Top 10 Mopar Restorers - WHO ARE THEY?

[SanDiego70RTSE]

Just out of curiousity, who is the #1 Mopar restorer out there today? Or who are the top restorer(s)?  In other words, who does the most authentic flawless work as judged awards at National Competitions? Also, which cars sell for the most $ at auctions because they were restored by this person/shop. I've done some research and found two guys vis the internet who have pictures up of the cars they restored and they look absolutely amazing - Restorations by Julius and Roger Gibson Auto Restorations.  If anyone is knowledgable about this stuff, I'd be interested in knowing.

Thanks,
Mat

[moparstuart]

 no one i could afford       how about vance the guy doing hemigeno's daytona

[472 R/T SE]

Kori Alexander (sixpack71) doesn't do the paint & body but the finish work, detailing pieces and putting back together.  I think his biz is called Show-N-Go Restorations.

For that aspect of a restoration, he gets my vote as the best.    His awards and rag pieces speak for themselves.

[Magnumcharger]

Kori Alexander (sixpack71) doesn't do the paint & body but the finish work, detailing pieces and putting back together.  I think his biz is called Show-N-Go Restorations.

For that aspect of a restoration, he gets my vote as the best.    His awards and rag pieces speak for themselves.

I concur. He has forgotten more about restoring muscle-era mopars than we've ever known.
And to be truthful, he hasn't forgotten anything.

[mikepmcs]

I think quite a few members right here on this site come to mind as far as I'm concerned.  Some you boys and gals got some serious talent!
I'd start naming names but i'd forget someone and feel poorly.
v/r
Mike

[TripleBlackGator]

I always think of Roger Gibson and Frank Badalson. I have seen their work at the Nationals and was blown away by the detail. I would also consider Kohr's Kustoms. They are like the best kept secret in high quality MOPAR restorations. Also Muscle Car Restorations and Legendary Motor Works. 

[hemigeno]

I think Paul Jacobs is set to do John A.'s (DC.com member "johntpr") Daytona in a year or two, and he does some nice work.  Another top-shelf guy is Steve Been, whose shop is located in Hillsboro, MO (really close to where I live) and has done some PHENOMENALLY detailed work on E-Bodies.  He's already done two over-the-top concours restorations for Dave Walden of ECS Automotive fame.  Kori Alexander does indeed put out some very detailed cars, and Carl1's C500 is a great example.  I've also seen a lot of Roger Gibson's handiwork and it's never too shabby.  Frank B. does detail work and minor repairs himself, but really isn't an official restoration shop.  Great source for repro parts.

I'm still partial to Vance Cummins though (gotta throw a plug in for him since he's restoring a car for me at the moment!).  Steve Been was a close second choice for me, but what gave Vance the nod was the knowledge he has of the Daytonas and the sheer number of them he's restored.  I have enjoyed going through the resto process on my car as much for what I've learned about Daytonas in general, as seeing mine transformed.  Vance was - debatably - the first guy to get seriously into the whole factory correct restoration thing.  His first cars restored in that fashion were often the subject of much criticism from the mainstream Mopar guys, but later those same details he got kicked around for became "required" on any concours-level car.   

Is Aloha still in biz under that name?  If so, they're pretty good as well.  Rick Kreuzinger (RestoRick?) is also another good concours-quality shop I hear about from time to time.

There really are some talented craftsmen out there...

[69_500]

Personally I've only looked over cars that were restored by Aloha, Roger Gibson, Vance Cummings, and Paul Jacobs. Can't say that I'd turn any of them down if I was in the market to have my 500 restored. Out of all of those though I can't afford any of them. Details are what sets those shops apart from the others. Have looked over a few cars from Julius, and on a few wasn't very impressed. Some are gorgeous, some aren't. Not sure if it was the choice of the owner of the car, or just not wanting an OE type restoration.

It all depends on what your after in your restoration. Of all the ones mentioned I can say this, if it isn't a high dollar car once its completed I don't know if I'd fork over the dough to have them do the work. Because in the end you would never see any where close to the investment, unless it is a rare automobile. Personally though, I like my cars correct just can't afford to have them do it though.

[Ghoste]

I think Aloha is all done.  Not sure if Tommy White is working under another name or not.  What about Totally Auto?

[69_500]

In my personal opinion Totally Auto does restorations, but they aren't what I would call OE restorations. They are mainly "over restored" cars. Or at least that is how 8 of the 10 cars I've seen them do work on turned out. For instance the HEMI Daytona that was recently sold, not OE, but rather over restored. Still very nice, just not same category. Same goes for a 1970 HEMI RT/SE Charger I looked at a few years ago that they did.

