I've been looking for a '32-'34 body for a while. I want a 5 window and, since the originals are soooooo pricey, I might order a gl*** body. I recently acquired a '33 ch***is so I may buy a '33/'34 5 window but there aren't many guys making 'em I found a guy in Florida that SEEMS to build a really nice unchopped body but I've never heard of him. Same goes for a few others that make Deuce 5 windows. Everybody wants 50% down. How did you handle the $$$... did you get a signed contract that specified a delivery date for the body... did you use an escrow account? I have no problem flying down and looking the builders place over. The Florida guy may even build my body on my frame... I like that idea. Lemme know what ya think.
Saw that but I won't have cashola until this summer... and I'm not sure I'll live long enough to get body back into shape...
Back when Gibbons Fibergl*** was in SC ... a few folks I know took their ch***is to Darlington where the plant was and had Gibbons build a body on their ch***is. I was TOLD No money changed hands until they went and picked up the ch***is/body combination. The ch***is was considered enough of a deposit. A contract was written and signed by both sides. I am just reporting what I was told. I never spent any money with Gibbons but did go there 4 or 5 times with friends who did. In the beginning, the work was fairly good and OK but as time went on ... the work got worse and worse.
You could always use a Credit card . That way you can do what they call a 'charge back' if the item never arrives. Basically, the credit card company takes the charge off your card (and takes the $$ away from the seller) until the issue is resolved. Personally, I wouldnt hunk down a ****load of cash to any compamny I never heard of before... They need a website and testimonials and OKs from HAMB guys to at least peak my interest... And fibergl***? NO WAY.
Can't expect a shop to start working on your car for free, there's a lot of flakes out there who talk big but can't pay up when the job's done. 50% (or at least the cost of materials) is ussually common place to get a project started.
I think a deposit is fair, and 50% might be what is needed, but i wouldn't just give it to someone half-way to Brazil from you. Find their website, post their name on the HAMB-and other lesser web-sites, check their reputation in Florida, maybe ask for references and names of others that they've built for. These are hard times and even some good shops might be cutting corners so you'd need to stay on top of your build. If they're any good, someone will know abou them.
Put the guys info up on the HAMB- someone will know him or of him and give you honest advice. In my shop I ask for a deposit- but not if you are buying product- and I even sell Chris Allston Ch***is- its $$$ up front for product. And as for cutting corners becuase of the economy- NOT HERE- its wrong and builds a cheaper vehicle. No thanks
I have bought quite a few bodies over the years. Every time paid a deposit up front if they didn't have one in stock. The last one was from Steve at Limeworks (limeysteve on here). I would never buy a gl*** body without seeing one in person, the way it comes from the mold, not a done car. (Unless it was a Wescott or another brand I had used). As far as a company I didn't previously know about, i would do a ton of research, not only to make sure they are solvent enough to stick around long enough to deliver, but also to make sure the quality is there.
With so many bankruptsies and problems lately it would be a good idea to be careful like Krooser is trying to do.
Like chopshop said,,Put his name & address on a post.There are plenty of us Florida guys here & someone will probably know of him or heard of his reputation.
A friend of mine ordered a gl*** 49 Merc body a few years ago from a place in the Virginia (I think?) and put 50% down(around $5000 I believe). Never got the car, and never got the $ back, so be careful.
First look to buy a fibergl*** body from a second party at a discounted rate. I've seen plenty of instances where someone is selling a fibergl*** body (usually in gel coat or primer) right off their ch***is because they're replacing it with another (usually steel) body. Ie; Someone buys a ch***is with a fibergl*** body and decides to go with a Brookville body. I'd be leary of buying a body from a made to order shop unless as mentioned you could put a deposit with a credit card. Maybee buy a body from a large manufacturer that has one in stock.
Here's the outfit's webpage... http://www.cl***iccoupesandcarts.com/id2.html Real pricey but not too many guys are doing five windows. I like the hinges, the hinged windshield and a few other details. I could always haul a load to Florida (I'm a trucker) and take a look see in person. I'm way too familiar with these horror stories about shops taking deposits then leaving in the dark of night. I sure wouldn't think twice about buying a Wescott or other known brand but look what happened to Gibbon, Downs and several others... ****! They're gone! Keep the opinions coming... and, yea, I'd sooner have a steel car but I feel older than BobK and I'd sure like to drive the car rather than just get a ride in it on the way to the cemetary...
I like the way the top is open so you could install a cloth top like the originals 10 grand looks like a good price. Wonder if they have one in stock ??? .
I like that, too. I also like the original-style windshield and such. Lots of vintage style stuff. Nice looking detail on the door latches, original style inner door panels (I've seen some that were hacked open with a sawzall).
You might read a post by CDANSIE 6/26/08 Re: Legend Motors/ Downs Manufacturing. Give you a idea about what can happen to a good company when you pay up front.
Call Doug White at Show Me Rod and Custom http://www.showmerodandcustom.com/ . They are in SW Missouri between Springfield and Branson. Make an excellent product and will build on your ch***is. He built my 32 Ford roadster body six years ago. No problems. And he asked for a minimal amount of money up front.
Since you have the opportunity to visit the shop, do so at your earliest convenience. You should be able to make a reasonable ***essment of the guy's capability by looking at the product and his shop. THEN, ask for references--previous customers, even some creditors. Find out out first hand what his reputation is. Have previous customers been satisfied with his work? Does he pay his bills? (on time?). Then find out what his terms are. Since you have mobility in your favor, is there a chance that you can schedule "progress" checks while the body is under construction. If so would the guy agree to progress payments?
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