Ready to go the body shop

[drooartz]

Swapped Penny into my main garage today so she'll be ready for the trip to the body shop on Tuesday. Had a nice chat with the shop owner and we're all lined up to get the car down there and make a plan for the body work. Called AAA as well and my plus towing (100 miles per tow) will cover the flatbed tow down to the shop, saves some $ I'll need later on for sure.

Moving right along!

 

[smaceng]

Drew, are you staying with OEW? What about the interior?
Scott in CA

 

[drooartz]

OEW with a red interior -- those are the original colors according to the heritage certificate and I'm a fan of keeping the original look where possible.

Interior is currently black, so I'll eventually have some black bits to pass on to someone else who needs them.

 

[Gray_Cat]

Looking at that photo, it appears she just came from the paint shop!

 

[drooartz]

Looking at that photo, it appears she just came from the paint shop!

Take a picture far enough back and they all look good. :grin:

Fender beading is rusted, bit on each rear quarter panel as well and peeling paint on the interior and engine bay. A few holes to fill from old accessories too. Really, it's a very solid car with a few needs. She'll never be a show car, but I am trying to clean up all the little body issues at once.

 

[drooartz]

Off she goes!

And she's off! Call to AAA (I have the 100 mile towing option) and a flatbed was at the house at about 8:30 am to pick up the Bugeye. Driver was a nice guy, took real care to get the car loaded safely.

Had a good chat with the shop owner. I went over the issues I know need to be addressed, and we put together a preliminary plan of action. They'll give the car a good cleaning and assessment and then we'll chat again about the plan and refine the budget. The shop comes highly recommended and I got a good feeling from them, so hopefully it'll work out well.

 

[Bob Claffie]

Re: Off she goes!

I think you were lucky to find a shop to work on it. When I tried to get my C*bra replica painted no one would touch it except for BIG $$. Most body shops make their bread and butter off insurance work and don't want to be bothered with "real" work. Bob

 

[drooartz]

Had a good recommendation for the shop from a friend who has used them several times in the past. Not the cheapest around, but reasonable and so far I've been very pleased with their service. Very confidence inspiring.

This is a busy time for them (lots of winter accidents to repair) so I expect the timeline will not be short. That's okay, I just want the work done right.

 

[Keith_M]

Hi Drew,
We're running almost perfectly parallel. Mine is at the body shop now too and probably won't be done until late spring or summer (if I'm lucky). I'll be interested to hear what the body shop finds in terms of rust. Are you having it sandblasted?

 

[drooartz]

I'll be interested to hear what the body shop finds in terms of rust. Are you having it sandblasted?

Don't know yet on sandblasting. We'll at least have to do some localized stripping down to check for rust in usual known places -- a-pillars, spring hangers, etc. We'll know more once they do a good power wash. The car is pretty sound for the most part, but we'll just have to see.

Good luck with yours. When you get it back (and things get warmer) I'll have to take a nice motorcycle trip up your way to check it out.

 

[BlueMax]

Drew, I wish you good luck with your paint job, it can be very stressful time for you. Some say that they are all the same. If they were then we all would be driving Ferrari’s, but don’t cut yourself short on materials, their truly is a difference. Hope to see some photos along the way!!

 

[Keith_M]

Good luck with yours. When you get it back (and things get warmer) I'll have to take a nice motorcycle trip up your way to check it out.

...and I'll plan a trip in my BT7 to see yours!

 

[drooartz]

Drew, I wish you good luck with your paint job, it can be very stressful time for you. Some say that they are all the same. If they were then we all would be driving Ferrari’s, but don’t cut yourself short on materials, their truly is a difference. Hope to see some photos along the way!!

Thanks. It's the first time I've had paint and bodywork done, will be an interesting process for sure. I'll keep y'all informed as it goes along.

...and I'll plan a trip in my BT7 to see yours!

Sounds like a plan. :eagerness: