Shop Build Rides

[GregWeld]

Brizio doesn't do ANY paint -- or body work -- or upholstery... there is not one can of bondo in his shop let alone a spray gun.

My guess is that other than Charley - nobody could tell you who paints his cars...

Sid Chavers does all the upholstery.

My only point here is -- that he is still controlling the dates and quality because of his relationship with the outside shops.


I was never asked where I wanted my paint and upholstery done. I don't think there is an option. HAHAHAHAHAHA


HOWEVER --- I agree with the general statement that in most cases I'd want to pick a shop that also did the paintwork.



STEVE ---- AKA EBMC ---- I was going to rant about taking a PT type build to the local body shop... and just didn't because I already have way too many posts! HAHAHAHAHAHA

[EBMC]

Originally Posted by Blake Foster

Agree 100%. on the flip side I have found that with out having the ability to do inhouse paint, the project also falls short. in "Most " cases the builder then looses control of the time line. as well it allows the build to progress with both mechanical and paint being done at the same time which I feel saves time and money for the customer.
I strive to do the mechanical and "engineering" to the highest level expected from the build budget. There has to be some compromise always to some degree other wise you will always end up over budget. Not all cars need to be built to NASA or Race Preped specs.(for lack of a better comparison) things like brakes, steering, NEVER get compromised on that would be STUPID

Yes, as a reputable builder its great to have in house paint and body if there are no compromises on equipment and talent, and in fact it may be an area that my shop may go into in the future, (but for now I have a great network of people we work with, so there is no need for it)
But for shops whose PRIMARY focus is on body and paint is when I see a lot of problems crop up with overall finished product quality and time frame. Its just been my expeireince with the frequent calls and e mails we get.

[youthpastor]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

In other words --- like Ironworks said --- usually the biggest hangup is the ability for you to pay for work performed.

My '33 Ford being built at Brizio's is going as so:

Deposit June 17th 2012
Car to be debuted January 2014 at Grand National Roadster Show


My '32 Ford which was a teardown of an existing car -- and basically a complete re-do sans interior - but part of the interior was redone... took about
10 months.... and another 2 years to sort out the problems that the crappy builder did. The car was "done" --- but not right --- LOL.

SO it depends on the builder AND the cash you toss in the burn pile.


It also depends on the complexity of the build.... simple takes less time -- complicated one off parts can take forever...

In other words -- there is NO WAY for anyone to answer your question because it all "depends".

right on the $$ Greg.....how quick can the money come in? How complex is the build? It it a mini-tubbed '69 Camaro with stock interior? Is there custom interior? Custom metal work? Rendering....?

We ask customers how much money they are comfortable spending in a billing cycle( every two weeks). Do they want to spend $30K in a month or in 6 months? Its the same money, just over longer period. if a guy says I can spend $1000 a month, It hardly pays for the spot the car is parked in. Also momentum is a big plug. When we have to stop and start due to lack of $$ (which rarely happens at our shop) It kills the momentum and costs more in the long run. Better parts come to market, styles change etc.

There is a beautiful Nova here in town in bare metal that was supposed to debut at the 2003 SMOTY competition. It has a ZL1 engine and directional 17" billet wheels with old school Baer brakes. It needs a complete make-over today

Anyways..stick to a plan, get the $$ together and pull the trigger. We average about 12-14 months right now- Chris

[DOOM]

All I have to say on this is DO NOT SEND YOUR BUILD TO A BODY/COLLISION SHOP!!! There is a reason my car is at BBT and not my own shop. I can go on and on about this but I can tell you this if its a busy shop your car will never be a priority . You are asking for trouble. Find a good RESTORATION/FAB SHOP to do your work .

[monza]

Great thread should be a sticky on how to pick a builder for sure.

[PSV]

Unless you have a large budget and a lot of time or want something unique I wouldn't bother. Look for a car that you can buy and enjoy immediately. My car has been in process for more years than I want to admit. The car is a complete build rotisserie job that started in 2004. The last piece of the build, interior and electrical, is said to be completed in 2 weeks but it has been at that shop for 18 months. Prior to this many delays were due to me changing my mind, etc. A lot has changed in 10 years so my car will be a dated in terms of technology. When I started I had everything DSE offered but that was before the quadralink and hydroformed subframe even existed. The work is very good but it has taken a toll on my patience and a lot has changed in my life since the start of the build to the point that I really don't even feel like I want the car anymore. January 2012 I bought a completed car from this site for a fraction of the cost of my build that I was able to enjoy as soon as I got it home.

[cheapta]

My 65 Nova has been on my chassis jig in my home shop for 5 years now-that's FIVE YEARS JUST ON THE CHASSIS JIG!! But, I've never built a chassis before, I've done all the engineering myself and built every single piece in my own shop. I get a little discouraged sometimes, I'm in my late 50's and have my fingers crossed that I'll live long enough to finish the car.
I live in New England so working on the Nova is mostly a wintertime project. Summers here are short, and I have a Fabulous Harley Softail that I like to get out on as often as I can.
I also have a 69 Z/28 and my wife owns a 66 Buick convertible that I maintain. These are summertime cars so I do what it takes to keep them rolling in the nice weather and the Nova takes a back seat. And, of course, there's ALWAYS the "disposable income" issue.
The car is a 65 Nova 2 dr sedan, I've built a 2x3 rectangular tube chassis inside the car with triangulated 4-link rear suspension and a complete custom C4 Corvette front suspension-that's been a time-eater, believe me!
I'd post a build thread but I don't like having to use an outside picture-hosting website to put pics on here, that takes too much time and I'm kind of a dinosaur with this computer stuff-I van barely handle the basic stuff!

Peter