I am looking to have my 1974 Maverick completely restored. (body is solid but will need work, v8 engine needs rebuilt, I live in Southwest Michigan and I am looking for a reputable shop. Any suggestions on a "do it all" shop?
For a TRUE complete resto, you'd probably be better off looking at something like this... http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/maverick-in-ohio-posted-on-craigs-list-25k.115417/
Agreed, a very nice car at a fair price. However, this is my FIRST car that and it has sentimental value. It's been in storage for 25 years and I really want to restore this car.
100xs YES youll easily pay a repeatable shop $35-$50k for a full resto and IM not sure that would include parts if you bought that one for lets say $20000 and bought a summit crate motor and had it installed for $7000 and supposed you wanted a different color and spent $5000 for a good paint job in any standard non metallic or candy color and say you spend $2000 on exhaust and $1000 on a set of restored bucket seats or aftermarket seats then lets go as far as saying you want different wheels lets add another $3000 for some expensive wheels and tires youre still well under $40k for a car thats done beyond what youre average shop is going to do. most shops wont paint the bottom and depending on the budget may not even paint the door jams or disassemble the car to the body and restore every nut and bolt and be sure that every part is touched thats easily close to A $100000 restoration if you had to pay a shop after probably a couple of years waiting. these shows that show a full custom restomod and restoration in a 30 day period or two week period is BS it takes literally hours and hours and hours to get it done and get it done right if I had it in my budget I would be all over the one krazy comet posted
this is my FIRST car that and it has sentimental value okay well that changes things check with the bureau of automotive repair for your area and see what shop they would recommend and check with the better business bureau in your area if there is one also go to the local shops and talk to them not only about price but whats included for the price. how many stage is the paint and how many coats of clear. are they going to take it apart down to every nut and bolt and reassemble it to be a new car? what brand of paint are they going to use? about how many hours of labor do they expect? how long before you get the car back? what are the consequences for them if they dont give you the car back when promosd? (paint jail is a HUGE issue with alot of shops) check references. ask to see some of the stuff theyre working on now. take a tour of there shop. if its got cars stacked in there all kinda ways and no one working on them thats a paint jail shop. BUT if they have stalls per say and theres someone working on every car there and its clean and organised thats likely a productive shop that will get your car done and back to you on time. it will likely cost you more BUT you will get your car back without waiting for years. I would say 6 months to a year is a very reasonable turn around time for a full restoration. once you pick your shop make sure to write yup a contract of youre own. detailing the paint products that are to be used (house of color ppg etc) including the primer and then make sure it says every single bolt and bolt will be replaced and powder coated or painted new and there is a deduction of x amount of dollars per day to the total bill if not done on time and delivered when promised within the budget allowed without any deductions in the quality of the restoration. do NOT BE MR NICE GUY AND SAY WHERE DO I SIGN YOURE GOING TO BEND ME OVER AND DO A SO SO JOB THAT I HAVE TO PAY $80K FOR then my car gets to sit in paint jail for years HOPING someday youll get around to finishing it REMEBER YOURE PAYING $50K+ ITS NOT EVERYDAY SOMEONE WALKS INTO A SHOP AND SAYS HERES $30K FOR A DEPOSIT i WANT THIS THAT AND THAT COMPLETED WITH 6 MONTHS AND WHEN YOURE DONE ILL HAVE ANOTHER $50K (or whatever it is) WAITING FOR YOU IF ITS NOT DONE ON TIME IM TAKING $1000 A WEEK OFF FOR A LATE FEE now do you want the job or not [/QUOTE]
" completely restored" $100K this would mean... motor, transmission, rearend, tires (stock size), rebuild A/C, power steering, paint, interior, brakes, sepension, etc,etc... you are looking for a "restoration shop", a paint and body shop can't handle the mechanics and don't go to one that say they can....JMO also remember....this is a Maverick, that's your first hurtle...LOL general rule...the cost is twice what they say and 3 times the time they say it will take. sentimental value...the most expensive car to restore...
Frank I hadnt thought about it being a maverick youre completely right a maverick is a completely different animal most shops have never even done any repairs on a maverick let alone restored one do you think Im out of line with my guestimate of $100k for a 100% restoration? just curious
Look up maverick comet restoration on FB. Joe restores mavericks to factory perfect or to what ever you desire and he builds all of his own body parts in house. He is a complete one stop shop including paint. I have seen his parts and photos of his cars they are top notch. I believe they are in Ohio and you will be hard pressed to find a restoration shop that knows more about these cars. If I wasn’t on a budget that’s the route I would go.
Do not go to the local collision/repair shop...Do your research. Find a shop in your area that specializes in classic/antique cars. (they speak the restoration language) Do prepare to spend ALOT of money. A restoration involves every aspect of the subject matter. This includes everything from properly date coded hoses to the proper fabric for the seats to proper nuts/bolts with the proper coating/color to em. Soo, that said...You need to decide if you want a proper "Factory correct" restoration or a freshened up weekend driver/cruise attendee type of build. Body/paint alone can be on average, 8 to 15K depending on body/sheet metal condition. Rust repair is labor intensive and eats up a fair amount of the man hours on a restor/freshen up so consider the cars current condition as well as your budget for the project. Set a max for your budget and plan to go over it by roughly 10 to 20 percent (Seriously) budgets rarely get met or stay under. Figure out if you really want a museum piece or a driver then plan accordingly. Be honest with your expectations and realistic with your needs/wants for the project and your budget...Again do your homework. You may have to got a state or two away to find the shop your looking for so be prepared. Good luck...
From what I have seen Joe at 3pg does great work and knows these cars well. I have used a lot of his panels and parts they are very nice. Easiest way to get him without a FB account is through his office at patti10@aol.com. That's how I communicate with his shop. For what its worth if I was going to outsource a maverick he would be my choice. I do know he has a spot or two open for a winter restoration. I am in the middle of a nut and bolt resto on my maverick and the costs add up fast.
I am also in SW michigan, let me know if you find a good shop. I want to get a paint job in the spring.
