[64speed]

I know I said I was going to get Maaco to paint my car and I had stuck to that plan up until today when I was working on the trunk latch and seeing how things were progressing and how truly nice everything was turning out. Last year I had a company called Classic Pontiac Rescue (CPR) come out and give me and estimate he was very high. High enough for me not to even consider him. Well a friend of mine has a friends that runs an automotive acid dipping place and I took my new trunk lid there today to get it acid dipped and see exactly what I was dealing with. In the process of filling out the invoice my friend said to me I should get the rest of the car acid dipped (except the body shell) and then I could really see what I had. I got an estimate to do my doors, hood, inner and outer fenders, core support and all the other little pieces like bumper brackets etc and they cut me a bulk deal so I setup a time in the future when I have the money to do that. My friend Larry then said you know CPR was just basing their estimate on what they can see and if you get all that back and it’s clean you can probably get a better deal. Larry knows the guy so Larry called and buttered him up and then I got on the phone. We talked for over and hour about expectations, plans for the car etc, and we’re able to work out a reasonable deal from a true restoration shop that specializes in Pontiac’s. Basically for 13k I am gonna get the parts dipped and deliver them and the bare shell to him, he is gonna paint it, assemble all chrome pieces like the grill and the door and rocker mounding, fix all rust and provide and install glass and gaskets and install it all. Basically return to me a finished car that I just have to put my motor and trans, wire it up and get it upholstered. Best part is for me at least is I don’t have to choke up 13 grand at first he is gonna take half up front and let me pay 500 a month till the car is done. So basically the car is getting the care it deserves and I am cutting no corners.