World's slowest Barracuda (mine)

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Offline Four-Forty-fied

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Re: World's slowest Barracuda (mine)
« Reply #15 on: June 23, 2006 - 04:12:36 AM »
I want to reply to each and every one of you guys b/c everyone has pertinent comments. Just not an hour or so after the bars close like right now.

MM383: I do indeed reside in Astoria, right by the Hell Gate bridge. What part of Queens is yours? As long as you are not a Harry Papadopolus type, I too look for Mopar peeps. So this really good body guy... you saying he's worth $1,857,600?




Offline wssnkc

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Re: World's slowest Barracuda (mine)
« Reply #16 on: June 23, 2006 - 09:22:06 AM »
"Who knew that they were getting the boot from the landlady soon after I dropped my car—and deposit—off at their shop?"

I am sure you know very lucky you are to have gotten the car back. Sounds like it may not have been safe at police impound either. Sometimes I think it takes astonishing dedication beyond that of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD to put these cars back into original or better than condition and to hold onto them for years afterwards.

I for one am thoroughly grateful every time I open the garage and smell the sweet intoxicating perfume of a 36 year old Mopar.  :woohoo:

Offline MyMopar

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Re: World's slowest Barracuda (mine)
« Reply #17 on: June 23, 2006 - 10:54:17 AM »
Just remember that even good deals go south.  It looks like 440fied had enough research to support his decision.  Also it isn't unusual at all to have to give some type of deposit for body work. 
Now I do most of all my home repairs (roofing, siding, furnace, plumbing you name it) but the one time I couldn't cover the job do to time and what not I had a carpet installed.  I paid 1/4 up front and the rest when done.  NOw just before I sold my other house, I had a contractor come in and finish some trim work and such and I paid 1/2 up front.
So paying a portion up front for some car work is reasonable and shouldn't be need for alarm.
The key to having someone else do work for you is PAPERWORK.  Get it in writing so nothing is left to guess on.  Write down your expectations w/deadlines.  IF it is a buddy or "side job" deal, then you should still get in writing what you expect to have completed and how much that person wants.  This way if something bad happens, you have proof and can recover some costs, possibly.
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Offline wssnkc

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Re: World's slowest Barracuda (mine)
« Reply #18 on: June 23, 2006 - 11:13:56 AM »
Just remember that even good deals go south.  It looks like 440fied had enough research to support his decision.  Also it isn't unusual at all to have to give some type of deposit for body work. 
Now I do most of all my home repairs (roofing, siding, furnace, plumbing you name it) but the one time I couldn't cover the job do to time and what not I had a carpet installed.  I paid 1/4 up front and the rest when done.  NOw just before I sold my other house, I had a contractor come in and finish some trim work and such and I paid 1/2 up front.
So paying a portion up front for some car work is reasonable and shouldn't be need for alarm.
The key to having someone else do work for you is PAPERWORK.  Get it in writing so nothing is left to guess on.  Write down your expectations w/deadlines.  IF it is a buddy or "side job" deal, then you should still get in writing what you expect to have completed and how much that person wants.  This way if something bad happens, you have proof and can recover some costs, possibly.


:iagree: Guess I watch too much "Judge Judy" and have dealt w/ my own share of jerks. Perhaps, under the circumstances I may have done the same. I still think your lucky 440 to have your car back. Documentation.

Offline ChallengerHK

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Re: World's slowest Barracuda (mine)
« Reply #19 on: June 23, 2006 - 01:34:32 PM »
Just remember that even good deals go south. 

I concur again. The guy who started my bodywork had been part of the team for a small manufacturer who shall remain nameless but whose vehicle was featured in a trilogy of films about traveling in time  :grinyes:. The guy had awards and trophies all over his walls, and turned out some really beautiful work. He was the real deal...until his Mrs. stepped in.


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Offline MoparMatt383

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Re: World's slowest Barracuda (mine)
« Reply #20 on: June 23, 2006 - 07:25:36 PM »
You dont have to worry Im no Harry P.  I am in Middle Village Queens.  Its not far from Queens Center Mall and its the neighborhood with all the cemeteries.  As for the body guy he is pretty good because my car was pretty rough when he got it.  He did very nice body work but the paint leaves a bit to be desired because he does not have a spray booth.  If I would do it again I would have all the body work and rust repair done by him and have had it painted somewhere else.  The price he gave me was very reasonable and he had the car for about 4 months.  If you want any other info feel free to ask.  Always good to know another NYC mopar guy.

Matt
Too many projects and nothing gets done.

