auto buffs
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,347
Likes: 36
From: San Clemente CA
Sounds kind of low. Have you seen any of their Corvette work or talked to any references ( Corvettes that have been done there)?
As you know that kind of money would get a nice paint job on most cars but vettes??? Different animal.
As you know that kind of money would get a nice paint job on most cars but vettes??? Different animal.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,202
Likes: 17
I have been through dozens of body shops, with all kinds of corvettes! Get references of others who had corvettes painted by them. That is the first step! If you have established that they can actually do the work, then have them look at the car, and get an estimate.
Some shops only actually work on your car when you are present! I had a 68 427 in for nearly 8 months one time, and darn near had to call the sheriff! I actually ended up doing most of the work on it myself!
Make sure the shop knows how corvettes are put together, and not the way they think they should be!
Get a time line established, but you don't want them to rush the job!
Discuss what you want done, and come up with a flat rate price! My current situation, it was hard to find a shop that would do the work, and do it well for a reasonable price!
I got my body shop to replace rear quarters, taillamp panel, fix the front fenders, repair broken wheel well lip, repair section in the lower front, repair previous minor accident damage to rear upper deck, strip entire car, correct door body alignment, which was horrible, pull all glass and weather strip, repaint with the best stuff around for 6k
I will do much of the reassembly, but they will install the glass and door guts when done!
My theory is this, show them the car, and tell them what you can afford, and see if you can meet! Be wary of shops that take on a tons of insurance work, and look for one that does a mix of walk ins as well.
Some shops only actually work on your car when you are present! I had a 68 427 in for nearly 8 months one time, and darn near had to call the sheriff! I actually ended up doing most of the work on it myself!
Make sure the shop knows how corvettes are put together, and not the way they think they should be!
Get a time line established, but you don't want them to rush the job!
Discuss what you want done, and come up with a flat rate price! My current situation, it was hard to find a shop that would do the work, and do it well for a reasonable price!
I got my body shop to replace rear quarters, taillamp panel, fix the front fenders, repair broken wheel well lip, repair section in the lower front, repair previous minor accident damage to rear upper deck, strip entire car, correct door body alignment, which was horrible, pull all glass and weather strip, repaint with the best stuff around for 6k
I will do much of the reassembly, but they will install the glass and door guts when done!
My theory is this, show them the car, and tell them what you can afford, and see if you can meet! Be wary of shops that take on a tons of insurance work, and look for one that does a mix of walk ins as well.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 554
Likes: 0
From: Corvette Sales, Service, Parts & Restoration West Chester Pa
Like mentioned before - it's impossible to estimate paint work on these older cars without stripping them down and assesing prior fiberglass repair/damage. Your never know what you'll find. We run into these situations constantly.