[moparchris]

Working at the small local shop here in Az. we have had customers bring in their cars and I have worked on Roger Gibson cars and cars from Julius in California.  In my opinion the cars from Roger are much better in correctness and workmanship.  Again IN MY OPINION.

[G-man]

I think you are asking "who is more famous". Reason, I know if you paid the right amount of money, any skilled pannel beater etc can restore a car to the quality of these people such as "Johnsons Hot Rodding" that did that red 71 cuda for 1.2 milion with a 528 Hemi (was the SEMA car not sure what year)

Buy the right parts, get good chroming shops to do custom plating chrome, buy all brand new bits, get a good panel beater to spend hours upon hours hand rubbing the whole car down to get it to perfect mirror finish... quality, just as good.

It could be the whole "but these legends did it" mentality that make a car appere better than it really is.

EG: I get a guy down the road to do it, someone gets a proffesional well known hot rodding shop to do it. Both cars are the same quality but the one that paid more $ to get famous shops to do it will "think" there car is actually better.

I see cars which are 100% cant be better, and I get guys saying "yeah thats alright"... like AS IF. Laser Straight, Mirror finished... cant be better. Its the parts/paint scheme u decide to do that makes it look more wow over the other, not the quality work.

[Brock Samson]

 

  "EG:"
did you mean to say "IE:"

 


 

[mikesbbody]

whoever does tim wellborn's 71 chargers  i too heard aloha was done (read it in mcg i think)

[Aero426]

whoever does tim wellborn's 71 chargers  i too heard aloha was done (read it in mcg i think)

Aloha is closed.   Owner Tom White's son has opened another shop locally.    Some of the other Aloha people went to work for Perfection Autosport, also local in Wisconsin.   

Tim Wellborn's cars are typically done by Roger Gibson.  Due to Roger's backlog, he had Aloha do some cars as well.

[joflaig]

whoever does tim wellborn's 71 chargers  i too heard aloha was done (read it in mcg i think)

Aloha is closed.   Owner Tom White's son has opened another shop locally.    Some of the other Aloha people went to work for Perfection Autosport, also local in Wisconsin.   

Tim Wellborn's cars are typically done by Roger Gibson.  Due to Roger's backlog, he had Aloha do some cars as well.

...and don't forget Muscle Car Restorations, also in Wisc.

[Troy]

I think you are asking "who is more famous". Reason, I know if you paid the right amount of money, any skilled pannel beater etc can restore a car to the quality of these people such as "Johnsons Hot Rodding" that did that red 71 cuda for 1.2 milion with a 528 Hemi (was the SEMA car not sure what year)

Buy the right parts, get good chroming shops to do custom plating chrome, buy all brand new bits, get a good panel beater to spend hours upon hours hand rubbing the whole car down to get it to perfect mirror finish... quality, just as good.

It could be the whole "but these legends did it" mentality that make a car appere better than it really is.

EG: I get a guy down the road to do it, someone gets a proffesional well known hot rodding shop to do it. Both cars are the same quality but the one that paid more $ to get famous shops to do it will "think" there car is actually better.

I see cars which are 100% cant be better, and I get guys saying "yeah thats alright"... like AS IF. Laser Straight, Mirror finished... cant be better. Its the parts/paint scheme u decide to do that makes it look more wow over the other, not the quality work.

Operative word: R-E-S-T-O-R-A-T-I-O-N

The topic is about concourse restored cars, and honestly, Billy Bob's Rod Shop isn't going to have the knowledge nor spend the time and energy to gain the knowledge to get a car to this level. We're talking paint daubs, chalk markings, date coded and/or NOS parts, paint drips, correct over spray, etc.

Sure, lots of companies can make a nice show car but it's not the same thing.

Oh, and all the top-end restorers that I can think of have already been mentioned.

Troy

[mikepmcs]

  "EG:"
did you mean to say "IE:"

Dave,
EG is latin for Exempli gratia. Translated to "free example," meaning "for example."

IE is latin for Id est.  Translated to "that is" and similar to saying "for example.

So you both get a 

v/r
Mike

[SanDiego70RTSE]

Troy,

Thanks for chiming in. That's makes sense. When all of the NOS parts and date coded parts are gone, will it be impossible to do a concourse restoration?

