Alfa 33 Rebuild

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
Oh dear Dicky what a disaster!

Looked at a 33 P4 recently but needed a lot of bodywork. Couldn't find any panels other that a front wing and an outer rear wheel arch repairs. Whats the story if you need sheetmetal?
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
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9,033
Having followed your restoration along the years, I really feel for you.
I guess I was lucky with my Stag restoration carried out in 1990. I used a local chap who specialised in Austin Healeys but worked alone and thus could only work on one car at a time.
28 years later she is still good, as is a local Austin Healey 3000 owner that was restored by the same chap around the same time.
In comparison a fellow Stag owner who selected a bigger, more commercial classic car restoration company again at the same time, rotted back through years ago.
 

zagatoes30

Member
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20,756
Not good, always worry about finding good restoration companies but the best don't come cheap. The one doing the SZ are more pedantic than me on getting things right which is good, well I keep telling myself it will be.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
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9,033
I don't know what to say.
How can they get it so wrong.
I assume apart from the big error regarding seam sealer and resultant rust soon after, the fit and finish was good at that time?
Why has it taken 3 years to rectify.... I assume because they where doing the rectification at their cost and time, and therefore the quality as slipped?
Do you have to pay for the new panels this last time after their mistake? Surely not!
 

Coxy13

Junior Member
Messages
120
Keep at it DickyB.

Let me tell you, there are people who are just as lazy/****** bags over here. I asked for quotes on a paint job a few months back, he took one look at the car and said $6k for a good job - not concourse. The quotes I had previously from people who are interested are around the 2-3k range.

it is really a shame to see tradespeople pull stunts like this, seems to be getting more and more common, they seem to forget they're there to do a job, and mechanics are a part of this too. The new age mechanics don't want to know about anything that doesn't take a computer and a quick read. Not all mechanics, just a bloody good proportion of it.

Mate keep at it, as I said, I took my old 33 for a run the other day (After telling myself I was going to give it away to my dad) and it re-ignited the flame a bit actually.

Best of luck
 

Gp79

Member
Messages
1,393
That’s terrible, glad you’re keeping going.

They were clearly taking the p1ss at that last ‘effort’ probably on the hope you would just give up and go away.

Maybe it is time to threaten to name and shame all involved.
See if this helps find a resolution, but definitely not in the form of further work with them.

So hard to find someone who wants to do a proper job in any trade, not just make money.
 
Messages
388
Really sorry to hear you're having such rotten luck with some of these service providers who are failing to provide a service. Don't forget 'the squeakiest wheel gets the oil'. Perhaps it isn't your style to go in all guns blazing but if they value their reputation, which any decent business will do, they should know that it's at risk simply from you being honest and open about your experience.

The pictures speak volumes, the panel alignment is shocking, screen fitting pathetic. I really hope you get this sorted. I have quite a lot of legal experience both civil and criminal, if you'd like to PM me for any advice or views please do.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
Especially this one to help you get your bolster seams to fit without bunching:

 
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conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
Dicky I looked into the machines and a used commercial sewer can be had reconditioned for between £4-600. You can do your curtains and cusion covers also ;)
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
Maybe a joint purchase Dicky, I would be interested as its something I want to take up.
 

ZAM400209

Member
Messages
585
well, it's nice to meet professionals

what a relief to finally be in touch with someone who cares

(just reading this thread back from 2013- just think I should mention; I am now a 146 owner :cool:)
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,538
well, it's nice to meet professionals

what a relief to finally be in touch with someone who cares

(just reading this thread back from 2013- just think I should mention; I am now a 146 owner :cool:)

Mrs Catman adored her 145 Cloverleaf. It was super little thing until someone bent it with a van

Shame the body panels are now (I understand) made of purest un-obtanium.

C
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
Liked my 146Ti I had for 4 years as a company car. Was one of the last ones on a W plate in amazon green, did 150k in it and the company sold it for a grand back in 05, was no trouble at all until the last month when the battery was changed, then the electrics went buserk, apparently disturbing the battery knocked a relay/fuse board behind that was heavily corroded.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
I can't believe the figures being quoted, especially as you have done all the stripping, and will be putting it back too.