Cottage industry thoughts

[1978 NYB]

The problem these days is a lot of repair shops are only doing quick turn around jobs. Unlike the few that do complete classic body restorations (like Chris in Phoenix). Too hard to find sheet metal and don't want to tie up a lot of time in fabrication when they can repair and find all the replacement panels on a 2012 Fiat in days. I've had several shops turn me down with my 78 NYB just because they just didn't want to when they can make a ton of money on late model collision work.

 

[Bruzilla]

That was a problem we ran into as well. The fix turned out to be using Craigslist to find an experienced P&B guy who works at a shop but also does work on the side at home. The car we had was a victim of a tree fall, with damage to the fenders, roof, and passenger quarter panel. He fixed all the damage, welded in some new metal where he found rust, got all the little dings out, changed the color from B5 Blue to black, and the price was $2,300 out-the-door and it was done in five weeks.