Mid-August I drove out to Mike's shop on a Saturday to see him again and meet Jim in person. Jim had driven out there at midnight and stayed until noon Saturday to sort out my electric problems. This pic shows where Jim was set up and he got me squared away with a list of issues including a fuse/corroded board issue, installed a rebuilt headlight switch, installed a replacement key switch that was missing for the buzzer, and this resolved back-feeding issues with the clock and interior lights. Huge thanks to Jim for going out of his way to help me out.
Jim's workstation
Mike's shop tackled a list of things, however the main thing with any restoration project is going to be the body and paint and short of re-doing all of the bodywork/paint, they took care of the top half of the car witch had some serious checkering / cross hatching pattern and was a slap in the face. They also did the top edge of the doors and the rear decklid / quarter panel area where there was blending mistakes and paint buffed all the way through.
This video shows the cross-hatching pretty good, hard to capture from a picture. The entire top of the car had this problem.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iTOUosoqCMb_pgihFRMZNAgthmrvGq6h/view?usp=sharing
The cross-hatching can also be seen in this photo that shows were the hood pin bezel was installed on wet paint and cemented to the hood.
Same here the scoops installed on wet paint and they were pressed down into metal.
rear rubber bumper in wet paint
rear tail paint buffed all the way through
chip on the top passenger side door
The plan is that next fall I will bring it back to Mikes shop and have the body work taken to an appropriate level the car deserves. For now, the top half of the paint has at least been made presentable until it can be redone, a huge improvement from where it was.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7TyToO9ocKIRnUxYmtSOEk2akFnR3o1OVdub2ozbFVaX1FN/view?usp=sharing
hood AFTER pic
pic shows the the proper belt molding clip on the right from Tom at RT.
The clip on the left is not spec and what I had installed on my car so a loosing battle to begin with.
New clips installed but required ANOTHER set of properly-sized holes to be drilled in the doors so they clips and moldings will seat properly!
driver belt
pass belt
I expected there to be some issues with the paint but wasn't sure it would be enough for dragging Alan through the court of public opinion...
All I can say after seeing that video is Holy Sh1t...
Alan, how could you possibly think that was acceptable? I wouldn't have accepted that when I was eighteen & didn't know better... I'm quite sure you know better...
For a guy who has a tag line "I taught you everything you know, not everything I know" Looks like you need to go back to school...
Looking good! It's great that these guys could step up and help you out! :twothumbsup:
........and the brakes needed attention. rear shoes adjusted, system bled again, brake light switch/bracket adjusted.
A big improvement but scary compared to modern brakes!
Quote from: ErikR on September 02, 2019, 01:30:34 PM
........and the brakes needed attention. rear shoes adjusted, system bled again, brake light switch/bracket adjusted.
A big improvement but scary compared to modern brakes!
And why I try to get guys to make non-stock changes... I understand wanting to keep things original but if your gonna drive it especially in modern traffic some stuff needs to work better than it did in 1970...
I'm assuming 4 wheel drums? Cause honestly I've got 11.75 discs & I can stop pretty well, not 4 wheel ABS & big brakes well but well enough for trying to run in normal big city traffic....
Live and learn for me Randy! I know pro mechanics like you have been there / done that firsthand and know what's what, but for me this was a learning experience the hard way on proper metal, body and paint work.
This post is about me moving on and living with my car for now and the guys that stepped up big time to help me out.
Mike Ross and his crew will re-do the bodywork/ paint next year to the level that is appropriate for this car, and for now I will rack up the miles.
It's such a good cruiser, I'll have to list all the shop that refurbished parts for me since they are top notch.
My engine guy Jimmy is a hard-core racer / engine builder. The motor he built is really great but he also did my rear 3.23's and they are too tight! So my winter project will be to get a 3.55 set up from Dr. Diff and go at it.
More to come on my car, but for now a big thanks once again to Mike and Jim for getting me on track with this project.
I've got discs up front but all 4 in the future would be a good plan. I do plan to dive it so the shock/suspension upgrades you mentioned will certainly help.
Not to judge or crank things up again but that paint was obviously rushed. It may have looked okay when first done and all the checking and sanding scratches happened as it gassed out. Anyway glad you're moving on.
If there are discs up front it should at least be able to stop reasonably well.. I'm sure Mike & his guys have done what they could with whats there.. I wonder if different brake pads would make a difference... There's some really good pads out there.. And garbage...
