Hey guys, Well as the title states, I know of two guys in my town, who do some pretty good mechanic and body work at there business. They have been building a work shop at there home, and they are almost ready.

I was talking to them and I was told that they would do the back half of my car for about $1,500.00. in labor only. Price does not include parts of course.

Labor consist of the two full Quarters, trunk pan and lid, Inner and outer wheel wells, tail light panel, and valence. the braces from deck to wheel wells.

They will tach weld all parts, grind all welds, seam fill, and prime sections that are grinded.

I need to take out the interior, and they will work on my car at the work shop on the side, estimated maybe about 1 month with the car.

* They are good guys and I trust them so having the car for a month is no biggie for me*

What do you think of the price? and what else should I be asking as far as the work? Thanks in advance.

If you trust them I think you should take the car there immediatly. Bring them beer and cheeseburgers every night.

Hey Tom, Thanks Yes I do, They need to get the garage/shop finished hopefully by October/November and My ride will be in, Oh Yes Good Guys, I have done business with them in the past Mechanical STuff.

For that price I would have brought a few of my vehicles to them!

Sounds like they are the guy's you want to go to for sure...

Steve that is a great price!Where in NJ are they?

Sounds like they are the guy's you want to go to for sure...

Thanks Buck, I am definitely going with them. I will post pictures when the project begins hopefully by November. I will work some Overtime and save some cash for the sheet metal till then.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Are they as good at doing sheetmetal work as they are at mechanics? You want to make sure this is done properly since it is part of the structural integrity of the car. 2 totally different worlds. If so, that is a great price for that kind of work to be performed.

Hey Tom, I saw a camaro that was done at the shop and the owner is happy with it, I can get pictures of that job during the week if anyone is curious to see them. The one mechanic has a Really nice looking nova and they did that car if I am not mistaken.

Steve that is a great price!Where in NJ are they?

They are located in East Brunswick, however the work is going to be done at the home where they are building a (work shop/garage) for other projects they have.

There have been FAR to many posts on these forums about bad deals...

You need to be VERY careful.

I Understand SHane, Thanks for the word of caution. I will ask the question's you guys think I should ask and post the feedback. We will then see what happens in November when the work begins.

Steve if you search OR perhaps some members could post here the headaches they had...

There was one thread here where the car owner took his car to a garage that was having a bad year...cost him more in the long run...

I suggest checking often and keeping the bill under control.

Keep an eye out for the ole..."need more money","underestimated the job"...

Cool shane thanks again

Cool shane thanks again



Maybe you have gotten lucky and hit these guys at the right time but that is dirt cheap. Hurry up and get it done before they go Bankrupt. But seriously, I know of someone local to me that is one heck of a fabricator and his prices are definitely not in line with his ability. I have seen his work and you would swear this guy uses a tig but he migs. So there are people out there like this. If it were me and they did what you asked I would pony up some extra money and be proactive with them. As for questions, ask for names of owners who have cars that run at the track. This may not be your ending quest for getting this done but a working, repeatable car is a good indicator that they have an idea of what they are doing. Just keep in mind that we are not talking about a good quality fender repair. This is your safety.

work on it in there spare time? my brother done that on a 64 SS. the guy kept it 3 years and it cost him more in the long run than if he would have required it in 2 weeks. ever time he asked about the car , the bodyshop needed more money ! he gave up and went and got his car,all his new trim and badges couldnt be found. halfa$$ job also.

If you trust them then bring it to them. The price sounds great. But I'd want something that gives me a firm completion date. If they are as good as you say their business will grow and they never get to the "Fill in" work.

Just let them know that there are a bunch of guys on the chevelle board waiting to see how your car turns out so they can bring their cars to them too. I know I'll be looking for a body shop in the spring so I'm really interested in the quality of their work at that great price.

Another thing to thing about... I had bought sheetmetal ahead of time that I brought to a shop a few years back. The guys at the shop told me that the panels were no good and that they couldn't guarantee they could get all the waves out (I didn't see any but I'm no pro). Rather than take the chance I let them order new panels that they would work with and I sold my panels.

My point being, make sure they don't have any issues with the parts you bring them or they could use that as an excuse for less than perfect work.

If anyone is in the South Jersey area I have a shop that I took 67 GTO to and the work was concourse quality.
WWW.twistedmetalautorestoration.com. He is in the process of getting his web site set up but will have high resolution web cams so you can log on and see your car being done.

... but will have high resolution web cams so you can log on and see your car being done.

That's a great idea, if they keep the lenses clean!!
Body shops get dirty fast!

Dan

Just let them know that there are a bunch of guys on the chevelle board waiting to see how your car turns out so they can bring their cars to them too. I know I'll be looking for a body shop in the spring so I'm really interested in the quality of their work at that great price.

Another thing to thing about... I had bought sheetmetal ahead of time that I brought to a shop a few years back. The guys at the shop told me that the panels were no good and that they couldn't guarantee they could get all the waves out (I didn't see any but I'm no pro). Rather than take the chance I let them order new panels that they would work with and I sold my panels.

My point being, make sure they don't have any issues with the parts you bring them or they could use that as an excuse for less than perfect work.

I will be posting pictures when the project begins, just a reminder for the price they are only putting up the sheet metal, as far as the actual body work, and paint, that will be handled by another shop.

Only suggestion I would have is, go there with your car and 750.00 cash in hand.. Tell them that you'll give them the rest at completion. It sounds as if they are going to try to make some side money in this economy, and if they are good at it, the 1500 may seem cheap to you, but is nearly a mortgage payment for some simple after hours work that will cost them a few evening hours a week.

Best of luck!

