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Thread: Chapter 14.7 - Spence Car is Home from the Body Shop

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Rogers, AR, USA
    Posts
    577

    Chapter 14.7 - Spence Car is Home from the Body Shop

    It seems that I can't lay low forever using the excuse that I have been on vacation for 6 months...So here's the news. The Spence Car is home from the body shop, this much is true. Here's a quiz, see if you can spot the true statement among the incorrect ones...

    1. We decided against the dark blue and went with a flat white paint job with no stripes.
    2. We decided that the Spence Car is the car that just wouldn't be built, and finishing the job would ruin the mystique of the car.
    3. We fired the painter.

    Despite all my neighbors which believe number 1, the truth is actually number 3. After 13 months of frustration, we towed the car home after a rather tense afternoon with our painter - finishing the loading of the car into the trailer before broaching the topic of "who owes who what". All in all, I think we got what we paid for; the body work is done, the car is primed, blocked, and ready to spray. Heck, the paint is even in my laundry room. Our guy just couldn't swing the time to get it done and the logistics between his shop and the paint booth 20 miles down the road. What is done looks great, but the unfortunate fact is that it isn't done.

    Here's the silver lining though...It goes to another, better painter next Monday for a scheduled 3-week spray session. No more after work, late nights trying to get the car done, this is a dedicated paint shop with exceptional talent...The best part is that it is 3 miles from home.

    So that's the ugly story. Again, what we have looks great, it just looks unfinished. Well, I take that back. The bottom of the hood and the bottom of the trunk lid are done. I'll take solace in that.
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    Last edited by nolastyankee; August 13th, 2006 at 07:13 PM.
    Brian Carlson

    Unique 9122 - 289 FIA - 351W with 8 stack EFI - Formerly known as the "Legendary Spence Car"

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Shepherdsville, KY, USA.
    Posts
    1,725

    Unhappy Easy Question

    What a bummer!

    But easy to believe, the body work on these cars is out of most folks control.

    Hope the next guy does it right.

    Good Luck
    Rick
    427 S/C , 427 Side-oiler, 4 Speed Close Ratio Top Loader, 3:73 Gear
    #4279405

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Roseville, CA, USA.
    Posts
    2,323
    That is a major bummer! Live-n-learn..... sounds like you are on the right track.

    Good luck with the new guy.
    Phil

    427 Roadster, #4279436
    FE Specialties FE
    3:31 and Toploader (wide ratio)

    Roseville (N.Cal)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Lake Bluff - USA
    Posts
    55
    What a bummer -and I thought my 6 months at the body shop/painter was a long time!!!!

    Hopefully some of the 2006 season should still be doable if the paint gets done and you put in a good thrash on the guts.

    Let me know when the Spence car comes to it's summer home in Chicago/GlenView - I would love to see it.

    Dave

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    , Indiana, USA.
    Posts
    1,316
    Brian, I am sorry to hear about the problems.

    Painters smell A LOT of fumes and they are a strange breed for sure.

    Best of luck!
    Last edited by Brent; August 14th, 2006 at 08:43 AM.
    Brent
    "Build em' light and wind em' tight!"
    www.cardomain.com/ride/2660122
    www.cardomain.com/ride/2659961

    Sold Unique 427SC
    #4279401

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    ranburne, alabama, USA.
    Posts
    620

    Whew

    You all got patience.Virtue and good stuff. Tis a bummer---war I say, Will-alabama

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Rogers, AR, USA
    Posts
    577
    Guys,
    Thanks for the sentiments. It's all part of the story of the car. As long as we finish in this year, it will be done in time for it's 15th anniversary.

    Crazy, huh?
    Brian Carlson

    Unique 9122 - 289 FIA - 351W with 8 stack EFI - Formerly known as the "Legendary Spence Car"

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Harrisburg, PA, USA.
    Posts
    657
    I can relate to that. I got fed up waiting at the three month level and picked up my body. I had scheduled a start date with a local bodyshop and the owner required a definate commitment from me that I would have my car at his shop ready to go on the aggreed date. I did and he dropped the ball.
    - Geary

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    andover, ma, USA.
    Posts
    185
    for future builders reference. i used bruce bunn of jodeco auto body in atlanta. he picks the body up at unique and brings it back when done, and unique will mount to the frame before shipping so you dont have to worry about damaging. i'm fussy and the work was flawless including all inner panels, buried stripes, no pinholes,etc. price was competetive and delivery prompt.. most shops dont want cobras because it ties them up. this guy has it down because he specializes. jim o.
    Jim O.
    Unique 427 S/C #4279479
    SA 402FE,Toploader,
    3.53 Posi

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Camden, SC, USA.
    Posts
    314
    I second twanita's comments about Bruce Bunn. He's a super-nice guy who does exceptional work. Too bad they can't all be like him.
    Keith []
    Unique Motorcars 427 SC
    Southern Automotive 462 stroker

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, Canada.
    Posts
    253

    Talking Painters

    Well, after reading all that good stuff about painters, I am thankful
    that I bit the bullet and painted mine myself....done where I wanted it,
    when I wanted it.
    Cheers......Mike
    Mike Geddes

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Pearland, TX, USA.
    Posts
    402
    Brian,

    We are all glad to hear from you. The color on the trunk looks really nice, I can't wait to see pictures of the car when finished. What have you been working on the last several months? I know it isn't like you not to tinker or modify the chassis while the body is away.

    Justin

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Caldwell, Ohio, USA.
    Posts
    196

    Talking

    Glad that my son Greg is our bodyman / painter.
    Work in Progress, 400+hp 351C CHI-3V Heads, Tremec 3550-2 5spd Coal Black by Greg & Jerry Porter

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    columbus, ohio, USA.
    Posts
    694
    Keep the faith Brian... it is going to look great!
    http://www.ohiocobraclub.com
    http://www.londoncobrashow.com

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Roseville, CA, USA.
    Posts
    2,323
    Mike,

    Any photos of your car now that it has been out of cold storage for a couple of months?
    Phil

    427 Roadster, #4279436
    FE Specialties FE
    3:31 and Toploader (wide ratio)

    Roseville (N.Cal)

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Rogers, AR, USA
    Posts
    577
    Phil,
    I spent the morning at the body shop laying out the FIA stripe on the car. Let me tell you, that side to side stripe is a certified P.I.T.A. to put on straight! Now, give that task to an engineer and you have a ~6 hour exercise.

    Bottom line, the car is blue, white meatballs, and will get its 'stripes' today. IT LOOKS UNBELIEVABLE!

    As soon as Patrick gives me some more picture space, I'll have photos...
    Brian Carlson

    Unique 9122 - 289 FIA - 351W with 8 stack EFI - Formerly known as the "Legendary Spence Car"

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Newton, NJ, USA.
    Posts
    174

    Great COBRA Painter!

    I too, contracted with Bruce Bunn of Jodeco Auto Body (Atlanta, GA). If he's good enough the Weaver's - need we say more?

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