Erik’s 1970 Barracuda convertible project..... update!!

[HEMICUDA]

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.

[Chryco Psycho]

Pretty simple math . treat people well & take care of them even if it cost you some $$ to make things right & people will want to deal with you & bring you more work 
If $$ are the bottom line & you treat the customer poorly you will not be in business long 

[1 Wild R/T]

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...

[JH27N0B]

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.

[HEMICUDA]

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...

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".

[70 Challenger Lover]

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.

[HEMICUDA]

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.

[ErikR]

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 

[ErikR]

Challenger

[ErikR]

Joes six barrel cuda

[ErikR]

AAR

[Spikedog08]

That is a color I would like an AAR in!  Very cool!   

[Cuda Cody]

Looks great!   

[Slotts]

Hey Erik,

It's really great to see you out enjoying your car!!!
Thank you for posting those pictures. 

Jim

[HEMICUDA]

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.