Thanks Normie

Wow thats great! I hope everything works out. I wonder if there is anyone like this in N.E. PA?

Maybe you used the wrong word. Tac weld the panels. If that where the case i wouldnt take it there. They need to button weld each piece.Tacing it wont work/look vary good.A button weld looks like the factory spot weld when done right.By the list of items you are having them replace thats alot of button welds..drilling to remove the old panels,punching the holes in the new panels for the button welds,welding the buttons,grinding them,preping,sealing then priming.Thats hundereds of small welds.Hope they know enough to add supports when they remove the panels because stuff will move and if its not in the correct place when they install the new panels they are going to have problems lining everything up for a good fit.
Its your car, but i would need more info before i took mine there.
sounds to cheep to replace that much metal in the correct way.
2000 for both quarter panels done right around here.
I would also like to add that they may know what they are doing and do good work but the words tac weld shouldnt be in the same sentence as replacing quarter panels,tail panel,inner fenders, ect...

Maybe you used the wrong word. Tac weld the panels. If that where the case i wouldnt take it there. They need to button weld each piece.Tacing it wont work/look vary good.A button weld looks like the factory spot weld when done right.By the list of items you are having them replace thats alot of button welds..drilling to remove the old panels,punching the holes in the new panels for the button welds,welding the buttons,grinding them,preping,sealing then priming.Thats hundereds of small welds.Hope they know enough to add supports when they remove the panels because stuff will move and if its not in the correct place when they install the new panels they are going to have problems lining everything up for a good fit.
Its your car, but i would need more info before i took mine there.
sounds to cheep to replace that much metal in the correct way.
2000 for both quarter panels done right around here.
I would also like to add that they may know what they are doing and do good work but the words tac weld shouldnt be in the same sentence as replacing quarter panels,tail panel,inner fenders, ect...

Thanks for the Info Brian, I am in no way a body guy, so I may have used the wrong word. They are going to provide me with pictures of prior work and I will post them for you (Team Chevelle) to Critic, I will get the correct wording on the type of welding. Thanks again.

Only suggestion I would have is, go there with your car and 750.00 cash in hand.. Tell them that you'll give them the rest at completion. It sounds as if they are going to try to make some side money in this economy, and if they are good at it, the 1500 may seem cheap to you, but is nearly a mortgage payment for some simple after hours work that will cost them a few evening hours a week.

Best of luck!

I agree with this 100%, $1500 is a great price for all that work almost a favor and I'm sure there are a lot of body shop horror stories to make a long story short I paid a friend who needed the business $3500 for basically the same amount of work to my GTO the car was all original untouched 1st photo is the day I brought it to him the second photo is almost two years later and all I got for my cash so be careful and have all in writing

and it pisses you off when you find out later, the guy at the shop sold your velle parts at a great price to others! then you inquire low and behold they are your parts ! there are 10 bad shops for every good one. be cautious !

Hi Steve, can you contact me about your post. I live next to East Brunswick and would like to know more about those body guys. FPietropol@aol.com..........Thanks Frank

1972 Chevelle SS 402 4 SPD
1979 Malibu Classic 355 Turbo 400 12 Bolt
1987 Buick Turbo -T WE-4

A fellow in my area works in a professional body shop but does body/paint work on the side. He is good ... real good (and reasonable). He just got done matching paint on my BIL's '65 Bu (artesian turquiose). He did a crackerjack job (coudn't be better). So much so that my nephew is getting his '67 Camaro RS/SS touched up by him. He has worked on several of my cars in the past. So if you need a good bodyguy in this area I can hook you up.:thumbsup:

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc309/MalibuSeaS/3stooges.jpg

Frank

A fellow in my area works in a professional body shop but does body/paint work on the side. He is good ... real good (and reasonable). He just got done matching paint on my BIL's '65 Bu (artesian turquiose). He did a crackerjack job (coudn't be better). So much so that my nephew is getting his '67 Camaro RS/SS touched up by him. He has worked on several of my cars in the past. So if you need a good bodyguy in this area I can hook you up.:thumbsup:

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc309/MalibuSeaS/3stooges.jpg

Frank

Hey Frank, thanks I will keep you in mind, when it comes time to do the actual body work. My guys are justing putting the metal up for me.

Sorry I did not make it to your place this summer.

Wow thats great! I hope everything works out. I wonder if there is anyone like this in N.E. PA?

We're in NE PA...

Full resto shop.

Dunno if we'll take the job with the schedule but you could inquire...

... Sorry I did not make it to your place this summer.
Don't even give it a second thought. I'm always there if you need me.

Frank

Don't even give it a second thought. I'm always there if you need me.

Frank

Thanx Frank

We're in NE PA...

Full resto shop.

Dunno if we'll take the job with the schedule but you could inquire...

Where in NEPA are you located? I am looking for someone close to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area to hang sheetmetal on my 69?

Jeff

So where are the progress photos, is everything working out as promised?

Where in NEPA are you located? I am looking for someone close to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area to hang sheetmetal on my 69?

Jeff

Shane's shop is up in Jim Thorpe / Lehighton / PA. They are a great bunch of guys up there,, and I have seen some unreal work performed in there. (every see an authentic Woody resorted??) It looked like it belonged in museum.

So where are the progress photos, is everything working out as promised?

Work wont start until the shop garage/shop is finished. October or november.

You're just a tease! ;)

Waiting is the hardest part!

i had my 72 chevelle rear quarters done for 750
trunk pans 550
took guy 2 days for rear panels
2 days for trunk
his shop is in forked river nj the guys name is john 848-992-0716
its called classic muscle
he did a awsome job on my car and i got it back very fast