[Ghoste]

Not at all.  It's become the standard for judging musclecars in the concour's field because many of those parts are still around.   The original concour's d' elegance competitors, the pre-war classics like the old Duesenburgs and such have not had a stash of NOS parts to tap into for a very long time.  In fact, in the body area, many of those cars were sent to private coachbuilders for one off styles.  These cars continue to get restored to concour's winning levels and it is done without the benefit of relatively easily found parts.  What can't be found is made.

[69_500]

I do think though that one can do very well at many of the Mopar shows with a smaller shop doing the work as well. However if your going for OE Gold then the list is very small in the shops that you should consider.

Another small shop that does very nice work would be Dickie Wolfe out of WV I think. Saw a few GTX's and one Daytona that the restored. All three turned out very nice, not OE correct, but VERY VERY nice cars.

[Brock Samson]

  "EG:"
did you mean to say "IE:"

Dave,
EG is latin for Exempli gratia. Translated to "free example," meaning "for example."

IE is latin for Id est.  Translated to "that is" and similar to saying "for example.

So you both get a 

v/r
Mike

  thanks for the heads up!

[mikes_classics_68]

#1    hlpag             

[Daytona R/T SE]

Just out of curiousity, who is the #1 Mopar restorer out there today?

Thanks,
Mat

I'm going to have to say....CudaKen! 

[Chris]

Paul Jacobs and Troy Angelley, very happy with the work that they have done to my Ralley, they will have it on display at Carlisle under their tent. Kind of sucks that some of you will get to see it before I do, enjoy!

[plumbeeper]

Ken Mosier and his crew at The Finer Details does nothing but Mopar restorations. Award winning, concourse, NOS and restored parts, detailing etc. I've seen his shop and many of his restorations up close before, during and after, these guys are doing it right. Check out the MCG that has the Indy 500 pace car on the cover (last months) for some ideas of his work.

I've seen a lot of other nice cars out there that are just aboslutely stunning but don't recall who restored each and every one.

Dave

[moparstuart]

Just out of curiousity, who is the #1 Mopar restorer out there today?

Thanks,
Mat

I'm going to have to say....CudaKen! 

[Daytona R/T SE]

Just out of curiousity, who is the #1 Mopar restorer out there today?

Thanks,
Mat

I'm going to have to say....CudaKen! 

[69_500]

Finer Details  does do some pretty good work. Its what I would call a nice restoration, but not to OE standards. They do what is in my opinion mainly over restored vehicles. Just my 2 cents though. Very nice work, and since he isn't too far from where I live I have considered having him do some work on my 500 in the next few years.

[spfury]

No Order but:

Roger Gibson
Larry Barnett
Julius (sp?)
RestoRick
Finer Details (Some Overrestored but excellent work)
MCR does great work but they do make some mistakes on what is correct on a Mopar, expert guidance/advice is a help
Kohr's
SDJ MoPar Restoration Specialist

[Blue Pentastar]

There is a lesser know res-to shop in Mountain Home Arkansas owned by Bob Villiger. He has done some gorgeous cars including the Black 73 charger that showed up in the Boerne, TX TDC meet photos, and a six pac Roadrunner for Tim Welburn, Plus several other cars that were in various magazines. He does other than just Mopar Restorations but that is his Passion.


Mike Schrader

[471_Magnum]

Paul Jacobs and Troy Angelley, very happy with the work that they have done to my Ralley, they will have it on display at Carlisle under their tent. Kind of sucks that some of you will get to see it before I do, enjoy!

Paul and Troy are friends, and I've had the opportunity to preview a lot of their work as well as see it take top honors at Mopar Nationals. They should definitely be on everybody's top ten list.

Haven't had the opportunity to see your Ralley though Chris. Might have to pay PJ a visit.

I do know they've got a couple of spectacular cars in store for this year.

That said. you also need to consider what you're having restored. Some shops are better with certain models and bodies.

[Fitz73Chrgr]

There is a lesser know res-to shop in Mountain Home Arkansas owned by Bob Villiger. He has done some gorgeous cars including the Black 73 charger that showed up in the Boerne, TX TDC meet photos

I am going to have to look him up for our 73's body work.  That black one has got to be one of my favorite 3rd gens. 

[Blue Pentastar]

I am going to have to look him up for our 73's body work.  That black one has got to be one of my favorite 3rd gens. 

The 73 belongs to his brother, they are both good friends of mine, but I can't aford him he is extremely good.
Not cheap either but the work will only be right or he won't do it.

Mike

[Chris]

Hey 471 Magnum

If you make it over to PJ's let me know what you think, it has been almost three years since I have seen her!