Good to hear it's back and in much better shape than when you got it back from Alan.
Thanks guys :cheers:
Purple & White convertible is about as good as it gets... :drooling:
Glad you are getting things sorted out and are able to enjoy it a little before the white stuff gets here.
Glad to see you are getting to the point, that you can enjoy it....I had issues on my end also, that why I got involved and did it myself..... :bigthumb:
That is going to be a neat car when finished!
Quote from: RUNCHARGER on September 02, 2019, 01:57:24 PM
Not to judge or crank things up again but that paint was obviously rushed. It may have looked okay when first done and all the checking and sanding scratches happened as it gassed out. Anyway glad you're moving on.
The "checkering" was there when the car was wet sanded/buffed, anyone that worked on that car seen it, Helen Keller could have felt it. The paint is a minor issue, we will have to completely disassemble the car and start over, straightening out all the unfinished metal and body work. Erik's car is far and away the worst "bargain"100K+ :bigmoney: restoration I've ever seen. :barf:
Here we soft edged the top of the door to fix all the chipping from using incorrect belt molding clips.
This picture clearly shows where it was tried, without success, to blend the corner of the deck lid opening. Probably an area that was buffed thru.
Blended properly.
Blending the back and rear corners that were buffed thru to the primer.
Quote from: 1 Wild R/T on September 02, 2019, 01:57:39 PM
If there are discs up front it should at least be able to stop reasonably well.. I'm sure Mike & his guys have done what they could with whats there.. I wonder if different brake pads would make a difference... There's some really good pads out there.. And garbage...
I put cross drilled and slotted Baer discs and ceramic pads up front. Made quite a difference.
I am running 4 wheel drum brakes on my car but upgraded to a complete set up from a Muscle car brakes the kit included Thermo Cooled Drums and MCB Matrix Ceramic Brake Shoes, High Volume Wheel Cylinders, Heavy Trick Spring Kit, Star Wheel Self Adjuster Combo Kit and front &rear Brake Hoses. They claim that the MCB Stage-III kit will give that Muscle Car or Classic Truck as much as 38% better braking than over the counter brakes.
http://www.musclecarbrakes.com/
Quote from: 76orangewagon on September 03, 2019, 07:13:59 AM
I am running 4 wheel drum brakes on my car but upgraded to a complete set up from a Muscle car brakes the kit included Thermo Cooled Drums and MCB Matrix Ceramic Brake Shoes, High Volume Wheel Cylinders, Heavy Trick Spring Kit, Star Wheel Self Adjuster Combo Kit and front &rear Brake Hoses. They claim that the MCB Stage-III kit will give that Muscle Car or Classic Truck as much as 38% better braking than over the counter brakes.
http://www.musclecarbrakes.com/
Have you road tested them yet? I've wondered how good their stuff is.
Quote from: RUNCHARGER on September 02, 2019, 01:57:24 PM
Not to judge or crank things up again but that paint was obviously rushed. It may have looked okay when first done and all the checking and sanding scratches happened as it gassed out. Anyway glad you're moving on.
I am not going to judge ether, but I had a quart of primer from PPG. for got the part #, it was sup-post to be a direct to metal epoxy. violet color, I used it on several vehicles, and did not see any problems. I don't recall how much time lapsed, but every place I applied it came back looking like what I saw in these pictures. :headbang: needless to say, I had to eat those jobs. Were I bought that primer from didn't want to know anything. I don't use PPG any more, That store closed and I switched to Du-Pont and been happy with it.
Quote from: JS29 on September 03, 2019, 07:30:22 AM
Quote from: RUNCHARGER on September 02, 2019, 01:57:24 PM
Not to judge or crank things up again but that paint was obviously rushed. It may have looked okay when first done and all the checking and sanding scratches happened as it gassed out. Anyway glad you're moving on.
I am not going to judge ether, but I had a quart of primer from PPG. for got the part #, it was sup-post to be a direct to metal epoxy. violet color, I used it on several vehicles, and did not see any problems. I don't recall how much time lapsed, but every place I applied it came back looking like what I saw in these pictures. :headbang: needless to say, I had to eat those jobs. Were I bought that primer from didn't want to know anything. I don't use PPG any more, That store closed and I switched to Du-Pont and been happy with it.
