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SoCal Restoration Shops

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Curt Johnson

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I am looking for a shop to restore my A-H 3000. I was given the name of someone in Paso Robles (I think) but I lost it, can someone tell me who that is? Or I would also like to find someone in Ventura County that is good for Healey restoration.
 
Eric Grunden of Absolutely British in Santa Maria. (805) 349-1000

XKs Unlimited in SLO also restores Healeys. (805) 544-7864

Ventura county's a pretty small place - doubt if there's anyone there.

You might call Moss in Goleta and see if they know of anyone local.

Russ Thompson in Northridge. (818) 256-0693
 
YEP , Eric Grunden of Absolutely British in Santa Maria. (805) 349-1000
is one guy :


There is also Peters Marina Motors in Playa Del Rey very good too.@ 310-399-8313
 
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Did that guy in Piru close?
 
Bad news! I did not get a reply to the message I left for Eric Gundren, so when I was going by Santa Maria I stopped at his shop. It was closed up when it was supposed to be open, and from what I could see inside it looked like he was packing things up. A guy in a neighboring shop told me he is "moving up north", but he did not know where and no information was left in the window of the shop in Santa Maria. He may end up too far away from me, if he is even still in business. Does anyone here have more information about Eric?
I also had a name and number for a shop in Burbank that works on/restores Healeys but I seem to have lost it. Anyone know anything about that?
 
Also, check out British European Auto in San Pedro, CA (http://britishcar.la/). They work on all manner of British cars. I was in last week for my Jaguar E-type and they were in the midst of a restoration on an Austin Healey including 3 Webers. There were lots of other AH in the shop along with Jaguars, MGs, Triumphs, etc... Heck they were working on an English Cab. The shop is owned by Jeff Taw and managed by Dane Cuoto. They do all the various stages of restoration in house. Good luck, James.
 
I just got off the phone with Russ Thompson at "Thompson British Car" in Northridge. I am making arrangements to bring the car to him. Thanks for the tip Steve, turns out Russ's shop is probably the closest one to me. I suppose when it is finally back on the road after 18 years (found in a garage) I'll have to join the Healey Club.
 
Curt Johnson said:
I just got off the phone with Russ Thompson at "Thompson British Car" in Northridge. I am making arrangements to bring the car to him. Thanks for the tip Steve, turns out Russ's shop is probably the closest one to me. I suppose when it is finally back on the road after 18 years (found in a garage) I'll have to join the Healey Club.
Click to expand...

Good idea to join the club. We have a lot of activities up your way.
 
Bob_Spidell said:
If anyone hears about Eric Grunden--has he relocated, or gone out of business?--please let us know.
Click to expand...
Eric is now in Douglas City, CA (near Redding). He does full restorations. Iā€™ve been with him for my ā€˜65 Austin Healey BJ8 since 2006. He is excellent. 530-623-3438.
Nelson Tharp
 
Curt Johnson said:
I just got off the phone with Russ Thompson at "Thompson British Car" in Northridge. I am making arrangements to bring the car to him. Thanks for the tip Steve, turns out Russ's shop is probably the closest one to me. I suppose when it is finally back on the road after 18 years (found in a garage) I'll have to join the Healey Club.
Click to expand...
You are not making any mistake if anybody knows a Healey Russ is da one---Keoke!
 
Nelson Tharp said:
Eric is now in Douglas City, CA (near Redding). He does full restorations. Iā€™ve been with him for my ā€˜65 Austin Healey BJ8 since 2006. He is excellent. 530-623-3438.
Nelson Tharp
Click to expand...
He is working on my car now. He is meticulous and extremely knowledgeable. Eric's a one man show, as he doesn't want to be responsible for anything that wasn't done correctly by someone else. His attention to detail is almost OCD, which we'd all want with our mechanics, right? If I can, he was one of Kurt Tanners mechanics. I may follow up this post latter after I pick up my car. Four hour drive...
 
Advanced Automotive in Lompoc for the engine & drivetrain, coupled with Hot Rod Alley for the body & paint do a great job.

They just finished up a Sunbeam Tiger.

They do a lot of Mopar stuff.

Rocky
 

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