[471_Magnum]

Hey 471 Magnum

If you make it over to PJ's let me know what you think, it has been almost three years since I have seen her!

I'm guessing that car has been hiding over at Troy's place for bodywork, otherwise I would have seen it before. I'll definitely check it out next time I'm in the neighborhood.

[Chris]

It has been back over at PJ,s for about the last three weeks getting put together for Carlisle.

[DaytonaDodge71]

whoever does tim wellborn's 71 chargers  i too heard aloha was done (read it in mcg i think)

[DaytonaDodge71]

Roger K. Gibson does my 71 Hemi Chargers and Wingcars. Never have I found anymore Attention to detail than Roger. I began with Roger in 1987 With A 1970 Plum Crazy Challenger R/T convertible with every option. He at that time had just completed Otis Chandlers Copper Hemi Daytona (That I have in the stable today) and I was very Impressed with the quality and even today some 20 years later the car is still perfect in detail and the paint is still outstanding. That is what sets true restorers apart in my opinion. They make sure their cars stand the test of time and should never need restoring again!

The Challenger as you Old Timers may remember was the first Mopar to be done with date codes and paint markings. Up untill that time (my self included) a set of Polyglass GT's and correct hose clamps pretty paint and either painted or black undercarriage was the norm. Along comes Roger with his background of Corvette restorations and the knowledge to look for these markings and document them during disasembly. The Challenger R/T and Roger Gibson Changed the way Mopars are restored and definately increased their values today. There are a lot of great restorers out there but only a few change the hobby as we know it. Roger is that guy!
By the way the Challenger won best of show at the nats and and was the first Mopar Roger had judged as the Daytona has never been on the judging line
But if I were a betting person the Hemi Daytona even 20 years later is probably a winner.

Tim Wellborn                                     By the way this is my first posting and I look foward to chatting with you guys in the future

[moparstuart]

 Welcome tim ,  I personally drool    over all your cars !  But especially the wing cars ! 
   There are alot of third gen guys around here .

[472 R/T SE]

Welcome to the Forum Tim.   

[69_500]

A big welcome to the site Tim. Looking forward to you chiming in on the AERO section when time allows.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Welcome Tim!
Loved seeing your '71 Hemi Charger collection at Carlisle in '06.....anything on the plate for this year?

[hemigeno]

Hi Tim, welcome to the site! 

I've heard about your cars from Roger for over 10 years, as I used to bug him occasionally about different things.  Many years ago I remember seeing magazine write-ups of your Challenger, and Grinwald's SuperBee (a few years after that).  Those two cars piqued my interest in the fine details of Mopars, and factory-correct restorations in general.  Your display last year at Carlisle was the stuff dreams are made of, and I know that's just the proverbial tip of the iceberg.

Looking forward to when you have time to chime in.  I'm still kicking myself for not attending the 2004 Talladega Reunion, but it'll take something just short of the Second Coming to keep me away for 2009.

[Charger-Bodie]

Hi Tim! Welcome!! love to see some pics of you're collection on the pages of the Forum!

[mikepmcs]

Hey Tim 

You got some wicked nice stuff.

v/r
Mike

[4speed]

Roger K. Gibson does my 71 Hemi Chargers and Wingcars. Never have I found anymore Attention to detail than Roger. I began with Roger in 1987 With A 1970 Plum Crazy Challenger R/T convertible with every option. He at that time had just completed Otis Chandlers Copper Hemi Daytona (That I have in the stable today) and I was very Impressed with the quality and even today some 20 years later the car is still perfect in detail and the paint is still outstanding. That is what sets true restorers apart in my opinion. They make sure their cars stand the test of time and should never need restoring again!

The Challenger as you Old Timers may remember was the first Mopar to be done with date codes and paint markings. Up untill that time (my self included) a set of Polyglass GT's and correct hose clamps pretty paint and either painted or black undercarriage was the norm. Along comes Roger with his background of Corvette restorations and the knowledge to look for these markings and document them during disasembly. The Challenger R/T and Roger Gibson Changed the way Mopars are restored and definately increased their values today. There are a lot of great restorers out there but only a few change the hobby as we know it. Roger is that guy!
By the way the Challenger won best of show at the nats and and was the first Mopar Roger had judged as the Daytona has never been on the judging line
But if I were a betting person the Hemi Daytona even 20 years later is probably a winner.

Tim Wellborn                                     By the way this is my first posting and I look foward to chatting with you guys in the future

welcome tim,i work with john owens i was wondering if you could post sum pics of the omaha daytona that roger did for you, thanks harold