I contracted Mr Hamilton (pro chassis) to restore my classic mustang in June to complete the final filling work, panel alignment, and paint at a total cost of $7500.00. All of the sheet metal work was completed myself and I had initially started filling work in the rear of the car. Dodd informed me that all the filling that had previously been completed would have to be removed and re-done to insure his warranty and I agreed that was no problem.
My decision to use Pro Chassis was based on finished work I saw completed in his shop and previous mechanical repairs that were performed on another car I own. Dodd seemed to have integrity and at the time I trusted him to complete the job in an honest quality manner. We agreed on the level of quality I expected and discussed the methods he used when performing restoration work. I also do paint and body work and am no stranger to current methods ways of restoration and how to spot short cuts in workmanship. Our initial conversations in person and on the phone reassured my confidence that the work would be completed according to my expectations.
As a individual shop owner and not a full blown restoration shop I knew that the restoration would not be completed in short order. I asked Mr. Hamilton how long it would take to complete the car when I dropped it off and he informed emphatically informed me that it shouldnt take any longer than 6 months and I felt this was reasonable.
We agreed to a $4000 down payment and the remainder of the balance upon compeltion of the work. After dropping the car off in June I made consecutive unannounced trips to New Bern to check on the status of the vehicle and always found the car parked in the same location of the shop with a car cover and no work completed.initially this didnt concern me as there was another vehicle in the que before me that was nearing completion.
I received a call from Mr. Hamilton in early december informing me that the car was well underway and he would like another payment of 1500.00 (just in time for Christmas?) I visted the shop at this time and found that a few dents had been filled and the lower fenders were completed but it was obviuos the repairs were done quickly and a quick coat of primer was thrown on the car to give the impression that more work was completed that actually wasnt. I reluctanlty paid the $1500.00 (not defined in the contract) and was informed that the car would be completed no later than late december early January. I was also informed during this visit that If I wasnt happy with the work at any time I could pick up my car and receive a refund.
I made several calls throughout the month to realize that no additional work was performed, even after the car in front of mine was completed. To add to my discomfort Pro-Chassis had brought in additional work and moved it ahead of my car as it continued to sit and collect dust. The months progressed and the completion date moved out an additional month with each phone call and was ensured that it would be completed in said month.
My patience was growing short so I called the shop in April informed Dodd that come June he would have had the car for 1 year which I know is plenty of time to complete the work required when intially delivered. We agreed that the car would be completed by June 1st or I would pick-up the car and have the work completed elsewhere and he verbally agreed.
It timeframe didnt bother me as I know proper restoration work takes hours and hours of dedication to complete correctly, what was bothersome is the fact my car was sitting in the corner collecting dust 95% of the time his shop was open and new work was put ahead of mine on more than on occasion.
I visited the shop in late May to find very little work had been completed on the vehicle and the in-process workmanship was of very poor quality. The door gaps were not correct due to the fact the doors were aftermarket and required lengthening. Dodd informed me the correct way to lengthen the door was to build the edges with weld as filler would break off over time. I agreed this was the proper method. When I pulled into his shop to remove the car the edges of the doors had over. 25" of filler in them, so much filler that the doors were bonded shut from the inside jams.
Some additional examples of poor workmanship:
1. There was a cheap coat of laquer primer on the car to protect it from rusting during the 2 years of sheet metal restoration. I informed Dodd that this needed to be saneded off before the first coats of catalyzed primer went on and he agreed. When I had the car back at my home I sanded through his top coats of primer (from december) to find that the old red-oxide primer and my orginall filler was still on the car which I was charged to have removed and informed had been completed.
2. Filler used on edges vs. Adding metal which is destined to fail in short order due to the impact of closing the dooers and trunk-lid
When I picked up the car I told Dodd that I didnt expect a full refund and would pay for his materials but I did not expect to pay for the labor. He informed me that it was Saturday and did not want to give me a personal check and a money order would be available for pick-up on monday. Since I dont live in New Bern I had a colleague go by the shop on Monday to pick up the money after I called and was told it was ready. When my colleague arrived for the pick-up he was informed that there was no money and they had actually completed $5800.00 worth of work and I had paid $5500.00 to date.
I called Dodd to question the lack of refund and he informed me of all the work he had done removing and replacing the filler in the rear of the car (not completed) and the removal of all the laquer primer (not completed) and all the hours spend aligning panels (improperly completed). Based on my experience his total labor to that point would have not exceeded $2K but since the work was substandard or not completed at all, I felt that material cost only would be fair compensation ($500.00 maximum). I remined Mr. Hamilton of his previous statement in the presence of my Father and Colleague that If I wasnt happy with my work I could pick of the car and he would refund my money and he quickly reminded me that it wasnt written in the contract so he would not honor it.
I also later discovered that the previous completed projects by Pro-Chassis I was impressed with were filled and painted by Dodd's brother. Dodd and his brother had an arguement and his brother no longer was working for them so the work I based my decision on choosing a shop was no longer valid.
Needless to say I am glad I made the decision to remove my car from their shop, especially after seeing the quality the project that Dodd and his new employee had completed after his brother quit. I am not happy with the fact that I was constantly lied to by an individual I had placed a great deal of trust and in the end lost $5500.00 as the result of unfair business practices. Its not surprising that his racing team is called "Evil Ways".
If you cherish you classic and want it done correctly stay away from this business and be aware that Mr. Hamilton talks the talk very well but in the end does not deliver on his word.
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