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*LILRED66* · 12-02-2009, 11:42 PM

I just finished a punch list on a '64 Chevy C20 lwb fleetside truck, that the owner took to a "hack-master" masquerading as a restoration shop. It ended up at my shop after several months of broken promises and the help of the local Sheriffs Department, because the shop owner would not surrender the truck to the rightful owner, even though the owner was willing to accept the truck with many of the items, that were paid for in advance, were not complete. After much wrangling with the owner, I suggested the owner of the truck contact the Sheriff Department to assist him in recovering the truck. With title, proof of insurance and many photos of the truck, to show rightful ownership, the owner of the truck met the Sheriff at the shop and firmly suggested that the shop owner surrender the truck to it's rightful owner.

Long story short, here are a few items that made the punch list the truck owner hired me to complete or correct:

1. The new ceramic-coated headers were cut off at the collectors and the exhaust pipe was friction fit over the 4 small tubes. The hangers were #4 rebar welded directly to the frame rails and the exhaust pipe, where ever convenient.

2. In order to tuck the exhaust, the C20 cab mounts were torched, to allow the mufflers to clear. One was completely distroyed and the other had a scallop torched out of it.

3. The fuel tank straps were not installed.

4. There was overspray on every piece of rubber, the brightwork and glass.

I did a list consisting of over 50 minor detail items, that any good, reputable restoration shop, worth their salt, would have completed before taking the owner's money or releasing the truck to the owner.

In closing, if the shop is a mess, there are several half-cooked projects sitting around collection dust, it is a good indication that your prized possession will become part of the herd. Additionally, if a shop insists on a percentage of the total cost down, prior to commencing work, grab you keys and run. This shop is paying last months rent with your money, that is supposed to be used to purchase supplies for your truck.

12-02-2009, 11:42 PM	#25
LILRED66 Account Suspended Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas City, KS Posts: 3,906	Re: Cost of restoration I just finished a punch list on a '64 Chevy C20 lwb fleetside truck, that the owner took to a "hack-master" masquerading as a restoration shop. It ended up at my shop after several months of broken promises and the help of the local Sheriffs Department, because the shop owner would not surrender the truck to the rightful owner, even though the owner was willing to accept the truck with many of the items, that were paid for in advance, were not complete. After much wrangling with the owner, I suggested the owner of the truck contact the Sheriff Department to assist him in recovering the truck. With title, proof of insurance and many photos of the truck, to show rightful ownership, the owner of the truck met the Sheriff at the shop and firmly suggested that the shop owner surrender the truck to it's rightful owner. Long story short, here are a few items that made the punch list the truck owner hired me to complete or correct: 1. The new ceramic-coated headers were cut off at the collectors and the exhaust pipe was friction fit over the 4 small tubes. The hangers were #4 rebar welded directly to the frame rails and the exhaust pipe, where ever convenient. 2. In order to tuck the exhaust, the C20 cab mounts were torched, to allow the mufflers to clear. One was completely distroyed and the other had a scallop torched out of it. 3. The fuel tank straps were not installed. 4. There was overspray on every piece of rubber, the brightwork and glass. I did a list consisting of over 50 minor detail items, that any good, reputable restoration shop, worth their salt, would have completed before taking the owner's money or releasing the truck to the owner. In closing, if the shop is a mess, there are several half-cooked projects sitting around collection dust, it is a good indication that your prized possession will become part of the herd. Additionally, if a shop insists on a percentage of the total cost down, prior to commencing work, grab you keys and run. This shop is paying last months rent with your money, that is supposed to be used to purchase supplies for your truck.