Antique Car Restoration Places

[GiftBlogger]

I have a 1963 Ford Falcon convertible that desperately needs new seats and a paint job. I've gotten some really high quotes. Like $3000 to paint the car which seems insane and $2500 for new seats.

Does anyone know of a good place in Southern California to have this done?

[InDebtInDC]

Oh my, those prices are right on par with the average restoration cost. Keep in mind that it can run as high as $40k to properly restore a car.

Since you're in SoCal, I don't think you can throw a rock and not hit a custom restoration shop.

I don't know where you are specifically, but I recommend cruising Friday/Saturday night hangouts and look for the custom car crowd. Ask them where they go and if they have an online forum.

That's how I usually found niche car communities.

[LuxLiving]

I would think that there are places to just get a car painted that aren't custom restoration rates. Depends on what you're after. Are you trying to get it 'cherry'? If not keep calling around and asking. Here we have vocational schools that will paint a car for less than you can get it done elsewhere. Be prepared for them to keep your car for a much longer timeframe.

[InDebtInDC]

Originally Posted by LuxLiving

I would think that there are places to just get a car painted that aren't custom restoration rates. Depends on what you're after. Are you trying to get it 'cherry'? If not keep calling around and asking.

While this is okay for a newer car, for a classic car like this, the parts are very expensive and rare to find. I would be afraid that a normal paint shop would not know how to treat a classic car and would damage the hard to replace parts, which are most likely already fragile and easy to break.

Since the OP also needs upholstery work done, most custom shops have an in-house upholstery guy that can get it done without outsourcing = faster turnaround time.

I didn't know if downtime was important, but LuxLiving brought it up. Blame her.

Originally Posted by LuxLiving

Here we have vocational schools that will paint a car for less than you can get it done elsewhere. Be prepared for them to keep your car for a much longer timeframe.

I would not do this unless it is a car you just want to get done cheaply. Keep in mind that I used to be one of those kids in the vocational schools. I know what they do to customer's cars


Since you're in SoCal, which is like the central of the custom car community in the US, you shouldn't have problems finding a shop. If you still have problems finding a good shop, shoot me a PM and I'll reach out to my friends in SoCal.

[disneysteve]

I agree that painting a classic car is not like taking your beater to Maaco for the $129 job. Actually, I wouldn't be at all surprised if doing it right was more than $3,000.

I can't help you with anyone in your area. You might want to pick up a copy of Hemmings on the newstand and check the ads.

[Seeker]

Actually you may want to contact a club or association of sorts to ask for recommendations.

While your needs are more superficial (relating to the looks), and not operational (mechanical), they are still important and you should not pick anyone to perform these jobs.


FCA On The Web/FCA Local Chapters

At the bottom of the above link there's an Azusa, CA link and telephone number which I believe would be relatively close to you in LA county.

River City Chapter Falcon Club of America

At this link there's a good start for upgrading, but this is River City, which is Northern CA. West Coast Falcons may also have a San Diego based organization, but I've not been able to reach that branch tonight. And the below is to Sonoma County:

SCFF Home

Hopefully they can provide points of contacts or recommendations for you.

[InDebtInDC]

Originally Posted by Seeker

Hopefully they can provide points of contacts or recommendations for you.

Like I said, car guys want to be helpful and they like the attention. When you get in touch with the group, there are likely to be somebody there who can refer you to the right person.

[GiftBlogger]

Thanks for all the advice and help.