Unfortunately, I must say that one reason for the delay is the U.S. Postal Service. A total of three prototype bodies were produced and in our hands about two weeks ago. We rushed them to Kolors By Kropy, and shipped last Friday via Express Mail to Hot Rod Hobbies so they could be mounted to Brian & Jeremy's trucks to check fit and get publicity photos.
The post office blew it. Delivery was promised by 3PM Saturday at the Reedy Race, with lots of magazine coverage, but the package didn't leave Detroit until Sunday night. I just got it back yesterday.
But I don't have a truck! (Very limited number of production prototype chassies.) So I'm taking some photos today off the truck, and am sending the bodies to Paul for test fitting and on-truck photos.
The point is that we've lost more than a week on this item alone. Still haven't test-fitted the bodies to tell the supplier just where to put the dimples for the mounts, determine the cut lines, and see if everything fits correctly. So most likely another 5 days or so before we even can tell them to do the finish work on the tool and make the first run of bodies, and that will take at least 10 days.
The good news is that everything so far is going great. Parts are fitting well, the truck goes together well, and we're close to giving an opening set-up. Chris Krieg (Speedy Dad) has written the first draft of the instruction manual and taken many photos, so I should be able to put that together while caring for my wife.
We are making progress, and this will be done. Soon. Really.
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