The Restoration of PRRROWL
TIGER # B382000221
An Article by John Crawley
February, 2001
Page 5
Getting Work Done on Your Car
TIGER 221 was extensively worked on and then crashed before I bought it. ‘Professionals’ had done the ‘restoration’ as the previous owner was quite young and not mechanically inclined. Much of the work that he paid dearly to have done was poorly executed and in some cases outright dangerous.
Be sure that you know what you are doing before you pay to have work done. Remember that you often get what you pay. Check with others that have had similar work done by the people you are going to give your money to. Go to several restoration shops and get estimates. Check with others for problems . . . ask for references if you have to but it is best to know the other customers personally.
Get a written or a very extensive verbal contract of what you want done and what the professional is going to do before the work is started and also the price. If you are negotiating a full restoration use a video camera to record an at the car explanation of what is required and what will be done. You can use the excuse that this is for your personal film of restoring the car but it will be an excellent reference. Establish a time line that is agreeable to you and the supplier. Be wary of entering into an agreement were the supplier will do your work "in the slow times at a reduced rate". The slow times often never come and the reduced rate sometimes means that your job becomes a catchall for non-chargeable shop time. I have never had work done by anyone who says: "I can’t tell you how much that will cost." If they do not know the cost they may not know how to do the job!
Also remember that you, with loving tender care and taking your time, can often do a better job than a professional that is in a rush and trying to make a profit from your job. Do not exceed your skills nor your budget but do not let the lack of specialized tools stop you from doing your own work — it is often cheaper to buy or rent them than it is to pay somebody else to do the work.
If you are thinking of having a shop do an extensive restoration you might consider trying to find a finished car to buy instead. Very few people manage to get all the money they put into a restoration back when they sell their car. You may as well have the benefit of their spending rather than spending the money yourself.
Purchasing a TIGER would involve a whole series of articles on its own and is beyond the scope of these articles. Some advice though is to seek advice from club and List members before you spend your dollars.
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