Well....
I picked up the '32 from Steve's Auto Restoration yesterday... it's been there for a LONG honey do list of screw ups after returning from Santa Barbara (it's maiden voyage - although that trip should be thought of as a honeymoon night with your virgin that turned out to be a worn out whore - scabs and all).
There was some issues with the parking brake that cropped up when I drove it a mile or so just to check out that everything was now "okay"... They attempted to fix it while I was there - and of course my issue with trying a quick fix - after months and HUGE money to remodel a car - is that this is more than ridiculous. Particularly since they knew it was an issue! It's not something that just showed up - and in fact - this issue is NEW since returning from Santa Barbara where it WAS NOT an issue.... but showed up with their test drives and subsequent re-work on the car. So to me - it should have been worked on and test driven BEFORE I got there to pick it up! If it wasn't ready - they should have called and said so... as I'd have been even more pissed if it showed up while I was down in Pleasanton - and had to spend another weekend working on my high dollar (not highboy) car in the parking lot!
The hydraulic throw out bearing is squealing like a pig.... not sure how anyone can mess up this simple system - but they managed to do it. I've done about 5 of these now (it's like owning a pick up - all your friends call... I have a lift and a air driven tranny jack.... so guess what... LOL) and not one has been an issue. There's a clearance to be checked and a minor amount of plumbing. Big whoop.... as in - super easy to do.
They did manage to fix the other issues - and they got the StarDrive installed (it had been removed in favor of a key for Santa Barbara trip).... it's "okay" -- and might be perfect - but all the instructions/paperwork/dyno sheets etc weren't in the trunk as I expected it to be - so I can't read the instructions to see if I'm doing something wrong. They'll send all that stuff as asked - but my point is that this is just one more little "detail" that is another epic fail on a long list of epic fails.
The car drives fantastically -- can't tell you how happy I am with the level of fit and finish - but as I just told the foreman (Chuck) it's like a great looking chick but you have to strap a 2X4 to your azz to keep from falling in... I don't care after that what she looks like - we're DONE!
Chuck just called - and, of course, they want it back to do whatever is required.... my response was hell no! It's been there for months - it's been returned for rework - and you still can't get it right?! So I'll fix it myself. I'll have it done in one day - and it will be right on the money. They can shape sheet metal and make fancy doodads.... but mechanically the shop is in the epic fail category.
They should be seriously embarrassed... and this kind of work.. coupled with the high prices... just might explain their having to layoff most of their employees. When you go from 20 down to 5 or 6 -- someone ought to be looking around and asking what's wrong... and if they're delivering cars like this - it explains everything. Building show cars is one thing - building cars that actually run and drive and work... well -- that takes a LOT more talent and actual project management.
Most of you already know - this was a no budget - cost no object - build. This was not the typical "how much can you do for "X".... I just want to make that clear to anyone reading this post down the road... this is not bragging - it's just a simple fact. When a shop gets that kind of customer -- they should kiss the sky. Well... they can kiss my azz now.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
I know - but this was maiden voyage - still in tuning mode... so was just driving to hold a certain load while the EFI dialed in. 
Linear Mode