Nope, it was all in the clear. I was hoping we wouldn't have to paint the entire hood & fenders, we DA'ed the entire hood to see if the "checkering" was no deeper than that then wet sanded and buffed what was left, we got lucky. Like I said, the paint is the easy problem, all the work will be in the metal, body gaps, body lines and making it perfectly flat for paint.
Like I've said before, I will never post pictures of customers cars "in process", Erik wanted me to post what was needed to make the car "local show acceptable". When his car comes back next year, the updates will come from him only.
Hey Erik,
I am so glad to see the first picture you posted at the beginning of this thread. Driving on the Grand Central Parkway!!! :twothumbsup:
That IS what this is all about!I will start with my initial contact with Erik on June 8th. Here was a rather unusual Parts Wanted post.
https://forum.e-bodies.org/parts-wanted/25/urgent-request-nos-e-body-3-speed-wiper-switch-2770380-and-dimmer-switch-3420865/11631/
(https://forum.e-bodies.org/parts-wanted/25/urgent-request-nos-e-body-3-speed-wiper-switch-2770380-and-dimmer-switch-3420865/11631/)
We did make contact that day and understood he was in a time crunch to get these parts installed before the car carrier was scheduled to pick up the car. Turned out the best way to get them there was to send to Erik directly, overnight on July 11th and arrived on July 12th. All good, right? Well, no...
On July 17th, I received an email from Erik describing some unusual electrical issues that directly tied into the restored dash dimmer switch and variable speed wiper switch that I provided and were installed. Both of these issues are referenced in that attached report.
With Erik's description of these electrical issues, I knew that more was occurring than could be expected from anyone trying to look into remotely with me on the phone. I have done that countless numbers of times with helping clients find something unrelated that was causing issues, get them solved and have the car back on the road, again.
Before letting Erik now about my intentions, next, I talked with my wife about seeing if she would be interested in a getaway weekend trip to Long Island. That was code for (I will drop you off at the mall and go to Erik's place to figure out what's up) and she thought that was a great idea! Both of us love being in the Big Apple, especially having diner on Mulberry Street.
With the addition of body issues that Erik described to me, and believe me, I am not a body guy, I knew he was in between a rock and a hard place and didn't know where to turn to next. I am raising my hand and letting everybody know that I recommended he consider contacting Mike Ross. Mike and I have known each other since dirt was still under warranty. He also has gone out of his way to point Mopar people with electrical issues to JS Restorations for help of which I can never begin to repay or thank him enough.
Those two talked and suddenly the plan changed from my wife and I taking a trip to Long Island to me making a solo trip to Litchfield, Ohio. Once the plans were made to deliver the car to Mike, my window of opportunity became August 10th to make a trip to Mike's shop. Erik also would be making the trip from Long Island that day to Mike's shop, so I had to get my little behind to Mike's shop early with the intension of having all the electrical issues resolved before Erik's arrival. I arrived there at 3:00 am and started by first meeting Kenny, who was expecting some guy to walk into the place. Thanks for letting Kenny know about my arrival time Mike or I may have been filled with buckshot! Mike was there too.
Note: I was armed with another restored 2947713 dash dimmer switch, a 2770380 variable speed wiper switch and a 2947305 headlight switch. The headlight switch was not part of Erik's request for parts wanted but had one in my back pocket.
I thought about not even mentioning this before writing but changed my mind. With the cost of two parts that I sold Erik without any sort of "drop everything and do these now upcharge" and the overnight shipping, that was and is all of any financial transaction that has occurred between us. Why? Because I had that familiar tap on my shoulder with the whispering in my ear of, "Take care of this person in need." Some may know what I am referring to. ;)
It was my pleasure to meet up with you Erik and shake your hand in person, along with Kenny and Mike again. Also, a guest appearance by Ross, who we have done business with made the drive from Akron that morning to see the progress on his car. Nice to meet you in person and shake your hand as well.
The following is what I documented while on site and the results that concluded with a fully functioning electrical system:
Jim
Eric,
I was at Mikes shop and saw your car the same day you drove in from New York but missed you by about an hour or so. When I arrived Mike and Jim were working away on fixing the steering column issues so I gave myself a self-guided tour and walk around of your car. I would like to share my un-biased opinion and assessment from what my thoughts were, this is not meant to cut down anyone or build-up others.
