Mr. Ed,
Thanks for your reply - I'll PM you shortly. BTW, some excellent reasons to bring my cars to your shop. Part of my reason for working at my place is that I do not want my cars damaged, placed outside or out of my care. Of course some of the big stuff may have to be done at a shop. However, I'll have a lift soon and the other 99,999 misc. pieces can be purchased. You charge what you charge to provide me with quality and account for ALL of your time. But at the end of the job, you are accountable for your work. It may cost more on the front end, but will save me an enormous amount of money on the back end. I expect 100% of what you tell me you can do to be done. This is not about economics but a guy ready to get out of the hobby due to all the bad guys I have encountered in this business – especially in the Dallas area - from crooks, liars to just bad business men. I want it on my terms and willing to pay a premium for it on my terms … cash is not endless, but is not my biggest concern. This is a right guy scenario. Most would (and should) back away from what I am asking for. So, for the badazz muscle car mechanic that can bring the skills – I can supply the tools if need be – let me hear from ya’.
-F/O
Originally Posted by edvancedengines
Frameoff,
I can do all you requested but also can't. I really do not think you will find a tech of the calibre you are speaking that will do housecalls. The only waay I personally would consider such a thing is if you had a well equipped shop and I were to spend some time learing where everything is in it.
I know Muscle Cars pretty much as well as anyone in that particular end of the industry. I lived them and worked on them all my life.
There are several Mobil Mechanics in the area who can do basic stuff, tune-ups, brake jobs etc. You will not find any traveling mechancic/tech or whatever with 100,000.00 or more of tools and equipment in their vans. Most guys also do not invest a ton of money in tools and equipment if they have no clue how to use them.
There are several speciality shops that specialise in certain vehicles. I have a neighbor that does good regular work on early and muscle cars. NO way possible any of his mechanics/techs would consider to leave thier shop to do any work without all their tools near them though.
I have ocassionally broken my rule of not working on anything unless it is here, and every time I get bit. I lose tools that way. I end up having to take 4 times as long to do something becuase the right tools to do it are too far away to go back and get. Or I end up going back to get the right tools.
The real quirk to trying to help someone even a regular good customer by accomadating them and trying to work in their garge is that they ten feel becuase you are not working in your shop you should reduce the costs to them. So now for me to leave my shop to do work even for best customers is more money, not less. I am inconviencied, I am forced to work at a handi-cap which slows my work times, by not using my own tools in my own shop and by not being in my shop, I can not conduct my business as I normally do with phones etc.
Don't mean to disappoint you or to throw any Monkey Wrench in what you are thinking. Of Course you can find someone to come work at your house. Labor is always available.
I could not house your vehicle becuase my shop is already too small for my tools/equipment and needs. My next door neighbor has plenty of rooom but you will pay well or he will not touch a car. His mechanics/techs are very good and the shop is huge with 5 lift bays.
Ed