Please help me find a competent builder for my $35k General Lee build

[kripledbybuick]

I have given up the idea of have luedtke bastards build my car... terrible reputation! i am in northern cali, and would like to spend my money with a good builder near me or within reasonable driving distance from san fransisco bay area... let me know about any shop or personal seller you think I should talk to!
Thanks,
Jason-

My build sheet starts as:



General Lee 1969 Dodge Charger
1975 Corvette flame red
all body panels in good shape - no wrinkly or damaged valance panels, quarters, fenders or doors
no rust or fully repaired solid everywhere
no saggy doors - must line up nice
Throttle on left side of brake peddle
blowout proof motor mounts and super durable tranny mounts...( something like Schumacher Creative Services -"poly loc"- )
tubular headers with ceramicoat - jetcoat or equivalent long lasting, durable heat insulating ceramic coating ( not heat paint )
blowout proof header gaskets and collector gaskets
dual exhaust with turbo mufflers (2.25" tubing min dia - 2.5" even better-)
square mopar exhaust tips ( placed to exit below each reverse light and at slight upward angle like stock )
healthy auto 727 (inspected and serviced)
Trans cooler in front of radiator
8&3/4" suregrip rear (inspected and serviced) limited slip unit dana or borg warner fine... ( 3.23/1 gearing & 1.75 or 1.875 pinion shaft)
very good to new U-joints ( inspected and serviced if needed )
proper torsion bars for Big Block
power steering
properly aligned after suspension work completed
front & rear suspension rebuild ( The real deal kit )
front 11" disk power brake conversion
front and rear anti sway bars
factory AC in dash disconnect at firewall ( all AC components still in dash )
Clock replaced with tach
black dash gage cover
black interior
reupholstered and very good to new carpet
very good to new headliner
black console
dash pad in very good condition or new
factory sport steering wheel
am fm factory radio
series 2 wide push bar welded to frame ( high quality gloss black paint, automotive if possible, powder coat a big plus )
12 notes of Dixie air horn
4 new 15 inch vectors ( 7.5 width front & 8.5 width in back) and good (or new) rubber black wall out
remove all traces of window tint
hi perf 7-9 year 3m vinyl graphics with proper DIMs and spacing
good to excellent condition window molding, trims, and gaskets... ( all window registers should work flawlessly )
chrome strip added around sail panel area and inside tunnel back area of rear window ( no plastic stick on )
excellent mechanical condition throughout

Here is the engine detail list for 440:

440 cube big block (orange block paint - all aluminum to remain natural)
hardened valve seats or stelite inserts ( unleaded fuel survival )
forged steel crank
windage tray
no greater than 10.5 : 1 compression ratio - no less than 9.8 : 1
quality gaskets through-out ( felpro would be fine but up to you )
rebuilt block with quality bearings and quality bore job ( no flex hone quicky - torque plate honed a big plus )
good quality oil pump or high volume pump
good quality water pump or high volume aluminum water pump
cast aluminum valve covers ( black wrinkle )
mopar performance unsilenced air cleaner ( black wrinkle finish ) with 1969 commando pie plate insert (orange) picture attached
edelbrock performer-RPM intake
true roller timing chain
comp cams kit part # k21-223-4 ( link = http://www.compperformancegroupstores.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CC&Product_Code=K21-223-4&Category_Code= the over the phone price was $475.48 - online shows higher price )
double angle 30 degree back grind on valves ( improves flow )
quality rings
holley double pumper 750 cfm 4 barrel carburetor

[Charger1973]

If I might make one suggestion. I learned this from my buddy who also has a General Lee.  Check out colors of the General Lees in person before deciding what color to paint your car.  Attend a Dukesfest or some type of Dukes gathering and actually look at the cars in person and next to each other.  The color differences are one of those things you cant get right by looking at them on a computer screen.  Maybe you have already done this, you seem to know exactly what you are after, but I will tell you this much.  I went to Dukesfest this year with GNRL01 and sat next to his General Lee while he was getting his last autograph.  In those few hours alone I had all kinds of people come up and tell me how his car looked the best out of all the other cars there.  Everyone loved his paint job.  They arent decals either, they are painted on graphics.  Its extremely nice.  The color he went with is Hugger Orange and when you look at it next to 100+ other cars, it really does look the best to me, and obviosuly to alot of other fans as well.  Just wanted to give you that bit of information/advice.  You can do what you want to with it.  His website is here if you want to check it out:  http://midwestgeneralleeclub.com    Im sure he would be happy to have you over there as well and have plenty of advice for you. 


As far as who to build you car, I have heard of a a couple people who do really nice work but im not building a General Lee and dont know them off the top of my head.  Theres people that you can trust to do a good job, and people you cant.  I think you already figured out who they are though.   

[v21hemicharger]

Where are you located.  I know of a good painter in Chico.  Is the car together?

[Shakey]

These folks would so a good job but it most likely won't be cheap.

