Re:Body restorations

["K.G. Nicholson" <kgn@domain.elided>]

Stan 

Sorry to hear of your experiences with Faversham Classics. It sounds most
unsatisfactory.  I have mainly dealt with Abinger Hammer Motors in Surrey. 
(Tel 01306 730427) Roger Morrish is the owner and has been a top stag
specialist for 20 years or so having previously been trained by Jaguar. He is
not cheap however - but his quality is absolutely first class and I would
guarantee that you would not have had a similar response from him regarding
your valves. He always stands by his work.

When I was looking to restore my first stag I was quoted around 6000 pounds by
Faversham for a complete rebuild and paint - excluding all mechanical work
which I was prepared to do myself.  Roger wanted around 10,000 pounds for a
complete rebuild excluding mechanical.  He always seems have a car in the
workshops being restored so there are people prepared to pay for a quality job
on a stag.  I found it very difficult to accept that it was better to buy
another car having owned the first one for 10 years or so but the financial
side of professional restoration just does not add up.  Only when stags are
valued at 15000 will it be financially justifiable or worth it. 

Another company that I have had contact with is David Carter in Slinfold West
Sussex (not East Kent I know!) He advertises in the back of the SOC magazine
and might be worth contacting - he does not charge VAT but I cannot vouch for
his quality other than to say his restored cars seem to win quite a number of
concours awards.

Good luck and let us know how you get on. 

Regards 

Graham Nicholson