My name is David and I am writing to you in hopes that you can help me resolve a major problem I have encountered with a company located in Lake Havasu City, AZ. The company name is Drake Customs and they specialize in building custom mustangs, most notably, the 1967 GT 500 Eleanor from the movie Gone in 60 Seconds. Drake customs goes by the new name of Recon Classic, likely because of the scams they have been involved in.
I am a car builder myself, and have always been interested in owning a 1967 GT 500 Fastback for my collection. I discovered this company through a mustang magazine, and after doing my research, found the company to have great reviews, and even working closely with many major celebrities. With no doubt in my mind that I would receive a quality car from this company, I contacted them. I spoke several times to the owner of Drake Customs, named Raymond Carmody, and the manager, named Bobby Morris. They were very friendly and helpful and ensured a finished car that would be shipped to me in October. I was told by them, that they would not be able to finish the car without proper payment up front. Being excited, and having trust in the company, I paid Drake Customs the $13,004.60 balance for my car. This balance was divided over a nine month period. The first payment was made on January 26th, to purchase and to start the car. This bill came out to $4,000.00. The second bill was paid on February 23rd for the completion of the car, for $5,000.00. The final bill was for the Eleanor kit to be purchased and installed. This was paid on September 11th, totaling $4,004.60. This makes my total $13,004.60. After October came and went, Bobby Morris and Raymond Carmody continued to speak to me on the phone stating the car is almost finished. This went on for weeks, until I finally lost faith in the company and told them I wanted my money back, or the car as is. Neither has been received.
Over a year later, and I have spent countless hours fighting with my credit card company, my bank, and Drake customs, only to still be without a car and $13,004.60 less in my bank account. The Credit Card Company and bank will not help me due to the fact that 90 days have passed since the incident. Drake Customs does not answer any phone calls from a 516 area code any longer. They have even changed their company name and number.
I have researched drake customs over and over again, and have found that there are many more victims like me. Some people have even sent their own car to drake customs to be worked on, paid them $20,000.00 for parts, and now have no car and lost their money.
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