Alec Pringle Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 (edited) The world is not short of dodgy dealers when it comes to the business of classic cars . . . . be it buying, selling, and most particularly restoration. The size and strength of the UK classic car movement is illustrated by the fact that one apparent charlatan has made it to the BBC News website . . . . Derby regional,, England national, and UK to boot ! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-42083513 Classic cars are clearly nowadays major news !! There's nothing new about this sort of situation, and we've had several such instances in the TR world over the years, as I know only too well from having been involved in attempts to rescue what could be rescued out of these disasters. It never ceases to baffle me just how stupid and how trusting some classic owners can be. They consign their precious rotmobile to some sweet-talking geezer 300 miles away, along with a hefty bag of shekels 'to be going on with'. Six months, 12 months, 2 years down the line and they've parted with more spondoolahs on the basis of nothing more than the odd phone calls and a bunch of excuses for the restoration timescale not having been met. Meanwhile, notalot has happened to the project car, except that it has more likely lost a few components than gained them. What our hero has failed to do is to inspect the work with his very own Mk1 eyeball at least every couple of months - there is no substitute, and if you expect to be able to supervise a classic restoration from the end of a phone then you're a leading candidate for Prat Of The Year Award. I can think of at least four restoration shops with multiple TRs waiting turns in their in-house queue, and continuing rumours about their ever-increasing waiting lists and failure to produce the required results. Quite frankly I wouldn't trust any of the quartet to touch my cars with the proverbial bargepole. . . . . . it's not that the proprietors are crooks, but it's all too easy for a previously decent individual to effectively collapse under the strain of running his own business. Your restoration, your responsibility . . . . . let The North West Mini Centre be an example of just how easily your dreams can be dashed . . . . . No Names, no pack drill, these guys tend to become pretty damn litigious when backed into a corner. Cheers, Alec Edited November 25, 2017 by Alec Pringle Quote Link to post Share on other sites
openroad Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 Hi Alec, "How stupid and How trusting some Classic car owners can be " !! It's a very easy trap to fall into, a good talker, loads of promises, all the know how and equipment, and money changes hands . ....then nothing much happens apart from you car being dismantled.... I know and have experience of this type of Restorer, and I wouldn't be as kind as you have been about their characters, Enjoy the weekend, Conrad. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 I wonder how many had a contract ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rhino_mac Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 (edited) Not sure what help a contract would have been. He was a con artist stripping cars and taking money from people for repairs he didnt do, then he did a runner. What makes you think he would have honoured a contract? Edited: fingers too fat for iPhone keyboard Edited November 25, 2017 by rhino_mac Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boxofbits Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 It doesn't help that opportunists and investors have got involved in the market, treating our classic cars like some commodity, art or piece of sculpture purely for gain either as a complete car or in pieces. On this forum owners very seldom discuss the value of their cars. Yes they have gone up in value, but a true classic enthusiast is not interested in its face value first and foremost, and like the guy on another forum who had his TR4 stolen there's a high likelihood it'll be dismantled and sold for spares. I think it's worth getting advice on a 'trusted' restorer via this forum first before any kind of transaction takes place. Kevin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 I for one do look forward to the reply's on this topic Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted November 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 When it comes to classic car restoration my experience is that contracts aren't worth the paper they're written on . . . . except of course to lawyers, who can all too easily earn a decent wadge out of such situations - without actually affording any satisfaction to the unfortunate car owner. A sawn-off or a heavy calibre automatic goes a long way towards focusing minds in these sort of situations . . . . the completely impossible suddenly becomes instantly achievable, one way or another. Fear can be a great motivator. Cheers Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 (edited) When it comes to classic car restoration my experience is that contracts aren't worth the paper they're written on . . . . except of course to lawyers, who can all too easily earn a decent wadge out of such situations - without actually affording any satisfaction to the unfortunate car owner. A sawn-off or a heavy calibre automatic goes a long way towards focusing minds in these sort of situations . . . . the completely impossible suddenly becomes instantly achievable, one way or another. Fear can be a great motivator. Cheers Alec Have you done time Alec? we all know the stories of one and all. Edited November 25, 2017 by ntc Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alec Pringle Posted November 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 Cheeky blighter . . . . . . nothing worse than a speeding fine. When a specialist job needs doing, it's usually wise to employ a professional specialist, tends to be cost-effective in the long term. Cheers, Alec Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 I beg to differ Alec,seen many people in a que trying to get there cars out while the liquidators was there ,guess what back trading two days later. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dic Doretti Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 My advice is always use a local restorer so you can pop in and check progress and the quality of the work. A glossy advert doesn't always mean a quality job. Cheers Richard Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pfenlon Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 I bought a Merc estate from a local car dealer, I found it had been written off. After getting nowhere with this (I later found out a well known Manchester Thug) , a pal in Glasgow (Who owned the biggest scap yard in Scotland) told me he would sort it out. within a fortnight the Merc was taken back and a very nice Volvo estate was given as a replacement. I doubt my Pal from Scotland mentioned the word please. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 Brave words, remember you always leave a trail. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rhino_mac Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 I tried two local restorers for my 3. The first had it three months, did nothing except replace the rear leaf springs and front shocks and I found it under a tarp at the back of his unit despite having it booked in for the work. He wanted £1200 labour for leaf springs alone. We had words about that and I repossessed the car from him. The second, a "Triumph Specialist" screwed the car up completely. £3000 in labour and all the work had to be redone at vast cost, including welding on all new body mounts where he had cut them off on one side. Eventually, I sent it to Stuart in Cornwall - about a 4 hour drive away so not exactly easy to pop in to. He had it seven months in the end it was so screwed up but I got regular updates by email with photos every 2-4 weeks. I never felt it wasn't receiving his undivided attention and when I visited the car after about five months, the work was A1 and I went home a happy chap. I think the secret is to send it to someone that is well known and recommended. Stuart does all the work to my car now despite the distance but I don't worry about what is, or isn't happening to it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
had17462 Posted November 25, 2017 Report Share Posted November 25, 2017 These people basically pull a con with promises,they usually do a lot of work like stripping the car quickly then they ask for more money up front,they spend that money by living Beyond there means, nice watch school fees etc then when u ask why they haven't touched the car they ask for more money to do the extra jobs they have found and it goes on until you wake up and smell the bull---t. Then u either beat the crap out of them and get nicked because they love calling the old bill or try going the legal way and get another big bill and find out they are up to there necks in debt . Sometimes u can't get blood out of a stone and have to learn the hard way. Let's make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else and spill the beans on anyone that's doing it. Nick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ray gill Posted November 27, 2017 Report Share Posted November 27, 2017 This is a horrible story Alex. (Hope your well) Reading the post above looks like peters friend would have come in handy there. Can't see this would ever happen to memenbers here as we all look after each other, members are lucky that there's no triumph or tr specialist anything like this column that Alec's as added. Our specialist are good sound people. I don't no anyone that would do this Crime. But if I did I'd be calling Peter Helen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
david ferry Posted November 28, 2017 Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 (edited) Astonishing that there are a number of comments on this topic thread recommending violence as being the answer to these problems. Worth remembering, as already mentioned, that these comments are there for all to see. Also worth remembering that the TR Register is responsible for every comment and post on their forum and website, and I am sure that these comments recommending illegal, and frankly childishly pathetic actions will not sit comfortably with forum moderators. I'd have pulled these comments already. Over to you, but do please try to grow up a little. David Edited November 28, 2017 by david ferry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ntc Posted November 28, 2017 Report Share Posted November 28, 2017 Indeed David and they forget a printer before the mods. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnG Posted November 29, 2017 Report Share Posted November 29, 2017 This thread provides a big part of the answer to the problem . . . Use this forum, all over the country, there are the likes of young Stuart down South, stick with those who we know are long term TR fanatics Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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