Upon walking through the doorway into the well-lit work bay and seeing the car overall I was impressed and stunned at how beautiful the car looked. I mean come on... it's a 1970 Cuda' convertible painted In-Violet (Plum Crazy, for you Dodge Guys) with a white interior and top and then the body color painted steel wheels and poverty caps just added an extra WOW factor. I lifted the hood to check out the engine compartment and again was impressed by the details and cleanliness of not only the 340 but the overall engine compartment and components in general. I looked underneath at the front suspension and again thought very nicely done and well detailed, basically I gave a nice once over like I would at a car show when you see an interesting car and thought the website bashing seemed harsh. But then .....
As I went to shut the hood something caught my eye and I noticed the checkering or crow's feet and the closer I looked the more of it I saw, then I walked down the side and stared at the door gaps and body lines... Ouch, big gaps and a body like that was off by 3/16" from the door to front fender...basically what was discussed online before so I won't repeat everything again but the harder I looked the more issues I noticed. Being that I am just an enthusiast in the car hobby and do not do this for a living it takes me awhile longer to pick up on flaws that professionals in the business see easily and stick out like a sore thumb to them but I eventually find things here and there.
After an in-depth walk around of your car I can honestly say I would be very unhappy and can totally understand your anger and disappointment if I paid what I have read a few places that you paid for the quality of work you received, especially in regards to the paint and body. When I had my Duster a few years ago, that was a 6 year build and had a bad experience with the body work gaps, sharpness of body lines, ect... and it really took the wind out of my sail so to speak about how I felt about the car. It's a shame and in my opinion the value of the car has taken a financial hit in regards towards higher end builds due to the finish work but the detailing and major sub components (Suspension, engine & rear end) are nicely done and you should be proud of those at least, unfortunately the hardest and most expensive part to fix at this point is the body work. When you are driving down the road nobody will ever notice what flaws are left they'll just stare in awe as you zoom past and even at car shows most of the hobbyists will give a quick look over (and under) then move on since the overall appearance of the entire car is visually stunning in that color combination. At least it's better now and you can enjoy it now that some of the issues and safety problems are fixed. I'm glad my car's body is where it is, I feel confident that it will be done right when I get it back.
Quote from: 70 Challenger Lover on September 03, 2019, 07:26:20 AM
Quote from: 76orangewagon on September 03, 2019, 07:13:59 AM
I am running 4 wheel drum brakes on my car but upgraded to a complete set up from a Muscle car brakes the kit included Thermo Cooled Drums and MCB Matrix Ceramic Brake Shoes, High Volume Wheel Cylinders, Heavy Trick Spring Kit, Star Wheel Self Adjuster Combo Kit and front &rear Brake Hoses. They claim that the MCB Stage-III kit will give that Muscle Car or Classic Truck as much as 38% better braking than over the counter brakes.
http://www.musclecarbrakes.com/
Have you road tested them yet? I've wondered how good their stuff is.
I have not tried them they are sitting on the sub assemblies waiting on the rest of the car to get completed..but I know someone that has the complete stage III kit and says it was a night and day difference from before to after. I needed to buy all new stuff anyway so it was a no brainer for me since 100% original looks is very important along with the safety upgrade potential.
I would consider this a "minor" issue. Trim not installed correctly, had to pull a couple windshield clips loose, not a big deal. Before and after.
Really glad folks can see how much Mike and Jim helped me out of a very bad situation on this life-long dream of mine to get my high school car restored. This story goes a little deeper and I think that is worth sharing too.
It really took a while for me to get my head around the whole car, the good and the bad. I initially focused on the so-called minor stuff with problems, but then slowly became increasingly disappointed and upset with the big stuff - bodywork and paint. I had ZERO interest in wrenching on it and was not fully enjoying the car at all in that condition, so again this whole 'dream' went sideways quickly.
I jumped at the chance to get my car to Mike's shop. I knew it would need Jim's expert troubleshooting on electrics and Mike could handle the rest of the list to get me in a better place. I was flat broke at this point but also needed to get these problems fixed if I was going to try and live with the car.
The previous restorer eventually offered to have me take the car back, but obviously there was no way I was doing that as I have explained previously, and my car was already at Mike's shop. My invoice for all this additional work came to $3500 and the previous restorer refused to pay. I was scrambling at this point to cover the bill and the back/fourth transport from Reliable was another bill I had just been hit with.
Well I guess Mike and Jim got to talking again, they felt bad about the whole thing too so and they agreed to cover all the costs to fix my car. So a big shout out to Mike and Jim for stepping up on this and helping me out of a bad spot, and it's important that folks on here know that.
