Question 1

How long does it take to complete a project?

Accepted Answer

There’s no direct answer to this question, but unlike what you'll see on TV, restoring a car will certainly take longer than a week.

There are many factors to consider, but here are a few to consider:

• Is your car a popular model, and are there a lot of replacement parts for it?
 • Are the replacement parts of good quality?
 • What make is your car? Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, etc. All cars are built differently; some may take longer to repair than others.
 • Is your car a Convertible, Hardtop, Coupe, or Sedan? Compared to a Hardtop, a Chevrolet Impala convertible has far less surface area that needs to be primed and blocked multiple times. The convertible may also have less roof area, but it will usually have badly damaged floors and more complex braces that need to be fabricated to hold the car together. Consequently, this may require more fabrication or panel replacement that wouldn’t have been needed for a hardtop.
 • When was your car built? Pre-war cars are made with thicker steel; most are actually "overbuilt." Some of these cars may have wood framework inside, which is often rotted and needs to be replaced. After the war, mass production was in full swing, and by the mid-1950s, hand-built cars were almost fully a thing of the past. With factory assembly lines and mass production, some replacement parts are much easier to obtain for these later models.
 • Do you want your restoration to be completely original or have custom features? Custom craftsmanship always takes time, and it becomes difficult to determine how long some projects will take.

Communication at each step of the process is the key to customer satisfaction. Think about taking every little piece off your car, cleaning and detailing each part, painting or polishing each part, then putting each and every part back on the car. It can take a while to do it right.

If the job is rushed and corners are cut, it won't be long before all of your problems are back, and that spot of rust may be worse than before.

If it’s a project you intend to keep, it’s less expensive to do it the right way once than to do it repeatedly.

Question 2

Can you finish a car or project that was started at another shop?

Accepted Answer

Although we prefer to do the project from start to finish, we are willing to finish a project started at another shop on a case by case basis.

However, we can’t warranty the work that has already been done, and we will not just cover mistakes that surface during the restoration process.

Our reputation is that of a shop that will ensure you have the best possible restoration. Therefore, if we find that the car was done incorrectly, we won’t finish the work unless you’re willing to make the repairs needed to do it right.

Just be aware that this may take more time and possibly more money than you originally intended to spend.

Question 3

How much does it cost to restore a muscle car?

Accepted Answer

This is the top question asked!

The brutal truth is that a proper restoration is expensive.

Why does it cost so much?

Sometimes the real damage can be hidden under the surface, so it's really hard to tell what needs to be fixed from a brief look.

For instance, we’ve seen everything, from rockers molded with old newspapers to screws sticking through the body to hold on to the polyester filler.

Some people go to great lengths to hide damage, so you never know what you’ll find.

We understand that you may want to hear a set price to make a budget for your restoration project, and we’ll try to give you a rough estimate of the repairs, but everything will be based on what we see at that point.

The restoration of any vehicle is a lengthy and expensive process. For example, average frame-off restorations is 1,000+ hours lasting from 1-3 years, depending on the complexity of the restoration.

We want to work with you to ensure you understand the commitment it takes to complete a restoration project in both time and money.

Question 4

Can you paint over an existing paint job?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we can paint over an existing paint job - but we won't.

Why?

We strive to achieve a show-quality paint job that will look good and last for years to come. Therefore, every vehicle that comes in is stripped of all paint to ensure we have the full view of any and all damage.

Too often, we've stripped a car and found areas that would have turned into horrible problems later on.

Question 5

What can I do myself to save on costs during a car restoration project?

Accepted Answer

If you feel that there are things you would like to do, we understand, and we’ll work with you.

However, ask yourself how mechanically inclined you are.

For example, when a car is disassembled for restoration, remember that the car may not be put back together for several weeks or months.

Can you remember how everything goes?

It’s sad to say, but it happens all the time. Someone begins a restoration, takes a car apart, and then can’t get it back together. Most times, the car is then either sold "as is" or taken to a shop where hours are spent sorting through jumbled, unmarked parts with the hope that nothing is lost or damaged in the process.

Those hours spent figuring out what someone else has started may end up costing you far more than it would have if the car were taken apart by a professional.

Question 6

What is a pro touring car?

Accepted Answer

A pro touring car is a classic muscle car that has enhanced:

• Suspension components
 • Brake system
 • Drivetrain
 • Aesthetics

It essentially matches the power and performance of a modern-day muscle car.

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