I need a MOPAR restoration body shop

[dlo3575]

My son has a 1969 Charger General Lee.  We just had the 440 engine and transmission done by Hollis at HP engines near Charlotte, NC.  Thanks to all the members who responded to my post looking for a good engine builder!  Anyway, I figured while I have the drive train out, I might as well do the body.  I am looking for folks with first hand experience with a good (great) MOPAR resto shop in NC or Myrtle Beach SC.  I don't want a body shop that does insurance work and collision stuff.  I am looking for a MOPAR expert.  I was thinking of getting the Charger media blasted or dipped and then fixing whatever needs fixing. So if any of you fine folks out there can recommend a good shop, I would appreciate your help (once again).  Thank you.

[randy73]

do not know of a shop, but I would not dip a car. That stuff gets in places you cannot get it out of and that will lead to very bad things happening in the near future (RUST).

[dlo3575]

Thank you for that tid bit.  I am hoping for someone who knows a real good restoration shop for this Charger.  I have had quite a few "body"shops, but I am holding out for a true MOPAR shop, so they know what they are doing and I expect the finished body work will be done right!  Perhaps I should open up the radius I am willing to travel?  Maybe Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina? 

[ACUDANUT]

I have never heard of any "Mopar" only body shops, especially ones that decline insurance work.  Just keep looking around and get lots of referrals. 

[johntpr]

Www.hodgerestorations.com

[dlo3575]

Thats a good lead.  i dropped them and email with a few pics.  We will see what comes of it.

[hemi-hampton]

I have never heard of any "Mopar" only body shops, especially ones that decline insurance work.  Just keep looking around and get lots of referrals. 

That's all I did when I had my Shop. Mopars only. LEON.

[Mike DC]

 
Dipping versus blasting . . . that's a whole topic unto itself. 

Talk to a guy who dipped a car, and he will probably say he wishes he'd blasted it. 
Talk to a guy who blasted a car, and he will probably say he wishes he'd dipped it.

[bull]

Maybe this is getting off topic here but the only thing about dipping a car is that it will wipe off everything in places you will never see. Is that bad? Not necesarily, as long as the dipping process is done by someone who knows what they're doing. In essence I think if it's done right you will basically be taking the metal back to its original state, and since Mopar did little in the way of rust prevention it will be taken back to its 1960s-1970s standards before it was dipped again into a vat of protective solution (up to the mid-window area I believe). That said, if the dipper rinses it correctly and then redips the car into some sort of epoxy primer or rust prevention solution it would be better than media blasting.

[ACUDANUT]

I have never heard of any "Mopar" only body shops, especially ones that decline insurance work.  Just keep looking around and get lots of referrals. 

That's all I did when I had my Shop. Mopars only. LEON.

What was the going "labor rate", per hour ?

[hemi-hampton]

Cheap at $40 a hr.  LEON.

[twodko]

That MOPAR resto shop might very well be a "stand up" business BUT you pays your money
and you takes your chance.
In short you get what you pay for.

[BLUE68RT4ME]

If you're willing to transport your car, take a look at my friends Troy and Laura over at the RT Garage in Belle Plaine, MN.  He, AND SHE, know Mopars like few others.  He has built some amazing cars.  Both he, AND SHE , have been featured in Mopar Collectors Guide.  Her for her car collection and amazing ability to race 4-speeds, and he for inventing the Rev-N-nator.  I actually bought my Charger from him.  He helped me find exactly what I was looking for.

Anyway, if you want someone that knows what they're doing, I'll put all my credibility on the line for him.  He's built several General Lee's in the past and actually owned one from the most recent Dukes of Hazard movie.  Heck, here's their website:  http://www.thertgarage.com/ .  Look down at the bottom, that's him jumping over the General.  lol  And in the alternating pick above, the girl in the bikini is his wife.  She's still a knockout now, but 15 years ago Daisy Duke wouldn't get the time of day in the same room as her! lol

Anyway, I'm in SC now days.  Planning to move back in the summer.  He will have a booth at the Mopars in the Park show the 31st of May and 1st of June if you wanted to see his handywork or go see his shop any time.  Have any questions, PM me.  

Mark

[BLUE68RT4ME]

By the way, I'll be at the 4-wides in Charlotte this weekend if you're headed that way.  Let me know.