WOW GOOD GUY ALERT TO MIKE AND JIM! :yes: Very cool job guys! :twothumbsup:
Quote from: ErikR on September 04, 2019, 07:54:32 AM
Really glad folks can see how much Mike and Jim helped me out of a very bad situation on this life-long dream of mine to get my high school car restored. This story goes a little deeper and I think that is worth sharing too.
It really took a while for me to get my head around the whole car, the good and the bad. I initially focused on the so-called minor stuff with problems, but then slowly became increasingly disappointed and upset with the big stuff - bodywork and paint. I had ZERO interest in wrenching on it and was not fully enjoying the car at all in that condition, so again this whole 'dream' went sideways quickly.
I jumped at the chance to get my car to Mike's shop. I knew it would need Jim's expert troubleshooting on electrics and Mike could handle the rest of the list to get me in a better place. I was flat broke at this point but also needed to get these problems fixed if I was going to try and live with the car.
The previous restorer eventually offered to have me take the car back, but obviously there was no way I was doing that as I have explained previously, and my car was already at Mike's shop. My invoice for all this additional work came to $3500 and the previous restorer refused to pay. I was scrambling at this point to cover the bill and the back/fourth transport from Reliable was another bill I had just been hit with.
Well I guess Mike and Jim got to talking again, they felt bad about the whole thing too so and they agreed to cover all the costs to fix my car. So a big shout out to Mike and Jim for stepping up on this and helping me out of a bad spot, and it's important that folks on here know that.
I wasn't going to post that Erik, about the original restorer not covering the expense of Jim and I. :pullinghair: Shipping a car to Canada is not easy, with all that you've been through and the original restorer not stepping up, we felt inclined to do all the work "Pro bono". Not sure, with all the issues, I would have let them take another shot at it either. I look forward to seeing your car next fall, that way, you can sit with it in your garage with a cold one and enjoy it. :bradsthumb:
I want to see it at Carlisle for the 50 year celebration of the ebody! That will be very cool! :bigthumb:
I've been following this thread and now I have to add another WOW!!! Mike, Jim you guys are awesome.
I would just like to say that both Mike and Jim have always help me out. This is a nice step for the hobby.
Anytime you guys are in New York, come and see me. I will take you out for lunch or dinner to Little Italy in Da Bronx
Bob
What you guys did was huge. You deserve a big pat on the back for helping out a fellow Mopar guy in need!
Quote from: ErikR on September 04, 2019, 07:54:32 AM
Really glad folks can see how much Mike and Jim helped me out of a very bad situation ... Well I guess Mike and Jim got to talking again, they felt bad about the whole thing too so and they agreed to cover all the costs to fix my car. So a big shout out to Mike and Jim for stepping up on this and helping me out of a bad spot, and it's important that folks on here know that.
Wow!! That's very generous of them!! I tip my cap to those guys ... if I knew who they were. Problem is ... I don't know who exactly "Mike" and "Jim" are ... but I want to!! I want to put those guys number in my hip-pocket ... off course not to ask for "pro bono" work ... but just in case I ever need their kind of expertise with a difficult problem.
Quote from: RzeroB on September 04, 2019, 08:57:14 AM
Quote from: ErikR on September 04, 2019, 07:54:32 AM
Really glad folks can see how much Mike and Jim helped me out of a very bad situation ... Well I guess Mike and Jim got to talking again, they felt bad about the whole thing too so and they agreed to cover all the costs to fix my car. So a big shout out to Mike and Jim for stepping up on this and helping me out of a bad spot, and it's important that folks on here know that.
Wow!! That's very generous of them!! I tip my cap to those guys ... if I knew who they were. Problem is ... I don't know who exactly "Mike" and "Jim" are ... but I want to!! I want to put those guys number in my hip-pocket ... off course not to ask for "pro bono" work ... but just in case I ever need their kind of expertise with a difficult problem.
Jim www.jsrestorations.com has been in my "good guy and buddies club" for many years. I never restore a car without him putting his hands on all my switches before they're put in. The reason Jim and I got along so well, from the beginning from day one years ago, we both wanted to be a blessing to the people in the hobby and help them out with the talents we have. We both realize how intimidating it is working on an old MOPAR, it feels good giving back.
