Was it fate?
You be the judge.
In 2006 John sent Mark an e-mail. There were more life changes in store for John and his family, they had decided to move to New York City. John had offered Vic first right to his clone, knowing he would be unable to complete his dream.
Both Vic and Mark were in fact impressed with John’s project, and within a few months of picking up the truck they completed the metal work, had it in plastic filler, primed, and mocked up with trim to make their appearance with their project this past September at Lead East in Parsippany, NJ.
An added bonus to the package was that John also had the correct engine for the project. Once they had all the parts and pieces back at Mark’s shop in Howell, NJ they were in awe of what John had done with the specs of the truck.
Vic and John met again a few weeks later in New York and over dinner
sat pouring over hundreds of pictures of the Kopper Kart. Vic knew that this would be a good friendship. Since Vic’s return from New York he has remained in contact with John while continuing the project.
From what John had started and Mark’s abilities, Vic felt confident that they could pull thisproject off in 18 months and make it to Detroit’s Autorama.
In 2007 Vic and Mark traveled to Detroit to test the waters concerning the truck. The project was met with enthusiasm and given a spot on the floor for 2008. As time grew close other friends stepped in to help, such as Vic’s friend Daran Rumbaugh, who has set aside a project of his own to lend a hand with this project. Vic’s brother Ed stays close by helping and watching his brother’s life long passion come closer to reality.
In the real world Vic Collins has made himself a name building 1/24 scale models of custom cars for Revel. He is now about to make himself a name in the “World of Full Size Kustoms”, along with his very dedicated and talented friends...
Mark Wojcik, Ron Blaufeder, Daran Rumbaugh, John Maurice and his brother Ed, all of whom have spent uncountable hours in the garage burning the midnight oil.
Continues...
