Help body work people

[bigdaz]

I need these areas of the Granada sorted, I've been to 6 body shops over the last few weeks two where so called classic car specialists and all I've heard is sorry not something we want to get involved in or insurance work only sorry, one advised me to use filler and Seam sealer and do it my self, I've found it so frustrating it actually brought me to tears today
all I want is it to look presentable 
and be solid, but repaired properly are the people who own body shops minted and cheery pick the nice stuf 
I used to be a taxi driver and I did any work that came of the phone or rank if I only waited for the airport runs or well paid jobs I would of never maid any money, anyway rant over, 
i would have a bash at doing it my self but I really have no idea where to start if anyone can help with body shops local ish to Oxford or with what's involved  I will be  eternally grateful 

[skylinedave]

Hi , to be honest that does look like the tip of the iceberg to be honest , Wheel arch , chassis rail and whatever that other bit is . Look likes to get it done properly may cost a lot .

[bigdaz]

I'm not expecting it to be cheep, I don't mind paying to have it done properly it's finding someone that's able and willing that's the problem, I'd love to do it my self but I really don't know where to start and if it's a good idea for me to try,

[skylinedave]

I would not have a clue on cost but more than likely once they start poking holes they will find more . I don't know , it might cost £1500 -2000 even .

[Dez]

Most 'body shops' seem less and less interested I doing actual welding repairs these days, they just want quick hammer-filler-paint jobs.

You need to take it to a proper restorer, to do things like that sill end and chassis rail are fairly involved repairs, and possibly a bit of a can of worms too- beyond the scope of body shops these days, if you want it done properly anyways.

Where are you located?

[skylinedave]

www.classiccarprojectshop.com/

Weston On The Green .

Proper place have a look .

[bigdaz]

I'm in Oxford, thanks for the link that's only up the road from me,

[skylinedave]

Chesterton coachworks as well , Used to be at Enslow i don't where now , maybe Bicester . I don't know what they are like but i know they have bben around 30 years or so doing old Porsches etc , but that may mean they are too snooty or expensive . There is a bodyshop at the first turn to Abingdon by Lodge Hill Car sales , i think that place is supposed to be ok .


There is somewhere else near there as well where a friend gets his minis done , i will ask him where it is tomorrow .

[bigdaz]

There's s few places that specialise in classic cars but unless you have a vintage roller or an mg they turn there nose up, I've not trired those to tho thank you, it might not be everyone's idea of a classic car but I love it like its my forth child, I think the photos make it like ok a lot worse then it really is like the wheel arch the only rust is what you can see the arch lip is good and so is the inner arch and the chassis is only the outer skin so still an mot pass
And the part by the end of the sill is only a tiny hole and the surrounding metal still feels solid, the car has never been welded so no nasty mot welding

[sarkie83]

I feel your pain - I've struggled getting anywhere to do any welding on my Capri...I found EXACTLY the same problem - most body shops aren't interested unless it's insurance work, or just think you are insane for wanting work down and it's so frustrating!! I'm ok with mechanical work but have no bodywork experience/know of anyone that does... I did take a bodywork course a good few years ago to teach some of the basics like welding, bit of panel beating and spraying - but when your car is sitting in front of you, you have no idea where to start and no plan B to fall back on you start wondering what to do... With the Granada I would ask around the owners club and see if there are any specialists - then pester the hell out of them until they take the job on ;-) Now as for then getting it painted...hmmm :-)

[bigdaz]

Well today before work I thought I would go and find the place in western on the green and found this other place called d&m restoration and as they where half way though a Capri and a Sierra cosworth I thought they might be worth talking to so I had a chat with a nice chap called Pete, who showed me the work he had done before and what he was currently doing, he said he was happy to do the work which is a good start and that if I brought it down next week when I was off and left it with him for the day he would have a good look over her and be able to give me a price, he was happy to do it a bit at a time so I can spread the cost to which is good, so I'm a bit happier today

[skylinedave]

Excellent . glad it helped .

[kevins]

when you talk to your restorer you may also be able to save yourself some cash by doing some of the prep and after work yourself, for instance to do the chassis rail most of the carpet and trim is going to have to come out, so you could strip the interior and deliver it with just a drivers seat, after the welding you may be able to do the painting.

[breng]

I purchased a set of side skirts and a boot spoiler for my Audi A6.

They are fibreglass and good quality.

The bodyshops I went to pulled a face and stated that it would cost around £500 to paint and fit. They made it clear that they did'nt really want to do the job, so I went shopping and bought everything I need.

It would seem that most only want to do smart repairs now - quick turnaround.

It leaves me in a dilemma now - I have a car that needs respraying and it will be a nightmare to get somebody to do it for a reasonable price.

[bigdaz]

Ok still having problem trying to get somewhere to do the body work, I went to a body shop today and told them I wanted to get a bit done at a time and not to worry about painting it as I would get a complete respray next year, they said they would only do the repairs if they painted after ? This sounds a bit odd to me what do you think ?

[Wilk]

Sounds too much like they wish to bodge it and cover it with filler and paint IMHO.

[bigdaz]

That's just what I thought, I'm running out of Body shops to try now, I'm very close to just buying a welder and doing it my self how hard can it be

[eternaloptimist]

What happened with D&M? Providing you're keeping away from 'regular' body shops, I'm not sure why you're having a problem getting someone to take on the work.

[bigdaz]

His ramp wasn't free and I've needed the car every day I've been off hoping to get the chance to take it to him next week, I'm avoiding main stream body shops now, most of the places near me turn there nose up because it's a ford Granada if it was an mg I could find loads of places Oxford can be a little snooty I only want a couple of quotes so I can compare

[slater]

The problem is, people go in with a massive resto job with the attitude it can just be a quick fix. Experienced people can spot these jobs a mile off not to mention the dreamers that own them.