Your actions are above and beyond what anyone could possibly expect. We don't see actions like this very often and I'm very impressed. Talk is cheap but actions are what separate the men from the boys.
Quote from: RUNCHARGER on September 04, 2019, 07:04:45 PM
Your actions are above and beyond what anyone could possibly expect. We don't see actions like this very often and I'm very impressed. Talk is cheap but actions are what separate the men from the boys.
Hey Sheldon,
I would like to thank you for this last post. I know that Mike Ross had taken some heat on previous threads from some members for his comments. Knowing Mike as I do, I can say they were NOT posted from a point of inflating his ego, but from the frustration that this thread has now been able to peacefully reveal. Previously, the results were locked threads and members that simply did not understand the big picture occurring at that time. I hope that those views held by some members then, have and will have time for healing and change opinions for the better.
I would like to thank Cody, Dave and Neil for enabling Erik to start a new thread that will be showing the road to recovery for his Barracuda. I was and am thrilled that I could do my little sliver in helping Erik through this process. Also, looking forward on this thread to see others step in helping Erik, the type of brake system help discussed so far as an example, is what I believe will help pull us all closer together on this forum.
Jim
Quote from: ErikR on September 04, 2019, 07:54:32 AM
Mike and Jim got to talking again, they felt bad about the whole thing too so and they agreed to cover all the costs to fix my car.
Wow, just wow! Gestures like that can restore one's faith in humanity again. If there were more people on the planet like Mike and Jim the world would be a better place.
I am glad that Eric can now enjoy this Eye catching beauty! and hope it is a source of pleasure for years to come.
Quote from: ErikR on September 04, 2019, 07:54:32 AM
Well I guess Mike and Jim got to talking again, they felt bad about the whole thing too so and they agreed to cover all the costs to fix my car. So a big shout out to Mike and Jim for stepping up on this and helping me out of a bad spot, and it's important that folks on here know that.
Wow just wow. :clapping:
Quote from: RUNCHARGER on September 04, 2019, 07:04:45 PM
Your actions are above and beyond what anyone could possibly expect. We don't see actions like this very often and I'm very impressed. Talk is cheap but actions are what separate the men from the boys.
Thx for that Sheldon, after having a long discussion with Erik and the original restorer bailing on the whole deal because it didn't get shipped back to him to fix the issues, Jim and I felt very compelled to do all the work free. Erik went thru enough, the expense to have his car shipped and returned to my shop and pay for all Jim and our work? Jim was on the same page as me, it took us about 1 second to get to the same conclusion. I really have to thank Jim for coming out at 3am, he's a genius electrically, I knew my place, I was his "gofer". I would have gotten where he took us, it would have taken much longer, that guy is good.
That is why this site was created , to help everyone get the best possible result from their cars , too many people would just give up without the support of the great people here !
Big Thanks to everyone who made a situation that should never have happened in the first place right in the end !!
Big Thanks also for covering costs to repair the problems , anyone reputable knows this will only pay huge dividends , it is far harder to build & keep a good reputation than to lose one !
This is awesome, well done. Hope to see the car one day at a show in the NJ metro area
It is nice to hear that there are folks out there that realize money isn't everything. Kudos to Mike and Jim, not that they were looking for any recognition, just trying to make a bad situation better.
Quote from: cuda dad on September 05, 2019, 09:45:39 PM
It is nice to hear that there are folks out there that realize money isn't everything. Kudos to Mike and Jim, not that they were looking for any recognition, just trying to make a bad situation better.
Thx for that, unfortunately, Jim and I only put a bandage on the big issues, the entire body still has to go thru much metal/body work, to get the body where is deserves to be for what was paid and the car deserves. At least Erik can drive it to local shows without getting punched in the mouth with the glaring issues it had.
Pretty simple math . treat people well & take care of them even if it cost you some $$ to make things right & people will want to deal with you & bring you more work :bigthumb:
If $$ are the bottom line & you treat the customer poorly you will not be in business long :bye:
So the question is "Are cars your Passion? Or your job?"
If when asked about cars the first thought is how to maximize profit then it sure isn't your passion... :alan2cents:
It's impressive seeing Mike and Jim step up to help fix the issues with the convertible!
I had a disappointing experience a few years ago with a well known shop that has done a lot of award winning projects, so the posts on this project strike a nerve with me!
In my case I paid a different shop around $6000, mostly to fix issues the first shop never should allowed to happen, including a rear axle damaged by no lube and misaligned panels.
