I give up! Looking for a professional restoration company in Connecticut

[jesterCT]

Ok, I not giving up, really. But due to some changes in life I am unable to finish what I started.

About 5 years ago I started to restore a 1971 Dodge Charger 500, which was at this time a real rust bucket. I replaced most of the panels and about 3 years later all the body was done.
Then I had to stop working on the car. I couldnt decide on what kind of braking system I wanted to install but mainly because of the lack of time. Fire Dept + EMS + teaching takes a lot of time.

Now, last week my wife decided that it would be time to move, so we bought a new house, unfortunately I had to give up my man cave. The new house does have an attached garage and there isnt a chance to built a garage for me to finish the restoration. (town ordinances)

Putting all together, lack of time and space, I have to give up on doing it by myself. My planned budge is still untouched, so I am looking for a few information and I am hoping you all can help me out.

1) Is there a good trustworthy professional restoration company in Connecticut? Does somebody have experience with them?
2) I know its difficult to say of course, but how much money should I plan for a full restoration (incl upholstery and painting, engine parts, new exhaust system, tires).
3) any advice on what to take care of, what to be aware of, and what not to do??

any advice is truly appreciated!!
Thanks guys for your help.




edit: added pics
This are the latest pics.
I finished the body work (except the doors and hood), painted the inside and the engine compartment; cleaned, sandblasted and painted most of the other parts of the suspension, etc
The rear axle is back in. Thats all, everything else is still in parts.

[myk]

Are there car shows and/or cruise nights where you live?  If so, start talking to the car owners and asking around about recommendations.  Join the local car message boards like this one and start investigating any suggestions.  Being in the service industry myself, I sometimes hate word of mouth advertising but in your case it would work in your favor. I'm sure a satisfied car owner on the local scene could point you in the right direction.

As for your other questions, if you posted up pictures of the car in its current state the members here might be able to give you a VERY rough estimate, as numbers can greatly vary...

[jesterCT]

Are there car shows and/or cruise nights where you live?  If so, start talking to the car owners and asking around about recommendations.  Join the local car message boards like this one and start investigating any suggestions.  Being in the service industry myself, I sometimes hate word of mouth advertising but in your case it would work in your favor. I'm sure a satisfied car owner on the local scene could point you in the right direction.

As for your other questions, if you posted up pictures of the car in its current state the members here might be able to give you a VERY rough estimate, as numbers can greatly vary...

Thanks for your answer.
Yes, there are some car shows and cruise nights. Luckily some show are coming up where I will be able to attend. So I will take your advise and talk to them.

I will add pics in a few minutes.

[Old Moparz]

There is a body shop in New Milford, CT that did a 1969 Charger in black many years ago that was flawless as far as body work & paint. I got an estimate for my Scamp soon after, but I couldn't justify the cost for a car that would never be worth putting that kind of money into so I never followed through with it & found a budget shop closer to home. The guy looked over my car thoroughly, had given me a written estimate, too. I decided that if I were to put money into a different car that meant more to me I would prefer going there & may still do that for my Satellite Convertible.

A-1 Auto Body Works:   http://a1abw.com/

Their Facebook page with photos: https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-1-Auto-Body-Works/112584432185829?fref=ts

[66FBCharger]

Hi Jester,
I used Automotive Restorations Inc. in Stratford, Ct. http://www.automotiverestorations.com/ari/home/
They did the body and paint on my '70 Road Runner.
The shop has almost all services in house. They have a sheetmetal shop that can fabricate anything from scratch. They also have an upholstery shop, a wood shop and a machine shop and of course a paint and body shop. They were very thorough when they gave me my estimate. They charge by the hour. They bill each month. If they run into an issue not found during the initial estimate, they contact you, go over what they found and they write up an estimate for the additional work and the customer oks the addtional work with a signature if the customer wants to fix the additional work found. There are no surprises! They are very professional!
I was very happy with their work. I encourage you to call them, ask for a tour, and see if you are interested in having them give you an estimate.
John

[myk]

God bless the internet...