Probably about 6 hours away from you.


http://www.rbyj.com/

[mikepmcs]

I'd be interested to know the timelines on the restos of these cars by this guy above.   He has a ton in progress right now.  I'm guessing he has a lot of employees to be doing this kind of turnover.   His shop doesn't look that clean either and he keeps some pretty high dollar stuff outside. 

These are just observations i'm making, but things i would look at if I was searching.  He could be the greatest resto guy in Cali for all I know, like I said I know nothing about the place just giving my.02.

v/r
Mike

[Shakey]

I'd be interested to know the timelines on the restos of these cars by this guy above.   He has a ton in progress right now.  I'm guessing he has a lot of employees to be doing this kind of turnover.   His shop doesn't look that clean either and he keeps some pretty high dollar stuff outside. 

These are just observations i'm making, but things i would look at if I was searching.  He could be the greatest resto guy in Cali for all I know, like I said I know nothing about the place just giving my.02.

v/r
Mike

From my understanding, he is among the top guys in the country!  A Tier 1 restoration shop!

[THE CHARGER PUNK]

firstly why do u want the gas pedal on the wrong side? and 2 why do u want a black interior?

[NHCharger]

firstly why do u want the gas pedal on the wrong side? and 2 why do u want a black interior?

firstly, look at the pic below his name, it might give you a clue. 2, it's his car, he can build it the way he wants.

BTW, welcome to the best Mopar site on the internet Krip.

[moparguy01]

it might be hard to get a car built like your asking for for 35k. youve got 15-20k+ in parts that would be needed to get a decent charger like you want. You might have to be alittle leaniant on a few of the areas in your build. Just giving you alittle warning on this.

Good luck on your build though.

[mikepmcs]

Hey KBB how about these guys?

http://www.buildingagenerallee.com/build.php

v/r
Mike

[chargerman68]

check with member:
ROLLING THUNDER

he has a shop in southern cali.he is also helping me with my 68 charger.

[STIG]

Hey guys, I'm brand new here. Me & my Dad are looking at getting a General Lee built for us in the States, but have absolutely no idea where to look... There are the Smith Bros. but they are quite far off our budget, and told that the dynamicautoresoration guy is a bit of a scammer... We've also had a couple checked out from EBay and they were not at all as stated and we've almost hit a brick wall with who to turn to to have one built for us to our specifications. We are overseas, so we will rely heavily on the restoration shop's word and from what we've seen so far, we have to be wary.

We're thinking to go with this 'Classic Car Guy' place in San Luis, Obispo, CA. I couldn't find any bad reviews about him, he's BBA accredited and he only takes a $4000 deposit until the job is complete and once inspected both parties are satisfied before paying in full. One thing though is his workshop doesn't look too flash and again, I'm a bit wary. Does anyone have any experience with this company?

Any recommendations or help at all is greatly appreciated, we really need to get the ball rolling on the build!

Oh, our budget is around the $40k USD mark if that helps.

Cheers

[Cooter]

Remember one thing while looking for someone to build to your taste/expectations......


They will NEVER "Hit the mark" either price is too high(Over budget), or you will have to compromise on expectations. Just FYI....

[Ghoste]

Never heard of that company and although I agree with Cooter in part, I think that if you are realistic about your expectations then there is no reason it should be unsatisfactory.  As for the workplace you mentioned not being too flash, I am much less worried about that than the results they can produce.  I've seen some amazing things from "backyard" shops and some horrible crap from shiny well lit shops with the best of everything.  The right place for you is out there.

[Cooter]

Everybody WANTS a $100K restoration, but want to pay around $40K for it, so come time to sell, they aren't getting hurt on losing money...Or at least, that's the thought process from what I've gathered...



Yet, it never seems to amaze me that although a car has had what appears to be over $40K invested, by the time it's posted here for sale for $30K ($10K loss), everyone seems to think it's not worth but $15K....


I offfered to give my General Lee away for $18K..Sure, it has filler, it is a 12 Y/O restoration, sure it might need another $5K invested to be "Perfect" (According to some's taste), yet, NOBODY even came close to anything near asking price. THIS is the real problem and what I was referring to.

You will NEVER get a $100K looking restoration for under $100K if someone has to build it for you.

See, IMO, the "Bad Economy" has caused everybody to think that they can get people that are selling something to give it to them..This isn't the case. Just because a few gave a couple things away 3 years ago due to the economy, doesn't mean EVERYBODY is on the same wagon....Some will strip the car they are selling, sell off the parts, and then send your ass a video of it being mashed at the crusher if you lowball them...

[Ghoste]

You're right, hell they expect the same thing with wages.  I would offer further though that there are a lot who either bought when the prices were stupid high a few years ago and can't afford to get out or they are still basing their value judgement on that time.  By the same token there are those of us who can't get over the fact that we used to be able to buy these things for a few thousand bucks.

[STIG]

Hmm, yeah all valid points. As long as the car is tidy is the main thing really. I may as well just wait for something built to pop up for sale. 'Almost' got scammed big time with that scammer who continues to list the supposed 'Smith Bros' restored one on EBay... Inspections before everything we know now