are heart shaped as are many knotholes. It's a house built with love. In the Hazelnut Inn project we are building next door there are many, many hidden references to family and crew. It's a fun way of putting a little more of ourselves into our work.
Do we tell where they are and what they mean? Not often - except to those we honour.
