Projects Past and Present

This Page is designed to show my versatility, craftsmanship and  pride that I take in my work.  I work in any form of material from metal to leather, if it can be imagined, I can build it.

First Projects

"Lorraine" My First Custom Car - 1991 Chevy S-10 Blazer

Hand made Rollpan, Frenched License Plate

In High School I was involved in everything. Student Council, Football, Track and Field, played Drums and Guitar and Bass in a few bands, my passion was and still is working on cars.  I bought my first car, a 1991 Chevy Blazer.  The motor smoked, had a knock, the brakes squealed and were soft, it was in a hurricane at some point in its life so needed body work.  I rebuilt the 4.3L V6 motor, bored it .030 over, performance cam, K&N Filter, Throttle body spacer.  Hand Formed a Rollpan by first forming a 2X6 piece of wood into the shape I wanted, then formed my metal around that, then welded in it.  I Built a License plate box into the tailgate, Body worked, and painted it all in my parent's garage.

I also rebuilt the brakes, and front end.  Dropped it 4" and C-notched the rear, and dropped the front 5" with 3" coil Springs, and 2" Spindles. Wheels are from a 1999 Corvette with 2" Spacers all around.

Spirit Car, and Lorraine

Loveland High School Spirit Car - 1985 Chevy Celebrity Eaurosport Wagon
Hand built the Hood Scoop, shaved the door moldings, body work and Paint.

Ames Flames Cast Aluminum Chevy Bowtie

The Loveland High School Spirit Car was given to me by a senior who was graduating my sophomore year.  It ran horribly, and was dented up pretty bad.  I rebuilt carb, and tuned the motor.  A few buddies and I chopped the roof from the A pillars the the C pillars.  I used an S-10 hood, and formed the Cowl induction hood.  I worked with a local dealership and was able to get the paint supplies donated and after the body work, I painted the car black, then masked out the Tribal Flames, then painted the car a custom mixed that I came up with.  I named the color Lipschtick!

   I made the Cast Aluminum Chevy Bowtie in shop class using the school's foundry. I used one of my S-10 bowties, then cut layered masking tape to create the raised artwork. After leaving Loveland for College, I put a friend in charge of selling the car for me, he parked it, forgot about it, it got towed, and now it's likely a cube somewhere...  

The Chopper

This bike was found on clearance at "Wednesday Morning" a boutique decor type place.  It was fun to ride around, but looked too much like a kids bike, so I had to do something about that.

Before I did too much.  The plan was just to paint it Flat Black in 2007

These were the Plans in 2008, simple chop and stretch....

I dug a hole in the crawlspace of our apartment so that I could have a shop to work in.

Underground shop!

I started cutting and things got more and more elaborate in 2009

I found some junk bikes, and cut them up to Frankenstein into the chopper.

This piece of engineering did not make it onto the final bike. It worked fine, but I decided to simplify things and move the motor over an inch to the left, which gave more clearance for the exhaust.  Sad, it looked really cool

Countless hours of thought, engineering and fabrication went into making this thing a reality



Years later in 2012

Functional Bullet Valve Covers

                          

Hand formed springer seat, covered in 100% Genuine Leather.

Original, Handmade, Functional

This project was for myself.  I started it in 2007 by stripping the paint, and ended it in 2012 after a complete customization took place.  This Bike is one of a kind, and it is not for sale.

1967 C10 SWB Stepside - "Squeaky Dean"

One Day..Maybe

Rolling chassis from California

I installed a rebuilt SB 350ci Fuel Injected TBI Motor, and a Rebuilt 700r4 from a Corvette.

I cleaned and painted the frame and front suspension, and engine bay, rebuilt the Brake booster, added brake lines, power steering, power brakes, Tilt column, Automatic Trans and new motor.

Sadly, I decided to sell Squeaky Dean for another project I fell in love with, my 1950 Fleetline.  'Ol Squeak is in good hands with a friend in Salt Lake.

New Project Blazer.....?

I sold Lorraine to fund this newer '94 Blazer "Loretta."  I bought this one for $250,  replaced the fuel injectors, and did a tune up, then drove it from nearly 300 miles home!

