I think too that so many shops are unwilling to take on such work is-for
example, how Dave got Nigel-
The guy who previously had Nigel took it in for some work, ran out of money
and Nigel wound up being sold by that shop to cover some of the work done.
(Less than a grand-to Dave). Over the years, I have found this not to be an
uncommon story.
Laura G.
Vita brevis est: rapide agite, vigore strigate!
----- Original Message -----
From: <rtriplett@bjservices.com>
To: <jmcneal@ohms.com>; <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, March 17, 2000 7:55 AM
Subject: Body shop woes
>
> Jeff I can empathise with you on finding a body shop interested in your
car. It
> took me a long time to find someone to do my TR3, but I finally found a
really
> super guy who did the restoration in his home and obviously loved the
work, not
> just for money. It wasn't cheap or fast, but top quality. My Spitfire,
now, I'm
> doing myself completely and learning as I go. You can bet if I can do it,
> anyone can! The reason most shops won't touch an old car is that they
know once
> they get into it, they will find more damage/rust than is seen on the
surface.
> Plus the parts situation, they don't know how easy it is to find body
parts for
> Spitfires. So, here are a few ideas:
> 1. Ask around and see if someone does restoration as a hobby on a part
time
> basis. Get recommendations first before trusting the job to a "shade
tree" guy,
> however. Be prepared to leave the car a LONG time as most of these guys
work
> slow. But, you can check up on it often and see how well the guy is doing
on
> it.
> 2. Check into trade schools or colleges who offer body shop courses, maybe
they
> would take on the job. Again, be prepared to wait a long time, but the
cost
> will be reasonable. And usually very good!
> 3. Better yet, why not take a body shop course at local community college?
Do
> it yourself.
> 4. As a last resort, you may consider taking it across the border into
Mexico
> and having a "good" shop there do it. Be very careful however as there
are a
> bunch of rip-off artists there who will do a lousy job. I have had
upholstery
> jobs done over in Juarez years ago and these people do super work if you
find a
> good one! I wouldn't take one there now with all the political problems
they're
> having.
> Good luck, and remember if you do the job yourself there are really
> knowledgeable people here to help if you get stuck.
> Richard
>
>
>
>
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