Hi, Thanks for that information. I was actually trying to ask HUGGER where he was located, but evidently did not get the right address. Cheers, Richard
If "hugger" was closer he would have scheduled my GS by now! There are some honest body shops out there but like "U Tube" you need to be with It! It's a shame there are not more body shops catering to our cars. It takes experience and a real explanation and honest approach of the process not just a " low ball" figure to get you in and then bury you in the repairs or hit you with a high figure seeing if you bite! There is where experience comes in, if a body shop tells you insurance work is there bread and butter to keep the lights on and have an interest in doing restoration repairs when things slow up, there being honest! I hope things work out in this local body shop, so far looks good, my upholstery guy said told me he is first class!
He's close enough for me to use him, but as I have said before, a paint job would ruin my "driver" quality car. I would then be worried that he had spent so much time making it perfect and then I am driving it around to Publix and the library every day. Additionally, mine has bubbling on the hood from the A/C oil, and it NEVER comes out of fiberglass, so we would have to source a new hood...just way more than I want to get into at this stage of my life. However, it is nice to know he is there in case I would ever need anything done... Cheers!
I see your post to a point but not completly. I did a frame off restoration on my 68 Corvette and will drive it and enjoy it but limit it to cruises and local car shows, not to the food store or Home Depot! I have the GMC Yucon for that. I will be restoring my 72 GS 455 and driving the wheels off enjoying my late childhood. Life is short, need to enjoy instead in late stages on your death bed saying "I wish I would have......)
Sounds like a good plan! My daily driver is a 2007 Corolla--last year before the "drive by wire" hot mess. Still gets 34 mpg, looks like new inside and out (other than a few small smudges of discolored paint near the door handles) and I constantly get people wanting to buy it thinking it is newer than it is. I wonder why I would spend $30,000 on a new Corolla to get the same gas mileage and lots of electronics I don't need and that will break. (OK, to be fully transparent, I would enjoy having one of those new back-up cameras. I HATE parking lots!). I drive it whenever I need to run to visit my money at Home Depot, etc., and with the rear seat folded down it holds 12 bags of mulch or pretty much anything I need to carry. If I need a pick-up for some reason, I have a neighbor with one, but have not needed it so far. As for the '66, I bought it to DRIVE, and being very old now and having MANY trophies and plaques to dust, I have enjoyed the Buick hobby as much as anyone. I did buy 4 of them new, so was into them long ago and sold my last GS 4 years ago when I got the C-2. It is a pain to work on, but did not need much mechanical. It had original suspension, so I had to have that done as it is not as straightforward as on a GS. We installed a 700r4 and it is a great driver that runs 1500 at 45 MPH, so I drive it as much as I can. Also, I don't actually go out that often--a little old for bars and such--but enjoy driving it when I have to run errands. So, we have different goals. Your '68 is for shows, etc., and I get that, but I'm over all that and just having fun with the car now. I have the Corolla for longer trips, and both cars are paid for, so being retired, that helps! Cheers!
Another BIG issue doing body and paint is it’s FILTHY DIRTY, UNHEALTHY work. You get crap in your eyes, lungs, cuts, burns, body parts smashed. I chuckle when a customer comes to see their car in process, nice slacks or shorts, boat shoes, button down shirt, squeaky clean. Here I am looking like I just crawled out of the dumpster on a 100 degree day.
Mark, this is why I got out of body and paint work back in the 80's. Did it for a few years in school then a few years after school and decided it wasn't for me any longer. I worked for a couple shops that did a lot of restorations, and those were not my favorite jobs...
That and the ones that live by appointments and deadlines,....in their nice AC office then they come in and think we and our work should be as disciplined HAHAHA,....get the **** outta here! I never what the day holds or even the next hour,....something stupid happens in the booth or b4 you get in there and the whole day is shot sometimes,...that's why I don't plan it's pointless something is gonna happen to make you out to be a liar beyond your control,..but of course the customers aren't there to see that ,....one asked "why haven't you made any progress " told him to come in here move when I move and do as I do,...you would piss your pants b4 John Boy and Billy goes off at 10am haha
105° cutting mud on a 3/4 of a bedside with 8 different shapes and lines,.....and people wonder why body guys are pissed 90% of the time
What gets me is the place that pays 10hr to repair I do in 2hrs,...the dent that pays 1.5 is a pain in the ass ha
? Really? This was fine, when you were 10 years old and it was 1970. Actually it wasn't, come to think of it.
