[BenStang09]

Thanks for all the feed back.. I didnt think this would be such a popular topic. I guess I will be taking it back to him and see if he can make it right. Probaby wont happen for a couple of days.

[Exoeagle]

I went to a car show in Clifton VA a couple weekends back. there was a guy from springfield Motorsports there. Apparently they deal mostly in Ford products, especially mustangs and lightenings. Springfield Motorsport, Virginia's Premier Mustang & Hemi Performance Center is their addy. Check them out, they had a fantastic show piece. When I get mine, I'm probably going to utilize them when I need to.

[4 stvmcqn]

I think the reason this post is so popular probably stems from the fact that many of us have had or are going through a similar ordeal.

I'm currently going through "body shop frustration" as well. My 6 week turnaround promise is now going on to 7 months and counting. I finally couldn't take the slow down in progress any more and asked for a true completion date (3 weeks).

In my case the slowdown can be attributed to the business partnership (painter is a flake and bodyman is cleaning up the mess). The bodyman now has a shop full of complete paint job projects and no painter ......best part is.... he can't afford to hire anyone now.

I think they grabbed deposits from everyone and don't have much to show for it in terms of progress. I really want my car done soon because I can already see the writing on the wall.

[BenStang09]

I got my car back from the botched restoration project at Artisan Auto Body in Manassas Park Va.

The car had lots of problems after I got it back the first time, and against my judgement I took it back to them for a free fix up of all the issues.

I made a list of items and had the owner sign it saying it would be free and done in a week.
I couldnt believe it, but he fixed almost everything on the list. They missed a couple points, but the car looks 95% better. The minor flaws should come out with more buffing on my part.

Whatever you do if you have a full restoration job dont take it to them. If you have high blood pressure, or a heart condition definately dont, because they will cause you to have a heart attack with all the failed delivery dates, poor attention to detail and general sloppyness.

[Little Mule]

There is a real good quality mustang spot in Salem, VA. My uncle ALWAYS took his 66 there and only there. It looked great and they are real upfront and honest.

[RF Mustang]

I dotn want to just drag this thread on or sound like a broken record but this is a clear example fo when you are going to spend money like this, get referances. several of them. and recent ones at that. Not some that were done 8 years ago. This is really typical for this type of work in terms of things dragging out.

Its hard to get a frim price on a restoration project becuase they just dont know what they will run into. however, you make it clear from the start. You pay only for work thats been authorized, been completed and ready for the next stage. Nothing more.

Its hard for anyone to make a living doing restorations. I dont know about you guys but I would quite my job today if i though I could pay my bills and make a little extra money doing restorations. I absolutley love it.

And like what was said before, a body shop is not a restoration shop.

Most of these guys (not all) bill you for what they need in order to make payroll or pay bills. I've seen the system work I have an aquaintence (kind of) who does old cars for a living. Its funny how his billable hours vary each week and usually get much higher towards the end of the month. When they are slow, they will promise you the world to get you to let them do your project. When they are busy, its a matter of who is paying the most or bitchin the loudest.

Just my $.02