C-1 hardtop restoration

[Vette66AirCoupe]

I'm looking for a better deal than the one I learned about at Carlisle for a hardtop restoration on my '60. I have a top that needs the works. It's not even all together but I think I have all of the parts. New paint, headliner and glass are the minimum. The fiberglas looks like it's fine from what I can see through the paint that has blistered off of it. I had a fellow offer me one for $3500 completely restored with glass dated 5/59. My car was built in 10/59. Is that realistic? A trusted dealer said he thought the price was too high. The guy who wants to sell the restored top says "You could probably get $1200 on e-bay for that top." The dealer says that sounds high too. Also, I'd want to change the headliner to red from black on the restored top being offered to me so $3500 isn't the end of the expense. Plan B would be to just hold onto what I've got since I probably won't use it too much anyway and I'll pass it on if I ever sell it. Opinions? :confused

 

[BarryK]

Joe

try contacting Joe at Joe's garage in Newport. He specializes in Vette bodywork and paint plus restorations. He is where i'm taking BABY for my body & paint repairs.
His number is 993-0885.
He is slow and always has a very big backlog of jobs trying to get into his shop but his work is suppose to be absolutely top-notch. I figure if the duPonts can send their classic and show cars to him than he's good enough for me, plus a lot of the guys at the Vette club have recommended him.

Barry

 

[Vette66AirCoupe]

Thanks Barry, I did think of that shop but I'm not sure I want to spend "DuPont" style money on this job. That's why I'm asking about the pricing. If you don't mind asking him for a ball park estimate on a compete restoration when you drop off your car I'd appreciate it.

 

[BarryK]

Terry
you know me and know I don't have DuPont style money either!
Joe seems to be very reasonable on his prices (not CHEAP, but not overpriced like a lot of other shops), especially considering the quality level of his work. In fact, a lot of people who have used him tell me that Joe is actually undercharging for his work and should be getting a lot more but I'm not the one to tell him that - at least until AFTER he does BABY!
:L

When I drop my car off with him i'll see if I can get a ballpark price range from him but he usually hesitates giving those until he can see what he has to work with. I tried that for Jim (Chev66JB) because Jim needed a paint job on his Chevelle but Joe was only able to give a VERY ROUGH estimate unless he saw the car.

WA HOO!!!!! just as I was typing this Joe actually called me and said he was ready for me to bring my car in!! I've been waiting since the first week in June for him to get room in his shop for my car so BABY is going in first thing tomorrow morning.

I'll try to ask for a pricing for you Terry but you are probably still best off taking the top over to him to look at and give an price quote after he gets to see it.
If nothing else, it's an experience going to his shop and seeing 5-7 C1's, a few C2's, and maybe a couple of C3's all sitting there getting worked on.
Best thing about Joe's shop is that he is a real perfectionist (which is why is is very slow) and he has no other employees. He does all the work himself so you know the quality leaving the shop is all good.

 

[richscorvettes]

You can contact Glassworks at this site http://www.thehardtopshop.comfor information on the cost of their restoration. They also sell restoration parts and have restored hardtops for sale. Restoring a hardtop isn't inexpensive.

Rich Lagasse

 

[JohnZ]

I had a fellow offer me one for $3500 completely restored with glass dated 5/59. My car was built in 10/59. Is that realistic? A trusted dealer said he thought the price was too high. The guy who wants to sell the restored top says "You could probably get $1200 on e-bay for that top." The dealer says that sounds high too. Also, I'd want to change the headliner to red from black on the restored top being offered to me so $3500 isn't the end of the expense. Plan B would be to just hold onto what I've got since I probably won't use it too much anyway and I'll pass it on if I ever sell it. Opinions? :confused

Most shops won't even TOUCH a C1 hardtop, as restoring one is a very tedious and time-consuming proposition due to all the tiny parts, stainless steel rivets, etc. $3500 for a fully/properly-restored hardtop is a decent price - that's about what Glassworks gets to restore one (and you provide the top). Al Knoch has just introduced correct contour-molded headliners for C1 hardtops; the previous ones were flat, and were a real chore to install without wrinkles/bubbles.