After a good paint and panel guy with an eye for detail in Sydney to do resto work on my type 34 ghia. Any ideas?

Indian has a Ghia that they did a couple of years ago, that's now a resident. Worth checking out. They've been doing my Split Bus and very happy with it, they also use Londonderry Smash (Tony). The guy is an artist, most stuff is hand formed, not import repro weld in stuff, so depends how fussy you are.

Guess the best advice is to go and visit a bunch of shops, see what they're doing, what you fell comfortable with - is as much a personal relationship than anything else, and some people get along better with some and not others if you know what I mean.

Depends if you're buying on price - or pushing for a quick fix - my experience is that it takes a long time, and best to do a bit at a time, which is good for cash flow and marital bliss.

You could also try Rebel Restorations in West Gosford. Stunning work - they did a wide-guard conversion on a Nissan Fairlady for a mate of mine. How much metal work does it need? Or is it just paint and asembly?

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated. I will follow up on these leads. My ghia is a daily driver and it does require moderate metal work. Rust repairs to the front apron, both doors due to 30 year old rubbers not doing their job, straightening of the rear apron, small dent removals from roof, nose and rear as well as rust repair to the battery tray panel. I have spoken to about 6 classic car resto places in Sydney and have quotes of $15000-$20000 + for the above repairs and bare metal respray. What I have found is that no panel guy will provide a quote just a ball park figure which may escalate after the paint has been stripped. This worries me as my cash is limited. I have thought about doing it is small stages but I'm not too sure where to start. I want to do a bare metal respray with glasurit and also have the engine completely restored. I'm thinking of having Andrew Dodd do this for me. Is it best to have the rust done first and then have the car stripped and then have the engine done or is it better to try to do the whole thing at once? This is the only car I have and I am trying not to have it laid up for more than 2-3 months at a time. Any further advice on how best to approach the resto work would be very helpful. Thanks M

You would have to be fair to understand that it would be impossible to give a fixed price on something like that. The only way to get a closer estimate would be to get it stripped to bare metal first and that will show up pretty much everything the body may have to hide.

Otherwise it would be like a doctor trying to diagnose without x-rays, blood tests and internal examinations

i was just about to say something very similar helbus, well put.

Fair point. I understand that a firm quote requires a clear understanding of what needs to be done and I mean no disrespect to any paint and panel guys out there. I suppose I am after advice as to how to best manage a job which has the potential to get out of control when it comes to the budget. So far I have not been able to find a panel/paint person who specialises or has even done a type 3 ghia previously and who is prepared to give me a costing based on an hourly rate and the visible work needed to be done. What I seem to be getting is some tyre kicking a quick once over and an estimate - paint $7000-$8000, repairs $5000 and then some and it might cost up to $20 000 if something ugly turns up. How do you encourage a tradesman to at least give a written quote based on the work requested with an understanding of possible extras based on unforeseen repairs? Any advice on how best to manage a situation like this would be greatly appreciated. This is the first major resto job I have undertaken and I'm trying do this without getting ripped off. Cheers



[Edited on 22-6-2005 by Michael Evans]

[Edited on 22-6-2005 by Michael Evans]

why dont you buy yourself a welder etc and have a go , you will save yourself shitloads , also at the end you can get the satisfaction that you did it yourself , if you can not weld just get some scrap and practise it will be quiker than waiting for someone else to do it for you and you will be absolutly sure of what is under the paint. this is also a good way so you could do small repairs at a time without taking the car of the road , then when its at a standard you are happy with take it to a painter and they can give it a lick for you.

I have given some though to the idea of getting myself a welder and have decided that it really deserves a job well done. I know my limitations and know that the best I could do will never be as good as a professional and at the end of the day the job should be done correctly. Some people pick up welding and metal shaping really quickly unfortunately I'm totally crap at that sought of stuff. Could save me shit loads of cash but more than likely I will stuff it up. Thanks for your input though.
Below is a link to a picture of the car. I'd be interested in hearing what is the best way forward.
Cheers

http://www.imagehosting.us/?id=556563&type=viewpic 





[Edited on 23-6-2005 by Michael Evans]

[Edited on 23-6-2005 by Michael Evans]