7/18/12 towing my Blazer through the Malad Pass (Idaho) the trailer suddenly fishtailed out of control ramming everything into the guardrail, everything rolled, and everything was totaled, I crawled out of the truck with a scratch on my ankle.

I probably shouldn't be alive today, but God must need me here a little longer.

So my 1994 Blazer was driven for a few years then totaled in a crazy accident after the transmission started to slip coming home from a car show in Logan, UT.  I'm just thankful I made it

Current Project: 1950 Chevy Fleetline Deluxe - "Flo"

My Beautiful Wife and I with Flo

Current Condition - By Sam Ames

1950 Fleetline Blueprint - by Sam Ames

The Future Flo - Tail Dragger - by Sam Ames

My plans for this car will develop over time.  So far I have revived the original 216 ci inline 6 motor, and enjoyed cruising around town.  I have started on the rust repair, and plan to lower the car 3" front, and 4" rear with wide whites. In the distant future the Orange car is the goal.  I want to keep it retro with a 235 ci full pressure motor, Fenton Headers, and tri-carb intake, dual cherry bombs, and air ride suspension.

Current Project 2: 2000 Chevy Blazer 2dr 2wd

100% Stock

After the Drop.  5" front- Springs, spindles.  4" Rear- blocks for now

If I do something, I do it right, and make it look good!  While rebuilding the front suspension on my 2000 Blazer, I cleaned and coated everything for a show quality finish. 

Future Goal for my 2000 Blazer: P10 Warhawk

This is my daily driver, and company car.  I use it to haul my artwork/booth for car shows.  The future of this Blazer is a lofty dream, but will be one cool looking custom when I can pull it off!

Craftsmanship.

The Most Valuable Skill to Possess

Over the years, I have not been able to consider myself a true "artist," I see what I do as manufacturing ideas.  I have been blessed with a creative mind, and an ability to create what is in my mind no matter the medium in which I am using to create the idea.  Craftsmanship is a key trait many people seem to lack when it comes to creating, I see craftsmanship as the paramount trait in my life.  Take this drawing I did for example, I sketched an idea out, then I sculpted it in clay, then I used a 3D program called Maya to model my design even further.  If I wanted to I could produce a working scale model of this car, but the hope is to one day build it full size in my shop. I spent countless hours on each aspect of this car imaginary car I designed, it might seem obsessive...because it is obsessive.  But I feel it is something worth obsessing over. 

Shovel Rod Sketch

"The Shovel Rod" - Terra Cotta

Blown up 3D Model - Maya 3D

Shovel Rod 3D Model

Shovel Rod Rear View 3D Model

The Graham Mansion 2007

Yes a three story Graham Cracker house, with a two car garage

Backside.  Note the hot tub on the 3rd level deck

Each room complete with a bed. There were also bathrooms, and kitchen, living rooms and couches.

What high end Graham Cracker house would be complete without candy stained glass windows and lighting?

Precision and quality, and detail are what I focus on when I work on anything and everything! Call me a geek, but building this Graham Cracker house is one my favorite projects.  It took all of Christmas break, but I did what it took to win the Graham Cracker House competition!

Tile Work 2008

I worked construction for a few years while in school, I earned the name, "The Tile Guy." This was one of my most extensive bathrooms to tile.  There is no room for variation in the gaps between tiles, every grout line is exactly 3/8" thick.  

I built a trap door (Lower right)into this tub to access the plumbing if ever needed.

diamond style tile work is the most challenging, especially when there's multiple angles and plane changes.

If these projects I've completed over the years does not show my skills and abilities then I don't know what else would! I am not a cocky person, but I do take pride in my craftsmanship and design work, so forgive me if I've portrayed myself as such.  The bottom line is I work hard at what I do, and I don't cut corners (unless the corners need to be cut off.)  I believe that if a job is worth doing, it's worth doing it right!

Thank you for taking the time to look at the last few years of stuff of I built.  I hope you found it to be inspiring, ridiculous, and amusing! Feel free to contact me personally with any questions or comments you might have.  

                   Sam Ames

     AmesFlames21@yahoo.com