For awhile, the project wasn't going as fast as Andreas Jr would have liked, but they could only do as much as they could afford. Sometimes they weren't able to work on the Vette for a couple weeks at a time. Ken and Ben were very patient with father and son and leaned over backwards to assist with the restoration. Father and son had to pay for all the parts and outside repairwork. Engine and transmission overhauling doesn't come cheap. Reupholstery work would have to come last. Ken suggested that Jr take a course in HS, which he did, and was able to do most of that work. His instructor even assisted with some of the more difficult work. They decided they would do as much body work as they could, stripping off the old, chipped paint, puttying bad spots and apply the primar. Ken had learned many tricks about body work from restoring his own Vette. But they would let a professional apply the finish. Over the course of the restoration, the four guys bonded and became the best of friends. Ken worked up a weight lifting routine for Jr. He was able to use it at the school gym just as Ken had figured. Jr was starting to show the effects of the training too, getting the start of a pretty nice build. Jr couldn't help but smile when some of the girls at school would do a little double take when he walked by. Some of his friends got jealous until he showed them his lifting routine. They started training with him and began to see positive results as well. Andreas Sr worked hard at his job, putting in overtime whenever he could and was able to bring home some extra cash for the project. He had been with the company four years and hadn't seen much in the way of promotions. But then, the company landed a new account and were swamped with orders. Sr got a promotion and a nice raise. Only trouble was it meant more overtime at the shop! He wasn't able to work on the Vette as much as he would have liked. But Ken and Jr kept working on it and were making some pretty good progress. About six months into the project, Sr and Jr were still working on the Vette's body, and visiting with Ben, when Ken drove into the barn. He had borrowed Ben's El Camino to go pick up the engine. They had decided to get it overhauled professionally since this was going to be the heart of the car. Ken knew the people at the engine shop and felt confident in their talents. When they finished working on these types of engines, they always broke them in at the shop before returning them to the client. This made for a lot less trouble down the road. As Ken got out of the El Camino, he couldn't help but admire the engine. 'This engine turned out beautifully. I'm actaully jealous of you guys. It will probably outperform my Vette when we're finished! Once you can afford the transmission overhaul, we will be over the hump on this project.' There was much discussion around the dinner table that night as they all pitched in and helped prepare it in Ben's kitchen. Ben had gotten used to having the eveining meal together. He really enjoyed the visiting that went on over a well prepared, shared meal. He was really going to miss these times. 'Don't worry, Ben! We can't go without at least one of these meals a month. Who knows? Maybe we will find another car to restore?' said Andreas Sr. He had gotten quite hooked on the restoration project and was really itching to see how it would turn out. With a few more weeks work, he should be able to afford most of the rest of the expenses. 'See you all next week then!', said Ben, as everyone filed out of the kitchen into the dark. It had been another wonderfully productive day. Thank you for taking a peek! Your support is greatly appreciated! Andreas character morphs, both adult and youth versions, free, from Leije, here at 'osity! Thank you, Leije, again, for your kind generosity in sharing these fine character morphs!