John STI

I am looking for a recommendation for somebody to restore an old-ish car. I have most of the parts, but no skill and little money.
Need someone to do a fairly good job of welding and painting without just using 1 cwt of filler.
Near Edinburgh would be a bonus, but could travel.
Has anyone had this done before?
Probably need small/self employed place looking for a job to fill in the odd hour or two over the winter, no great rush on this - I've spent 7 years on it so far.
Thanks for any replies.

John Stevenson

What kind of car is it John ?

Numptie

John - I've got a similar, zero progress, project (it's a 1961 Auto Union - 3 cylinder / 2 stroke ! ).

I've thought of going down the road you suggest but I've decided against it.

Call me a cynic; but I don't believe garage businesses based on enthusiam for all thing petrol exist anymore

If you give your car to a garage on the basis you suggest, they'll take it - in fact they'll bite yer hand aff ! Much, much, later one of two (or both) things will happen: it'll cost you a fortune or it'll be nowhere near completion.

The problem is, you have no control.

My advice is to find a garage which is capable. Agree a relaxed schedule and a reduced price to match. That way, you have something to get at them with if (when ?) they don't produce.

Sorry if I sound like a harbinger of pessimistic stuff.

John STI

John
It's a Vauxhall Firenza, (rally car, of course). Then I'll be back to trash your nimble wee Fiesta round Kames!! or at least looking for some lessons.

Numptie
Yep, well aware of the "oh, it's taken longer than we thought" school of making extra profits. Car is a bare shell so at least they will see all that needs done. I can do the mechanicals, just not show std resprays.

There must be someone, somewhere. Likely to be in magazines once finished so good publicity angle as well.

GEORGEB

SEE WWW.JOHNSTONSOFCATRINE.COM He restores many cars and specialises in classic competition cars. I rally a 1973 mk1 escort and that is where all preparation and repairs are done. Give him a call and ask for Johnny. The distance is not a problem as he will collect it if necessary.

Hope this helps

Miles

AOL!

I've got an 1954 Sunbeam Alpine which I'm restoring with a friend, and due to a lack of skills, all we've accomplished in a year is drinking cups of coffee whilst looking at it. Eventually when we have the time (and the money) it'll be back on the road

simmy

I've got a 1961 Hillman Minx sitting in a garage, hopefully get round to starting on it one day, even looking at it would be a start

Stuart

John Stevenson

Stuart, my brother in law has two old Minx's one for restoration the other is being scrapped. If you need any mechanical bits let me know.

---john---

John, a fellow East Ayrshire member is heavily into things Vauxhall and Old (mainly Chevettes HSRs) I'll ask him if he knows of anyone especially knowledgeable who could help you.

John STI

Georgeb - thanks for that, I'll bear them in mind, but somewhere closer would be preferred, so I can visit often, take pics, price work etc.

Miles - at least it is nice sitting looking at it, dreaming. I have had this car for 8 years and it was only used for 2 of them, so I've done a lot of the same.

Simmy - take lots of pics/notes, label everything, throwaway nothing until it's back on the road.

John - okay, another Snooter could be helpfull.

GEORGEB

He would post pictures on his website as he went along as he has done before for other customers , so distance is not a problem.

Just a thought