[dataway]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

This is exactly what I did. Cost me about $4K including paint. Took him about 9 months but I knew going in that I would be behind some of his regular business hours customers. I checked on it weekly and he had no problem with me doing some of my own work whenever I wanted to. I did 90% of the body work in my driveway before I took it to him.
I don't have a show car, just a nice driver. Photo is right after we rolled it out of the shop...

I'd be happy as a pig in slop to have that paint job for $4000. There ARE some quite talented, old boy sort of painters out there that do decent work for reasonable money. Many of them have an excellent work ethic too. Not an easy option for some people. But I've lived in this town for 35 years, and have been hanging out with the gear heads here for a long time. So you get to know people. Makes it easier.

[GT182]

Old Goat 67 was in that same predicament with his 67 GTO. He got it out of "Jail" but took a Cop with him to do it.

This is what I've learned from advise and the "hard way". Never ever pay in full before the work is done, get and keep any receipts in a safe place because you'll probably need them before it's finished... if it gets that far. If they won't give your money back use the receipts and take them to court. Sue for you money, parts if any, and court costs. As long as you have receipts any judge is more likely to be on your side. And don't do anything stupid to get yourself in trouble.... stay smart and one step ahead the other guy. A camera and a way to record any conversations it is a definite plus too, along with a witness. And having someone with you at all times is the best and smartest thing to do when dealing with these rip-off artists.

[Captngeetch]

Originally Posted by dataway

I'd be happy as a pig in slop to have that paint job for $4000. There ARE some quite talented, old boy sort of painters out there that do decent work for reasonable money. Many of them have an excellent work ethic too. Not an easy option for some people. But I've lived in this town for 35 years, and have been hanging out with the gear heads here for a long time. So you get to know people. Makes it easier.

If you don't mind me asking, what color is this ?
I'm at the block sanding stage on my '69 Firebird and plan on painting it the original Crystal Tourquois. Being color blind i can't tell if yours in blue or tourquoise lol

TIA

[gtohurstjudge]

A friend of mine who is an avid car collector of muscle cars bought
a 69 Cougar eliminator 428 4 speed car that was a complete car needing a total resto from a gentleman who supposedly specialized in restoring these cars who
lived in a neighboring state. When my friend went to pick up the car the guy
talked him into letting him restore the car vs. the local shop back home that normally does his restorations since he claimed he was an expert on these cars.
A bunch of money was paid up front and the guy was reporting the progress
that was taking place over the phone, and more money changed hands, etc.
This went on for a year then the guy quit answering his e-mails or his phone.
My friend went to retrieve his car and the shop was cleaned out and his car was gone. After hiring a private detective, the guy's brother was located who told him
that the car was stored at his Dad's house in a neighboring town. The Dad let him have the shell of the car which had been completely dismantled then parted out. The entire interior and driveline had been sold from the car and only the main body shell remained. The money from parting the car out had been
used to pay for the guy moving to California after he went through a divorce.
My friend is now restoring the car with the shop he normally uses after buying
a complete show quality 302 Cougar in the same colors to part out to build his
Cougar Eliminator.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by Captngeetch

If you don't mind me asking, what color is this ?
I'm at the block sanding stage on my '69 Firebird and plan on painting it the original Crystal Tourquois. Being color blind i can't tell if yours in blue or tourquoise lol

TIA

It's Meridian Turquoise. Crystal is almost identical..maybe just a hair more bluish on the blue/green scale.