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Hey guys, Chad here from Midlife Classic Cars. It’s been a minute since I’ve worked on the Legend Car, and honestly, it wasn’t by choice. Between wrecking at Old Dominion and dealing with multiple break-ins at my shop, my motivation took a serious hit. Losing my camera gear to theft only made it harder to get back into making videos.
But after stepping away for a bit, I knew I had to get back to work. The car wasn’t going to fix itself, and the longer I let it sit, the harder it would be to return. So, it’s time to get the bumper fixed, fluids checked, and start prepping for a test day.
Unfortunately, my shop has been broken into twice in the past few months. Greensboro Police have been great, but it’s frustrating because the same person keeps coming back. The damage has been significant—both door handles were destroyed, and I had to weld a bar in place just to keep things somewhat secure.
What’s even crazier is how they got in—they squeezed through a tiny hole after wedging a book holder in the sink area to create enough space. I mean, that level of effort is insane. The theft not only caused damage but also took away valuable time and resources that could’ve been spent on the race car.
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After the wreck at Old Dominion, the rear bumper took a serious hit. It was bent out of shape, and a section of the tubing was completely kinked. The challenge was figuring out how to bend it back properly.
I quickly realized I wasn’t strong enough to bend the metal back by hand. Ideally, I’d have had floor-mounted braces and ratchet straps to hold everything in place while pulling the bumper back into shape. But since my shop setup isn’t permanent, I didn’t want to drill into the floor.
So, I came up with a “redneck engineering” solution:
Surprisingly, it worked! The bumper straightened out well, and I even overcompensated a little, knowing that welding would cause some flex. This kind of improvisation proves that if something is stupid but works, it’s not stupid.
Once the bumper was back in place, the next step was welding. While I wouldn’t call myself a professional welder, I’ve learned enough to handle basic repairs. If you’re into cars, learning to weld is one of the best skills you can pick up. It saves money, time, and lets you fix things instead of replacing them.
For those interested, Midlife Classic Cars has plenty of books on welding, car restoration, and race prep. A cheap Lincoln welder is a great starting point for anyone looking to develop these skills.
The end result? Not perfect, but functional. And that’s what matters most—getting the car ready to race again.
Now that the bumper is fixed, the next steps involve:
✔ Checking Fluids – Making sure everything is topped off and in good shape.
✔ Nut & Bolt Inspection – Ensuring nothing is loose or damaged.
✔ Scheduling a Test Day – Finally getting back on the track.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—racing is expensive, but working on your own car helps cut costs. If I had taken this to a shop, I’d be looking at a hefty repair bill. Instead, a little creativity and hands-on work got it done for almost nothing.
I appreciate everyone sticking around through these ups and downs. Between theft, wrecks, and business struggles, it’s been a tough stretch, but I’m excited to get back to racing.
If you’re looking for automotive books—whether it’s welding guides, restoration manuals, or racing history—check out Midlife Classic Cars.
And if you have any better ideas for fixing a bent bumper, let me know in the comments. Otherwise, I’ll keep doing it my way—because if it works, it’s not stupid!
Like and subscribe if you enjoy these videos, and I’ll see you in the next one!
Legend Cars are small, high-performance race cars designed to be affordable and competitive. They’re popular in short-track racing because they offer great speed and handling while keeping costs lower than other racing series.
Start by researching local tracks that host Legend Car races. You’ll need to buy or rent a car, get the proper safety gear, and consider taking a racing class to learn the basics before hitting the track.
Basic tools include a welder, impact wrench, jack stands, and ratchet straps for makeshift repairs. Keeping spare parts like bumpers and fluids on hand is also a good idea.
A DIY method involves using ratchet straps and a secure anchor point (like a truck or pole) to slowly pull the metal back into place. This keeps costs low while still getting the job done.
Yes, welding is an essential skill for race car maintenance. It allows you to repair parts instead of replacing them, which saves money and keeps you on the track longer.
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