I took my 76' vette there in a few pieces (but driveable) asked for some under body restoration and progress pics and gave the amount of money I was willing to pay (well over the value of the car) and no time restraint on return date. After a few calls throughout and a visit to choose paint color I was getting excited.
I got the car back and heard all they had done, stripped the interior fixed some wiring issues (nice) removed a hidden kill switch without asking or telling (not nice) added some heat and sound insulation (nice) replace almost the entire interior (ok but not supposed to be primary goal) didn't keep old parts such as odometer (mileage) instead of fixing/replacing a heat warped piece they drilled a bolt through it with a washer (completely visible) drilled through floor paneling for placement of temporary buttons to set clock in center console (everytime I step on the gas I change the time) swapped the three point retractable seatbelts with non-retractable lap belts (un-cool less-safe). They saved/salvaged/dyed some pieces to cut cost (understandable) . Then the paint! Paint problems that is, within a month the hood began to boil (no-driving garage-kept) called and confronted, claimed fiberglass must be dirty (its their job to clean prep prime and paint I thought) agreed I buy new hood ($800) and they'll repaint ($0) upon first wax I notice front right lower side of car never got finished (metallic flake or clear coat) that about brought me to tears of rage, and lets talk over-spray, my spare tire holder is now shades of blue, my gas cap and tank are random shades of blue, parts of chassis too. Plus there is a very obvious hand print under the paint on the new hood, never got the old one back, wasn't asked, and there are specks of dust/hair/debris all over.
Oh and I remember being told about fender damage causing left wheel well to be lower than the right after the fact and how that took a fair portion of the budget, I never saw/noticed it (had car for 6 years at this point)
The car was returned driveable but it felt like I was not treated as a high value customer who paid cash up front. I know the paint is going to get scratched when I try to do all the things I paid to have done, which is ok because it needs new paint anyway. read more