[DixieRestoParts]

These guys do full on restorations. I think you'll be happy, many of their cars have won Gold in OE judging. They are in RI, just a little further away, but worth it.

http://www.instrument-specialties.com/

Ask for Mike Mancini. Tell him Randy from Dixie referred you. Phone: 401.267.0055

[myk]

Now, for the issue of "cost..."

[jesterCT]

Hi Jester,
I used Automotive Restorations Inc. in Stratford, Ct. http://www.automotiverestorations.com/ari/home/
[......]
I encourage you to call them, ask for a tour, and see if you are interested in having them give you an estimate.
John

WOW..... but I JUST have a charger....you know the one with the 318. Not an Mercedes 300 SL 

Thanks a lot, I wil call.

[jesterCT]

Now, for the issue of "cost..."

I guess very expensive... 

[el dub]

check out a club like this one, it's in your area. Take your time, there are a lot of people out there who will burn you. But a lot of good ones too. http://www.moparinmotion.com/
or something else like it.

[keith88]

Where in CT do you live i live there to.

[jesterCT]

Where in CT do you live i live there to.

Bristol

[keith88]

I live eastern CT by the casinos. Not really sure about anything close to you but i did use a place called B&D autobody that i used several years back that did a good job for me but it was a camaro at the time I am going to bring my Charger by in time to see if then can fix a few things and repaint it.. but it will be a while.

[Mytur Binsdirti]

These guys do full on restorations. I think you'll be happy, many of their cars have won Gold in OE judging. They are in RI, just a little further away, but worth it.

http://www.instrument-specialties.com/

Ask for Mike Mancini. Tell him Randy from Dixie referred you. Phone: 401.267.0055

They do awesome work, but you'll definitely need to roll this in with the car...

[chargerperson]

These guys do full on restorations. I think you'll be happy, many of their cars have won Gold in OE judging. They are in RI, just a little further away, but worth it.

http://www.instrument-specialties.com/

Ask for Mike Mancini. Tell him Randy from Dixie referred you. Phone: 401.267.0055

They do awesome work, but you'll definitely need to roll this in with the car...

I know they are not in CT, but they are right over the border in New York - Sloatsburg, NY.  I used Premier Restorations to restore my 67 Dodge Charger which they restomoded (non matching #s so need to preserve was lessened) but they also do normal restorations of some pretty decent cars (e.g., early 60s Mercedes, a Ferrari or two, Porsche, etc.) as well as muscle cars.  Currently have a 69 Charger being restomoded and another 69 which will be a stock restoration on deck.

Their homepage
http://www.premierrestony.com/

My car at their site
http://www.premierrestony.com/#!1967-dodge-charger-nyias-15/c1yt0

My car on dc.com
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,117047.msg1453071.html#msg1453071

As the turban person stated above, it is expensive

[Musicman]

Keith88 and I are practically neighbors, so there's probably no point in mentioning where my car is being restored at the moment... Bristol is a bit of a drive from here, and there are some very good shops out your way.

[jesterCT]

I know they are not in CT, but they are right over the border in New York - Sloatsburg, NY.  I used Premier Restorations to restore my 67 Dodge Charger which they restomoded (non matching #s so need to preserve was lessened) but they also do normal restorations of some pretty decent cars (e.g., early 60s Mercedes, a Ferrari or two, Porsche, etc.) as well as muscle cars.  Currently have a 69 Charger being restomoded and another 69 which will be a stock restoration on deck.

Their homepage
http://www.premierrestony.com/

My car at their site
http://www.premierrestony.com/#!1967-dodge-charger-nyias-15/c1yt0

Thank you, awesome car...... you got a PM.

[jesterCT]

[....]  Bristol is a bit of a drive from here, and there are some very good shops out your way.

And these are?