TallCarGuy

Dear Fellow Corvette Lunatics,

I am looking for a quality Corvette body repair shop to repair and restore my 1965 4speed 327/365 numbers matching Coupe to factory condition. I have already removed the body from the chassis, so it will go to them on a dolly. The front headlights were mangled and glassed into the nose back in the 1970's, so it will need significant work to get the nose sorted out.

This car has not been driven in over 30 years.

Any suggestions for a good reliable shop?

Richard Hille

Vet65te

Richard - It would help if you filled out your profile with your location and then mention how 'far' from home you'd be willing to send your Vette for the work.
Mike T.

TallCarGuy

Thanks Mike,

I have followed your advice, but I am willing to take the Vette anywhere in California if I can find the right shop. I am in Santa Ynez, CA.

Richard

Boyan

Carlos Vivas. c&s restorations in Nipomo. Dennis Hakim, Ventura. Dave Schwartz, Euro Body, Tarzana. Jeff Reade, American motoring memories, Culver City. In closest to furthest order. But Dave Schwartz is the only actual body shop.

TallCarGuy

Thank you, I will contact those people and see what I can put together.

Richard

Scott Marzahl

J&D Corvette Bellflower

TallCarGuy

Thanks

bogdog

Does anyone have contact info for C&S restorations in Nipomo? Still in business? Thx

Mike Geary

I've been to Jeff Reade's old shop and seen his work. Duntov level stuff. Impeccable! (All C1's.)

Another name definitely worth checking out is Steve LuVisi in Huntington Beach. Very high quality work on several C2's I've seen.

Best of luck. Mike

Rob Magnano

Hi Richard.
I just completed my 65 coupe restoration. We had to glass in a whole new front clip from the windshield forward. Do all the paint and body work. Rebuild motor and trans and restore all interior. The car had been sitting for 20 years. And I really am pleased with the results.
The person that did all the work is Jack at McJacks Corvettes located in Santa Ana Ca.
PM me and I can show you before and after pics if you like.
Also I felt his pricing was very fair.
Best of luck.
Rob.

Todd H.

A lot of these shops might be good, but I'll second the quality of Jeff Reade's shop. I went through it a few years ago, and at the time he had C1s and C2s there. The guy really knows old Corvettes.

cv67

Dougs Custom in Chatsworth

Used him a # of times no hassles, done on time done many a vette hot rod bike etc. Runs a decent shop only guy I trust

(Edit, NSV # removed)

Boyan

Carlos Vivas

Jeff Reade


Dave Schwartz

(Edit: NSV phone numbers removed)

ptjsk

Look up Chris Springer Restorations.

He's out of Los Gatos in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Absolutely phenomenal work.

At the very least, look at his web-site.

Good luck,

Pat

Beggers

Richard, one suggestion, most quality shops will want the chassis as well, to fit the body to it so that the the final body lines are correct once the body is set back on. Brian

sub006

Carlos and Sherry Vivas, Corvette Club members and C2 restorers for decades in the Torrance/Carson area, apparently have moved north. He is very experienced and knowledgeable about Sting Rays from stem to stern.

C2 Stinger

Euro Body

RonCL55

Steve is my guy and does lots of stuff to my car. He has done over 100 body off restorations and is generally recognized as the Vette guru in our area. He also is a NCRS judge if that makes a difference. He was featured on Season 2 of Foose’s Overhaulin when they redid a Vette. Does great work and I find he is reasonable with his charges.

ptjsk

Wonder what the OP ever did, as this original post was over 7 years ago.

Pat

LouieM

Yeah, it's puzzling when someone asks for help, gets a lot of it, then neglects to respond. At the very least, they're not a grateful person.