One must have passion, but passion alone doesn't pay the bills. Restoration work has got to be a tough business. But that still doesn't excuse letting sub par work leave the shop.
My experience left me a little soured on my car, and I hope the help and support coming Eriks way will leave him with a more positive feeling in the end.
Quote from: 1 Wild R/T on September 08, 2019, 08:10:51 AM
So the question is "Are cars your Passion? Or your job?"
If when asked about cars the first thought is how to maximize profit then it sure isn't your passion... :alan2cents:
Alright, here's way to much information. Growing up, one uncle had a 70 4 speed Challenger and the other had a 70 4 speed Roadrunner, I was 9 years old (thank goodness they weren't driving Camaro's or Mustangs). At 45 I retired from a, family owned, high engineering mobile equipment manufacturing company. To give you an idea what I did and trust me I'm not bragging, I sold, designed and built the truck to carry the solid rocket booster sections for Thiokol for the Space Shuttle. I traveled all over the world doing high end specialty high capacity trucks, the highest being a 400 thousand pound capacity billet handler for Logan Aluminum. That's my background.
Fast forward to today, through all my years, all I could think about were cars, ebodies specifically. I had been building them since I was 20 and couldn't wait for the day I could have my own facility to do all my own work for myself. For the least 12+ years, I've been doing nothing but my own cars, I now have way to many. Two years ago I decided I don't need any more, problem is, I love the "process" so I opened the shop to customers. That's where I am today, I own everything with zero overhead in a 15,00sq foot shop, other than paying taxes, heat & electric.
Not saying I'm perfect, I'm definitely not, it's easy to be great when everything is going well, a company (or man) is judged how they handle a situation when it goes sideways. No company is perfect, we are all ultimately judged how we handle situations when the going gets tough. If you have a great company or product, you will ultimately be judged on how you handle your "oh sh1t's".
I enjoys doing all of this hands on work myself but for most of my adult life, I relied on professionals to perform certain tasks I assumed would always be beyond me. After getting crapped on by so many of these "professionals," I finally decided to start doing these things myself. Not because I believed I could do it better but because I always knew my heart would be in the work. I got to a point where I simply didn't trust people to do a great job anymore when it was their job. It's very uplifting to see a couple pros step up and help a guy out who went through such a bad experience. Seeing it done for free in this case goes a long way to restoring my faith in others.
Hey Erik, any update? Have you had a chance to drive that car to any local car shows? It's really a shame the original restorer wouldn't even cover the shipping to/from my shop so Jim and I could do all the bandage work that was done to make your car "presentable" at local shows. I look forward to getting my hands on your car next fall to get it to the level it desires.
Hey Mike!
Yeah I've been putting on some miles since it's been back. The brakes perform ALOT better and yes I feel that the car is at least presentable now and not flat out embarrassing!
I mostly go to cars and coffee Sunday mornings at Captree state park on the south shore. 2 weeks ago I ran into a convertible Challenger and "shakerjoe" from Mopars - he got his 71 cuda on the road again, very nice car and he seems to be enjoying it. Also saw Donovan with his AAR, sweet car!
More pics to come before winter comes :bigthumb:
Challenger
Joes six barrel cuda
AAR
That is a color I would like an AAR in! Very cool! :bigthumb:
Looks great! :banana:
Hey Erik,
It's really great to see you out enjoying your car!!!
Thank you for posting those pictures. :bigthumb:
Jim
Erik, I know you wanted to schedule to come out and see Ross's 71 Cuda shaker to inspect the metal and body work, we'll have it ready for paint in the next 2ish weeks.
Thanks for the write up. It's always great to see people stepping up to help another car guy or gal. People should always be willing to help one and other that's how our hobby grows. It's a real shame when people ask for help and are shut down, everyone started somewhere and had to learn. People shouldn't forget that. Happy to see the miles tracking up!
holy crap id be pissed with the quality too. MIKE ROSS and JIM awesome that you help ERIK with his problems. mike as always your a stand up person.
Quote from: mike ketterer on January 22, 2020, 08:28:46 PM
holy crap id be pissed with the quality too. MIKE ROSS and JIM awesome that you help ERIK with his problems. mike as always your a stand up person.
You got that right Mike, it is absolutely pathetic. :thumbdown: I'm still pulling nails out of my walls that Erik was spitting when he was here. :verymad: