So my newly found project needs alot of work and I guess the first place to start is the bodywork. I've been getting estimates from local body guys that do restorations part-time. The car needs quarters which may lead to outers, fender patches, I'll buy new door shells, trunk pan could use replaced i guess, and that's about it. The rest is pretty solid and dent free. i've been getting estimates from 6 months to a year to complete the work and paint. I'd be willing to pay a bit more for a quicker turn around time, but I can't seem to find anyone to the work.

Does six months-year sound right?

I've had a couple body guys say that it should take about 20hrs to complete a quarter install. Does that sound right?

I could use some advice?

thanks
CC

I'm new to body work but my buddy is really good(and fast) at it. He recently put full floors, trunk, full quarters and patched the outer wheelhouses in about a week. This was for a 70'.

I am willing to ship my car 3 or 4 hundred miles if necessary. I'm near Erie, PA. If any good body guy needs some work.

All phases of restoration, and just moved to a new facility bigger and better to serve all your needs.

Hey Tom, do you mind if I stop by your shop? I am always in the WP area and would love to see your cars. Me, I'm doing a 70 SS rust bucket aggravation extroadinaire over.

thanks

Roland in NY

My body guy is in Smithfeild, RI and he took 2 1/2 weeks to do 1 piece floor pan, 1 piece trunk floor, quarters, extensions, wheelhouse, window to trunk and tail light panel, body mounts, patch a cowl hood, patches in the frame at the body mounts and primer.

If you want to go all the way to RI then Ground Up is close by so you can pick up parts without paying shipping.

His site is http://www.tomlaferriere.com/ If you look under "restoration" it has pictures of my car. My car cost around $4500 for labor. He does it one car at a time so when your in, his focus is all on your car. Everything was done factory style. All the spot welds were drilled out and went back in place exactly where the factory put them. He even put the VIN # in the quarters.

I cannot say enough about Tom's work, and his price. I have a lot to say and would love to talk to you on the phone or email. It sounds like your project is exactly like mine. Please personal message me with phone or email, I have so much to tell you...

Hey chris,
finding a body guy can be a real challenge. I live across the state from you and found a guy that is working in my time frame. I gave him my car in late Oct I hope to have it back in March. PM me if your interested I will give you his #

Faster is not always better, there are alot of short cuts that they could take without you knowing, I know you dont want you car in the body shop for years sitting in the corner. 6 months isnt bad.

I absolutely agree that faster is not necessarily better. I do think, however, that some could go faster if they didn't work on more cars at one time than they are capable, and if they had more time to work on them. i.e. if they weren't part-time.

I guess I'm just looking for someone that would work on it a little more than 5-10 hours a week or every other week. I think that's reasonable.

I just got my 72 back yesterday. It was in the shop for 6 months. The guy originally said 3 months but turned into 6 due to the fact mine needed more than we thought and he was also taking other easier cars in during this time. 6 months in fla seems to be the average for good work.

I had a shop tell me 4-6 months and my car only needs a paint job and some minor interior to work. No frame off restoration at all.

My car is too new to me to give up for that long. And it doesn't look that bad to start with.

I would have expected 4-6 WEEKS for a simple paint job.

I had a shop tell me 4-6 months and my car only needs a paint job and some minor interior to work. No frame off restoration at all.

My car is too new to me to give up for that long. And it doesn't look that bad to start with.

I would have expected 4-6 WEEKS for a simple paint job.


Here's the problem...what looks good to you probably won't look so good once the paint comes off. I don't care how good of shape you think your car is in there will be hidden surprises. You will probably have a hard time finding someone to paint it and stick by there work. Could someone just throw some paint on it, sure...but what happens when the paint starts bubbling down the road would you be mad? The fact is good work takes time.

Forever young: I just moved into a new facility much larger. I have an Accudraft heated downdraft spray booth, Accudraft downdraft prep deck, 2 Caroliner frame machines for the full chassis and Chrysler unibodies. I need to correct my web site with my new address and info. I moved to New Rochelle 914-633-6524. I wll be having an Open House in late January or February for my club LI Chevelles as well as my customers and open to any one else that would like to see my shop, I will have food and beverages, RSVP by e-mail for anyone that would like to attend or call my shop, Thanks.

Have you talked to Micky Hale in Ashtabula? They do GREAT body and paint work in his shop. 440-998-1968.

http://www.haleperformance.com/

We are pretty close. Come check out the cars in the shop. We can move them out pretty quick for just paint and body.