Classic Car Restoration Co. Recommendation

[GutsonBorglum]

I have a 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe 2 door Coupe that my dad and I bought from my mom's uncle many years ago. I have owned it for over 30 years. I would guestimate that it is 70-80% complete on restoration. That depends upon how much may have to be redone. It has sat for many years in a garage. I no longer want to tinker on it past maintaining it and am looking for a reputable place to finish restoration. I only want it to be weekend driver condition and not show room quality.

I recently moved from California so am unfamiliar with any options in the area. We are in Ardmore but I am willing to transport within a few hours distance. I would like to keep costs reasonable. I'm not looking to spend 50k.

For those recent posts that I have seen on this site regarding people wearing masks and/or homeless issues, you have not seen anything till you have visited the socialist republic of California. I kept thinking that they could turn it around and that no one could be that stupid. Well, I was wrong. I am a firm believer that a major factor in keeping the USA from going down the drain rather than just swirling around the bowl is the second amendment. Sorry for the rant. I'm just happy to be in the land of the free states.

 

[TinkerTanker]

You're going to be hard pressed to find someone to work on it for the next couple of years. Everyone's getting maintenance they put off during covid done now and mechs are booked well into the new year in some locations. They treat restorations as "non-cash flowing work" too, so that makes them low priority.

Having said that, if you do it one step at a time you might get some good results. Say you want the front end rebuilt. Well, take it in for a front end lube and a checkup to see if anything is loose. He'll find things, you tell him to replace them, and the job cash-flows for him. He's happy, you're happy, and you're one step closer.

Continue the process as you go through the rest of the car.

One more thing, I also have a classic and have had work done. I'll tell you one very important thing: they won't care about your car even 50% as much as you do. The work will never be as good as you'd do yourself. Don't expect it to be. You can always finesse it afterward if you're unhappy, but don't expect the same level of dedication to your baby that you'd put in from any paid mechanic. A few years ago I finally gave up and just did my own work.

 

[AKmoose]

Sweet ride! No reccomendations other than above, do it yourself, nobody takes pride in their work like doing it yourself. Glad you could escape the granola state (fruits and nuts) with respect for the 2nd.

 

[John6185]

Yep, count on no one to do it as well as yourself! My son took a Karman Ghia to a shop and after they finished with it he found that they plastered bondo on some of the rusty panels and he had to take it to another shop (Dallas area) for a redo. If you are not standing over the work watching what they are doing they'll take shortcuts.

 

[JD8]

I have a 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe 2 door Coupe that my dad and I bought from my mom's uncle many years ago. I have owned it for over 30 years. I would guestimate that it is 70-80% complete on restoration. That depends upon how much may have to be redone. It has sat for many years in a garage. I no longer want to tinker on it past maintaining it and am looking for a reputable place to finish restoration. I only want it to be weekend driver condition and not show room quality.

I recently moved from California so am unfamiliar with any options in the area. We are in Ardmore but I am willing to transport within a few hours distance. I would like to keep costs reasonable. I'm not looking to spend 50k.

For those recent posts that I have seen on this site regarding people wearing masks and/or homeless issues, you have not seen anything till you have visited the socialist republic of California. I kept thinking that they could turn it around and that no one could be that stupid. Well, I was wrong. I am a firm believer that a major factor in keeping the USA from going down the drain rather than just swirling around the bowl is the second amendment. Sorry for the rant. I'm just happy to be in the land of the free states.

View attachment 287685View attachment 287686View attachment 287687View attachment 287688View attachment 287689View attachment 287690

Where are you located? OKC area? Tulsa area?

 

[PanhandleGlocker]

Where are you located? OKC area? Tulsa area?

Looks like he’s in Ardmore

 

[MP43]

There are a couple of restoration shops in NE Oklahoma that I'm comfortable with, but I have no experience with any in your area. What I'd do is go to some local car shows and ask owners about their experiences. Most are very happy to talk about their cars and you'll soon develop a list of shops that can be trusted and, just as importantly, ones to avoid.

 

[Kid Glock]

Here's my current project, should be on the road in about a month. It's been a slow go.
I'm somewhat like you in that I dont want either a show car or racer, but a nice daily driver if I choose to do so. Yours looks nice and doesnt need much???
There's an area builder (Clint Fisher) in Cushing, OK known as Dangerous Motors. I know the owner and several guys he's done cars/bikes for. Although he didnt do mine, I think he does a good job.
I agree that if you have the time, place and inclination to do yourself and hire done the stuff you cant, you'll likely save a few bucks, it'll be done the way you want and will have self-satisfaction of basically completing it yourself. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Kid Glock]

Here's an old project, not the vehicle but fabricating the mount.
Young patriot in pic is one of my gsons guarding upper Cimarron River from taliban sub attack and isis infiltrators... Dont laugh, I bet youve never seen a taliban sub above Keystone Dam...
Pic is from about 5 years ago when ammo was more affordable. Gson has heavy thumbs, heavy on the butterfly that is. Marksmanship and trigger discipline...

 

[Kid Glock]

My apologies. One last pic and am through hijacking this thread.
Neighbors new mower...