Offline BIGSHCLUNK

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Re: World's slowest Barracuda (mine)
« Reply #21 on: June 23, 2006 - 10:48:37 PM »
Great comments and very good information. Allow me to tell you about the body shop guy I know....
One he owns MOPARS!! A perfect and I mean perfect Road Runner. He is building his Chally(original 440) right now!
Two he's freaky to a tee but in a good way. Only uses the correct bolts for example. Just bough a radiator with the right numbers for his E. Needs recoring paid $500
Three maybe a little more $$$$ but need I say more..............  :bigsmile:
70 Chally R/T Convertible- Yes she's really got a HEMI, no she's not a Charger!
                                             [o o o o]
                                                  OO
                                                  OO 
                                              [o o o o]
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Offline Four-Forty-fied

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Re: World's slowest Barracuda (mine)
« Reply #22 on: June 29, 2006 - 04:45:47 PM »
Well, things are looking up. Went over to the body shop dude’s new temporary location to try figure out what’s going on, as he's not too good at returning calls. They were just finishing up on that Camaro convertible. (Actually a ’67 and not a ’69 that I had mentioned.) That car came out BEAUTIFUL! They definitely do nice work, I'll say that much.

If he can make my ‘Cuda look anywhere near as nice as the Camaro, then all the hassle and frustration will be worth it.

The Camaro is going out tomorrow, and he wants my ‘Cuda on Saturday. He took the Camaro before mine because he is still nervous about the scrutiny a Barracuda brings, especially when I am making a ’74 look like a ’70. Just too much of a cop magnet.

He wont take it back until I have copies of the title, a letter about my intentions with the car, the dashboard with the VIN, and maybe even a blessing from a priest.

He did have some strong words to say about Harry.


One thing about the day the auto crime cops raided his old shop looking for a big bust is that my car didn’t have the dash board and VIN on it. They questioned me like crazy and said that they could take a car if it doesn’t have a VIN. Yet, when I offered to show them my dashboard & title that was less than 1/2  mile away, they declined to either wait for me to bring them to the shop, or follow me home. They never came back to verify either. Hmm. I wonder if they are just waiting until the car is completed and cloned to a 1970 to raid again, or did they just get an “honest” vibe from me and move on.


At any rate, it finally looks as if there will be some real progress on the car, and that makes me happy.

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Re: World's slowest Barracuda (mine)
« Reply #23 on: June 29, 2006 - 04:47:51 PM »
That's great news!   :cheers: 

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: World's slowest Barracuda (mine)
« Reply #24 on: June 29, 2006 - 05:04:56 PM »
Great news for sure!!!   :bananasmi

 I think the cops were just messing with you. I wouldn't worry about them again... unless you see them in your rear view mirror when you are doing 90.  :burnout:

  Mike

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Offline chrisII

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Re: World's slowest Barracuda (mine)
« Reply #25 on: June 29, 2006 - 05:14:08 PM »
last i checked its not illegal to put 70 tail lights in a 74, provided your vin still says its a 74 318 car. just like its not illegal to have a 440 under the hood of said 318 car. later cuda tail lights just dont look good IMO so i dont blame ya

Offline 360 'CUDA

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Re: World's slowest Barracuda (mine)
« Reply #26 on: June 29, 2006 - 08:33:14 PM »
later cuda tail lights just dont look good IMO so i dont blame ya

 :(

Anyway..... 4Tfied,  Those policemen sound to me like they are the A-team and they like to go around and talk the talk to see what they stir up.   I'm sure they were at another shop the next day and maybe an impound yard or a junkyard the day after that.
My guess is they have much bigger fish to fry and have forgotten all about you or your buddy.
In NYC they probably have lots of real bad guys to go after anyway.

Offline wssnkc

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Re: World's slowest Barracuda (mine)
« Reply #27 on: June 30, 2006 - 06:22:52 AM »
"or did they just get an “honest” vibe from me and move on."
That sounds likely -

Glad to hear your car is back in business with someone you feel good about. Who can blame you for questioning his credability? After all we are talkin' about a Cuda.

Offline Four-Forty-fied

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Re: World's slowest Barracuda (mine)
« Reply #28 on: July 03, 2006 - 04:42:28 PM »
MEK- That's why I am sure to do at least 91.

chrisII- I think 360cuda let us off easy!


So the Barracuda was dropped off without a hitch on Saturday as planned. How odd. Now I feel a little sorry for the body shop guy who actually does the work. He's a perfectionist, and I'm making him paint it black. He's not too happy about that!

The tow truck driver had a few interesting things to say. Bought a 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6 (450 hp) brand new back in the day. He said that the 327 Camaros would usually take him due to traction issues. He also said that the "rock crusher" 4-spd it had was no where near as strong as the Mopar 4-spd. His let go at 10,000 miles. Fortunately for him it was still under warranty.